Luggage Weight Budget Calculator
Calculate usable packing weight from airline allowance minus bag tare weight in lbs or kg.
Returns remaining weight budget for checked bag allowance.
Every kilogram matters when flying. Knowing your exact packing budget, after subtracting the weight of the empty bag itself, is what keeps you off the wrong side of the check-in scale.
How airline baggage weight limits work:
Most airlines charge significant fees for overweight baggage. The fee structure varies widely:
- Budget European carriers (Ryanair, EasyJet): €10–€30 per kg over the limit
- US domestic carriers: $75–$200 for the first overweight bag
- International carriers: Fees can be $100+ per overweight bag
Standard baggage allowances:
Checked baggage:
- Economy (most US carriers): 23 kg (50 lbs) per bag
- Economy (many international): 20–23 kg (44–50 lbs)
- Business class: 30–32 kg (66–70 lbs)
- Premium economy: 23–30 kg (50–66 lbs)
Carry-on baggage:
- Most airlines: 7–10 kg (15–22 lbs) carry-on limit
- US domestic flights: Size restrictions but often no weight limit on carry-on
- Budget airlines: 10 kg or less strict limit
Typical bag tare weights:
| Bag Type | Typical Empty Weight |
|---|---|
| Small carry-on (55cm) | 1.5–3.5 kg |
| Large carry-on (78cm) | 2.5–4.0 kg |
| Medium checked (66cm) | 2.5–4.5 kg |
| Large checked (76cm) | 3.5–6.0 kg |
| XL/Extra large checked | 5.0–8.0 kg |
| Lightweight carry-on | 1.0–1.8 kg |
| Backpack (40L) | 1.0–2.0 kg |
Pro tips:
- Weigh your bag at home with a luggage scale before heading to the airport
- Wear your heaviest items on the plane (coat, boots, sweater) to free up bag weight
- If overweight, move heavy items (books, shoes, toiletries) to carry-on
- Check your airline’s exact allowance, because it varies by route, fare class and frequent flyer status
- Liquids in carry-on: typically max 100ml per container, all fitting in one 1-liter clear bag (EU/UK/AU rules)
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.