Payload Capacity Calculator
Find a vehicle's payload from GVWR and curb weight.
Results update as you type.
How it works
Payload capacity is the maximum weight of passengers and cargo you can safely put in or on a vehicle, and this calculator finds it. You enter the vehicle's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) and its curb weight, and optionally your current load, and it returns the payload capacity and how much capacity remains. The calculation subtracts curb weight (the vehicle empty, with fluids but no people or cargo) from GVWR (the maximum total weight the manufacturer rates the vehicle to carry, including itself). Whatever is left is your payload — and importantly, it includes the driver and all passengers, not just cargo in the bed or trunk, a point many people overlook when loading a truck or SUV. Exceeding payload strains the brakes, tires, suspension, and drivetrain, hurts handling and stopping distance, and can be unsafe and illegal. Note that payload is different from towing capacity, which is the weight you can pull on a trailer, though the tongue weight of a trailer counts against payload. You can find your exact GVWR and curb weight on the driver's door jamb sticker or in the owner's manual. This calculator helps you load safely and check whether your passengers and gear fit within the limit. Enter the GVWR and curb weight to find the payload.
Payload = GVWR − curb weight
Payload capacity is the vehicle's gross vehicle weight rating minus its curb weight. GVWR is the maximum total weight the vehicle is rated to carry including itself, and curb weight is the vehicle empty, so the difference is everything you can safely add — passengers plus cargo.
Source:Vehicle weight ratings
We review all our tools from time to time to ensure accuracy.
Worked example
How to use this calculator
- 1
Enter your values
Enter gvwr (gross vehicle weight rating) and curb weight.
- 2
Adjust the options
Adjust current load (passengers + cargo) if they apply — sensible defaults are already set.
- 3
Read your result
Payload capacity updates instantly as you type — no button to press.
Frequently asked questions
How do you calculate payload capacity?
Subtract the vehicle's curb weight from its GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating). For example, a 7000-pound GVWR minus a 5000-pound curb weight gives a 2000-pound payload capacity. This is the total weight of passengers and cargo the vehicle can safely carry. Both figures are listed on the door jamb sticker or in the owner's manual.
Does payload include passengers?
Yes. Payload capacity covers everything you add to the empty vehicle, which includes the driver, all passengers, cargo, and accessories like a bed cover or toolbox. Many people mistakenly count only cargo, then overload the vehicle once people are aboard. Always add up passenger and cargo weight together when checking against your payload limit.
What is the difference between payload and towing capacity?
Payload is the weight carried in or on the vehicle itself, while towing capacity is the weight pulled behind it on a trailer. They are separate ratings, but they interact: a trailer's tongue weight presses down on the hitch and counts against payload. So towing a heavy trailer reduces how much passenger and cargo weight you can also carry.
What happens if I exceed payload capacity?
Overloading stresses the tires, brakes, suspension, axles, and frame, increasing the risk of tire failure, brake fade, and loss of control, and it lengthens stopping distance. It also accelerates wear, may void warranties, and can be illegal. Staying within the rated payload keeps the vehicle safe to handle and stop and protects its components from damage.
Where do I find my GVWR and curb weight?
The GVWR is printed on the certification sticker in the driver's door jamb and in the owner's manual. Curb weight is often in the manual or manufacturer specifications, though the most accurate figure comes from weighing your specific vehicle empty at a certified scale, since options and accessories change it. Use accurate numbers for a reliable payload result.