Manage your adventuring gear effectively! This calculator helps you determine your carrying capacity based on your D&D 5th Edition Strength score and calculate encumbrance effects.
Your character's Strength ability score (e.g., 10, 14, 18).
The combined weight of all items your character is carrying, wearing, or wielding.
Yes
No
Heavy armor typically imposes disadvantage on Stealth checks. Its weight is already included in your gear weight but might affect carrying capacity calculations in some homebrew rules. This calculator assumes standard 5e rules where it doesn't directly alter the *base* carry capacity itself beyond its weight contribution.
Your Carrying Capacity & Encumbrance Status
Key Values:
Key Assumptions:
Formula Used: Your carrying capacity is your Strength score multiplied by 15 (in pounds). This is your 'normal' carrying limit. Being encumbered means you're carrying more than half your maximum capacity, and heavily encumbered means you're carrying more than your maximum capacity.
Encumbrance Levels vs. Strength Score
Strength Score vs. Carrying Capacity (lbs)
Strength Score
Carrying Capacity (lbs)
Half Capacity (lbs)
Heavily Encumbered (lbs)
5e Carry Weight Calculator
The 5e Carry Weight Calculator is an essential tool for any Dungeon Master or player navigating the intricacies of Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition. Understanding your character's carrying capacity, often referred to as encumbrance, is crucial for managing gear, planning expeditions, and ensuring your adventurers don't become bogged down by their loot. This calculator simplifies the process, providing clear insights into your weight limits and the consequences of exceeding them.
What is the 5e Carry Weight Calculator?
The 5e Carry Weight Calculator is a specialized tool designed to compute the maximum weight a character in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition can carry based on their Strength score. It helps players and Dungeon Masters determine:
The character's standard carrying capacity.
The threshold for being considered 'encumbered'.
The threshold for being considered 'heavily encumbered'.
The specific penalties associated with each level of encumbrance.
Who should use it? Any player character or NPC whose inventory might become a significant factor in gameplay. This includes characters who gather a lot of loot, adventurers planning long journeys, or players who want a precise understanding of their character's physical limitations. Dungeon Masters can use it to quickly assess the capabilities of monsters or NPCs.
Common misconceptions: Many players assume encumbrance only matters when carrying treasure. In reality, even standard adventuring gear like armor, weapons, rations, and adventuring kits contribute to total weight. Another misconception is that encumbrance is solely about a hard limit; it's a tiered system with progressive penalties designed to encourage strategic inventory management, not just a binary "can/cannot carry" rule.
5e Carry Weight Calculator Formula and Mathematical Explanation
The core of the 5e carry weight system is directly tied to a character's Strength score. The Dungeon Master's Guide (DMG) and the Player's Handbook (PHB) provide clear guidelines for calculating these limits. The formula is straightforward:
Carrying Capacity = Strength Score × 15
This result is typically expressed in pounds (lbs). Let's break down the components:
Carrying Capacity: This is the maximum weight, in pounds, that your character can carry without any penalty.
Strength Score: This is the numerical value of your character's Strength ability score.
15: This is a constant multiplier provided by the D&D 5e rules.
Once the Carrying Capacity is determined, two additional thresholds are established:
Encumbered: A character is encumbered if they are carrying a weight up to twice (2x) their Carrying Capacity. Specifically, any weight above their Carrying Capacity but at or below twice their Carrying Capacity.
Heavily Encumbered: A character is heavily encumbered if they are carrying a weight more than twice (2x) their Carrying Capacity.
The associated penalties are:
Encumbered: The character's speed is reduced by 10 feet.
Heavily Encumbered: The character's speed is reduced by 20 feet, and they have disadvantage on ability checks, attack rolls, and saving throws that use Strength or Dexterity.
Variables Table:
Variable
Meaning
Unit
Typical Range (D&D 5e)
Strength Score
Character's Strength ability score
Score (Integer)
3 – 30
Carrying Capacity
Maximum weight without penalty
Pounds (lbs)
45 lbs (Str 3) – 450 lbs (Str 30)
Encumbrance Threshold
Weight limit for normal carrying
Pounds (lbs)
Carrying Capacity
Heavy Encumbrance Threshold
Weight limit before heavily encumbered penalties
Pounds (lbs)
2 × Carrying Capacity
Gear Weight
Total weight of items carried
Pounds (lbs)
Variable, depends on player choices
Speed Reduction (Encumbered)
Penalty to movement speed
Feet (ft)
10 ft
Speed Reduction (Heavily Encumbered)
Penalty to movement speed
Feet (ft)
20 ft
Practical Examples (Real-World Use Cases)
Let's illustrate the 5e carry weight calculations with practical scenarios for adventurers:
Example 1: The Resourceful Rogue
Scenario: Zaltar, a rogue with a Strength score of 10, has just finished a dungeon crawl. He's gathered several valuable items:
Dagger: 1 lb
Shortbow: 2 lbs
Arrows (20): 1 lb
Leather Armor: 10 lbs
Thieves' Tools: 1 lb
Backpack: 5 lbs
Rations (5 days): 5 lbs
Waterskin: 5 lbs
Rope (50 ft): 10 lbs
Bag of Holding (contains misc. gems and a small statue): 20 lbs
Results Interpretation: Zaltar's total gear weight is 60 lbs. This is well below his carrying capacity of 150 lbs. He is not encumbered at all. He can comfortably carry much more before his speed is affected. He could even pick up another 90 lbs of loot before becoming encumbered (150 – 60 = 90).
Example 2: The Mighty Barbarian
Scenario: Grok, a barbarian with a Strength score of 18, has found a dragon's hoard. He wants to carry as much as possible back to town.
Results Interpretation: Grok's total gear weight is 125 lbs. His carrying capacity is 270 lbs. He is not encumbered. However, he is quite close to the 135 lb mark where he would become encumbered (speed reduced by 10 ft). He still has 145 lbs of carrying capacity before reaching the encumbered threshold (270 – 125 = 145) and a massive 415 lbs before being heavily encumbered (540 – 125 = 415). Grok can definitely afford to pick up more loot!
How to Use This 5e Carry Weight Calculator
Using the 5e Carry Weight Calculator is simple and takes just a few moments:
Enter Strength Score: Input your character's Strength score into the first field. This is the most critical factor in determining carrying capacity.
Enter Total Gear Weight: Sum the weight of all items your character is carrying, wearing, or wielding, and enter this total into the second field. Be thorough!
Specify Heavy Armor: Use the dropdown to indicate if your character is wearing heavy armor. While it doesn't change the core formula, it's a good reminder of potential associated penalties (like disadvantage on Stealth).
Click Calculate: The calculator will instantly process your inputs.
How to Read Results:
Primary Result: This tells you your current status: "Not Encumbered," "Encumbered," or "Heavily Encumbered."
Carrying Capacity: The maximum weight you can carry without any penalties.
Half Capacity: The weight at which you become encumbered (speed reduced by 10 ft).
Double Capacity: The weight at which you become heavily encumbered (speed reduced by 20 ft, disadvantage on relevant checks/attacks/saves).
Strength Multiplier: Confirms the standard 15 lbs per Strength point used in the calculation.
Decision-Making Guidance: Use the results to make informed choices about your inventory. If you're close to the encumbrance threshold, consider if you really need every item. Can you stash some gear? Can you afford to leave less critical items behind? If you're heavily encumbered, you'll need to drop items or find a way to lighten your load immediately to avoid significant combat disadvantages.
Key Factors That Affect 5e Carry Weight Results
While the core calculation is simple, several factors influence how players *manage* their encumbrance and the practical implications:
Strength Score: This is the primary driver. A character with Strength 18 has twice the carrying capacity of a character with Strength 9. Prioritizing Strength can be beneficial for heavily armored or loot-carrying characters.
Weight of Individual Items: Even with high Strength, carrying too many heavy items can quickly lead to encumbrance. A single suit of plate armor weighs 65 lbs, consuming a significant portion of a lower-Strength character's capacity.
Adventuring Kit Contents: Standard adventuring gear (backpacks, tents, bedrolls, rations, waterskins, rope, torches) adds up. Players must decide if the utility of these items outweighs the weight penalty they might incur.
Loot and Treasure: This is often the biggest culprit. Gold, gems, art objects, and magic items found during adventures can rapidly increase a character's gear weight. This is where items like Bags of Holding become invaluable for managing bulk.
Magic Items: Beyond utility items, magic items themselves have weight. A magical sword, armor, or amulet contributes to the total. However, items that grant bonuses to carrying capacity or reduce the weight of other items can be game-changers.
Player Strategy and Roleplaying: Some players meticulously track every ounce, while others prefer a more narrative approach. The calculator provides the data, but the player decides how strictly to adhere to it, often balancing realism with fun. For instance, a player might "handwave" the weight of common rations if they are not a focus of the game.
DM Rulings and House Rules: Some Dungeon Masters implement stricter encumbrance rules, perhaps reducing the multiplier or adding penalties for specific items like heavy armor even if the total weight is below the threshold. Always clarify encumbrance rules with your DM.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the base multiplier for carrying capacity in D&D 5e?
The base multiplier is 15 lbs per point of Strength score. So, a character with Strength 10 has a carrying capacity of 10 x 15 = 150 lbs.
Does wearing heavy armor affect my carry weight differently?
In standard 5e rules, heavy armor's weight simply adds to your total gear weight. It doesn't change the formula for carrying capacity itself, but its significant weight can quickly lead to encumbrance. Some DMs may apply specific rules or penalties related to heavy armor beyond its weight.
What happens if I am encumbered?
If you are carrying more than your carrying capacity but not more than twice that amount, your speed is reduced by 10 feet.
What are the penalties for being heavily encumbered?
If you are carrying more than twice your carrying capacity, your speed is reduced by 20 feet, and you have disadvantage on ability checks, attack rolls, and saving throws that use Strength or Dexterity.
How do I calculate the weight of coins?
The Player's Handbook states that 10 coins weigh 1 lb. This applies to gold, platinum, and electrum. Silver and copper coins are assumed to be negligible in weight for this purpose.
Can I use a Bag of Holding to bypass encumbrance?
A Bag of Holding has a carrying capacity of 500 lbs. While it can hold a tremendous amount of gear, the *weight* of the items *inside* the Bag of Holding still counts towards your character's total encumbrance limit. The bag itself just makes it easier to carry many small items without taking up many item slots.
What about Strength-boosting magic items like Gauntlets of Ogre Power?
If a magic item sets your Strength score to a specific value (like Gauntlets of Ogre Power setting it to 19), you use that set score for calculations, including carrying capacity. If an item *enhances* your Strength score (e.g., a Potion of Strength that temporarily raises it from 16 to 20), you use the higher, temporary score.
Should I track encumbrance strictly in my game?
This is entirely up to the DM and the group's playstyle. Some groups find strict encumbrance tracking adds realism and strategic depth, while others find it tedious and prefer to focus on other aspects of the game. The calculator provides the means to track it accurately if desired.
Related Tools and Internal Resources
Explore these related resources to enhance your D&D 5e experience: