Backpack Weight Calculator
Split your load into base weight and consumables, see the total as a share of your body weight, and check where your kit sits on the ultralight-to-traditional scale.
Carry less, hike farther
Every kilogram on your back costs energy on every step. Separating base weight from consumables shows you which weight you can design away with gear choices and which you simply have to carry — and seeing the total against your body weight tells you whether the load is realistic for the day.
See what that load costs in energy with the Hiking Calorie Burn Calculator, and right-size the heaviest consumable with the Water Needs Calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between base weight and total pack weight?
Base weight is everything in your pack that does not get used up — the pack itself, shelter, sleep system, and spare clothing. Consumables are the things that shrink as you go: food, water, and stove fuel. Total pack weight is base weight plus consumables, and it is heaviest at the trailhead on day one. Backpackers track base weight because it is the part you can actually cut through gear choices.
What counts as ultralight, lightweight, or traditional?
The common convention measures base weight: under about 4.5 kg (10 lb) is ultralight, under about 9 kg (20 lb) is lightweight, and 9 kg or more is traditional. These are rough community labels, not rules — a well-chosen 7 kg kit can be safer and more comfortable than a stripped 4 kg one. The calculator classifies your base weight so you can see where your setup sits.
How heavy should my pack be relative to my body weight?
A widely quoted comfort guideline is to keep a loaded pack at or below roughly 20% of your body weight, with day packs often nearer 10%. It is a starting point, not a hard limit: trained hikers routinely carry more, and terrain, fitness, and trip length all matter. The tool flags when your total crosses the 20% mark so you can decide whether to shed weight.
Where should I cut weight first?
Start with the 'big three' — pack, shelter, and sleep system — where the largest single savings usually hide, then look hard at consumables, since water is heavy and often over-carried. Use the water needs calculator to avoid hauling more litres than the conditions require, and the calorie tool to pack enough food without a surplus.
Guidance only. The body-weight percentage and base-weight classes are community conventions, not limits — your own fitness, terrain, and trip length decide what is sensible to carry.