Truck Payload Calculator

Payload is how much weight a truck can carry — people, cargo, accessories and the downward weight of a trailer hitch — without going over its gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). This calculator subtracts everything you plan to load from the payload capacity and shows how much is left, or how far over you are.

How to use this tool

1. Choose whether you know the GVWR and curb weight, or the payload figure from the door-jamb sticker.
2. Enter the combined weight of the driver and passengers.
3. Enter the cargo and any aftermarket accessories such as a topper, toolbox or rack.
4. If towing, enter the loaded trailer weight and the tongue or pin weight percentage.

Formula

Payload capacity = GVWR − Curb weight

Tongue weight = Loaded trailer weight × Tongue %

Remaining payload = Payload capacity − (People + Cargo + Accessories + Tongue weight)

Curb weight here is the truck with fuel and fluids but no people or cargo. If a scale ticket already includes accessories, do not add their weight again. The entered tongue/pin percentage estimates downward hitch load; it does not select the correct loading distribution. This tool supports shares from 0% to 40%.

Example

A pickup with a 7,000 lb GVWR and a 5,200 lb curb weight has 1,800 lb of payload. Two people (350 lb), 400 lb of cargo and a 100 lb toolbox use 850 lb. Towing a 6,000 lb trailer at 12% tongue weight adds 720 lb, so the load totals 1,570 lb and 230 lb of payload remains — 87.2% used.