Laundry Load Calculator
Calculate load size, detergent, and water temperature for any laundry type.
Covers cotton, synthetics, and delicates for top-load and front-load washers.
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%
Washers should be filled to no more than 75–80% of drum capacity by volume. The drum needs empty space for water to circulate and clothes to tumble freely.
Washer capacity by type:
| Washer Size | Capacity | Approximate Load Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Small (compact) | 2.0–2.5 cu ft | 7–9 lbs |
| Medium | 3.0–3.5 cu ft | 10–12 lbs |
| Large | 4.0–4.5 cu ft | 13–15 lbs |
| Extra large | 5.0–6.0 cu ft | 16–20 lbs |
Clothing weight reference:
| Item | Approx. Dry Weight |
|---|---|
| T-shirt | 6–8 oz |
| Jeans (regular) | 1.5–2 lbs |
| Bath towel | 1–1.5 lbs |
| Sweatshirt | 1–1.5 lbs |
| Dress shirt | 8–12 oz |
| Underwear | 2–3 oz |
| Socks (pair) | 2–3 oz |
Worked example: Washer capacity: 4.2 cu ft (large) Max load weight: ~14 lbs Contents: 4 jeans (6 lbs) + 6 shirts (3 lbs) + 6 T-shirts (2.5 lbs) = 11.5 lbs → within capacity
Load sizing rules:
- Small load: Drum 1/3 full, use a smaller water level setting
- Medium load: Drum 1/2 full, standard setting
- Large load: Drum 3/4 full, maximum effective capacity
- Never pack clothes past the drum rim: this is an overload
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.
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