Laundry Load Calculator
Weigh a laundry load from the items going in and check it against your washer capacity.
Returns fill percentage, detergent amount, and water temperature.
Laundry load size is determined by the weight of dry clothing relative to your washer’s rated capacity. Overloading a washer is the leading cause of premature motor failure, poor cleaning, and excessive wrinkling.
Load Size Guidelines:
Fill Level = Weight of Laundry / Washer Capacity × 100%
Washer capacity by type:
| Washer Size | Drum Volume | Rated Load Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Compact | under 3.0 cu ft | ~8 lbs |
| Standard | 3.0–4.5 cu ft | ~14 lbs |
| Large | 4.5–5.5 cu ft | ~18 lbs |
| Extra large | 5.5+ cu ft | ~22 lbs |
Clothing weight reference (dry):
| Item | Approx. Dry Weight |
|---|---|
| T-shirt or casual top | 6–8 oz (0.4 lbs) |
| Jeans or trousers | 1.5–2 lbs (1.8 lbs) |
| Bath towel | 1–1.5 lbs (1.25 lbs) |
| Bed sheet | 1.5–2 lbs (1.8 lbs) |
| Socks (pair) | 2–3 oz (0.15 lbs) |
| Sweatshirt | 1–1.5 lbs |
| Dress shirt | 8–12 oz |
| Underwear | 2–3 oz |
The figure in brackets is what this calculator uses, sitting mid-range so a mixed load averages out. Wet weight is a different matter entirely, roughly double for cotton and up to three times for towels, which is what the drum is really carrying by the end of the wash.
Worked example: A standard 4.0 cu ft washer, rated around 14 lbs. 4 pairs of jeans (7.2 lbs) + 8 tops (3.2 lbs) + 6 pairs of socks (0.9 lbs) = 11.3 lbs, which is 81% of rating. Comfortably within capacity, and the numbers match what the calculator returns for those same entries.
Weight is only half the story. The percentages above are against the manufacturer’s rated weight, and hitting 100% of it is normal for ordinary clothing. Bulk is the other limit, and it bites first: a winter coat or a duvet fills the drum long before it troubles the scale. The practical rule is that you should be able to fit a flat hand between the top of the load and the drum roof. If you cannot, it is overloaded regardless of what any percentage says.
Front-loaders are more sensitive to overloading than top-loaders. When in doubt, split into two smaller loads. The extra cycle is cheaper than a washer repair.
How we build and check this calculator
This calculator runs entirely in your browser, so the numbers you enter stay on your device. The math behind it is written by hand and tested against worked examples and standard references before the page goes live.
SuperGlobalCalculator is independently built and maintained. See how we build and verify our calculators.