Inventory Weight Calculator

Many RPGs and survival games use an inventory weight system to limit what your character can carry. Understanding the math behind carry capacity helps you optimize your loadout — maximizing combat effectiveness without hitting the encumbrance limit that slows you down or locks your character in place.

Formula: Current Weight = Σ (Item Weight × Quantity) Remaining Capacity = Max Carry Weight − Current Weight Carry Utilization % = (Current Weight ÷ Max Carry Weight) × 100

For loot optimization: Value per Weight = Item Value ÷ Item Weight

The higher the Value/Weight ratio, the more efficient an item is to carry — this is your priority score for deciding what to pick up or drop.

What each variable means:

• Max Carry Weight: your character’s base carrying capacity, often modified by Strength stat, perks, bags, or mount/companion overflow.
• Item Weight: shown in the inventory screen, often in lbs or kg depending on the game.
• Value per Weight: a metric borrowed from real-world logistics; prioritize high-ratio items when encumbered.

Worked example: Character max carry: 150 lbs. Current load: 112 lbs. Remaining: 38 lbs.

The room you have left is what decides this, and it is the part people skip. Say the floor has three swords at 12 lbs and 300 gold each, and one suit of armor at 30 lbs and 600 gold.

• Armor alone: 30 lbs, 600 gold, and 8 lbs of space wasted
• Three swords: 36 lbs, 900 gold, and 2 lbs wasted

The swords win, and the gold-per-pound figure told you so in advance: 25 gold/lb for the sword against 20 gold/lb for the armor.

Here is the trap, though. Take away two of the swords and the answer flips: one sword is 300 gold and the armor is 600, both fit in 38 lbs, so you take the armor. Value per weight only decides it when you have enough of the high-ratio item to actually fill the bag. With a single copy of each, the higher total price wins and the ratio is a distraction.

Common game mechanics:

• Skyrim: base carry weight 300, plus 5 for every level-up you spend on Stamina. Enter the number of Stamina level-ups, not your Stamina bar.
• Fallout 4: base 200 lbs plus 10 per point of Strength
• The Witcher 3: base limit around 60 units, before saddlebags and Roach
• Encumbrance penalties vary: slower movement, stamina drain, no fast travel, or a full stop