Payload Calculator

Select your vehicle and enter your load. The calculator shows how much payload capacity you have left.

Your Vehicle

Your Load

Estimated at 150 lbs per person
The downward force your trailer puts on the hitch. Usually 10-15% of trailer weight.
Manufacturer payload specs
Free, instant results
Includes tongue weight
Disclaimer: Specs sourced from manufacturer towing guides and verified against official documentation. Towing capacity varies by configuration, options, and accessories. Always verify with your owner's manual before towing. TowingSpecs is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any vehicle manufacturer.

What Is Payload Capacity?

Payload capacity is the maximum weight your vehicle can carry in and on itself. That includes passengers, cargo in the bed or trunk, aftermarket accessories, and tongue weight from a trailer. It does not include the weight of the trailer itself (that's towing capacity).

Exceeding your payload rating puts extra stress on your brakes, suspension, and tires. It can cause handling problems and longer stopping distances, especially when towing.

Why Tongue Weight Counts Against Payload

When you hitch a trailer, the tongue pushes down on your vehicle's hitch receiver. That downward force is real weight that your truck has to carry, just like cargo in the bed. A 6,000 lb trailer with 10% tongue weight adds 600 lbs to your payload before you put a single item in the bed.

This is why the payload calculator includes a tongue weight field. Calculate your tongue weight if you don't know it.

Frequently Asked Questions

The industry standard for payload calculations is 150 lbs per occupant. Your actual passengers may weigh more or less. If you need a precise number, weigh your actual load on a truck scale.

Some manufacturer documents don't include per-trim payload figures. If your vehicle shows "N/A" for payload, check your owner's manual or the sticker inside the driver's door jamb for your specific vehicle's payload rating.

Payload is how much weight your vehicle can carry on and inside itself. Towing capacity is how much it can pull behind it. They're separate limits, and you need to stay within both. Look up your towing capacity here.