DnD 5e Carry Weight Calculator
Optimize your inventory management with our precision 5th Edition encumbrance tool
Current Load / Max Capacity
What is a dnd 5e carry weight calculator?
A dnd 5e carry weight calculator is an essential digital tool for Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition players and Dungeon Masters (DMs) used to determine how much equipment a character can physically carry before suffering penalties. While many tables "hand-wave" encumbrance, strict tracking is crucial for survival-focused campaigns, West Marches games, and organized play.
This tool automatically computes your Carrying Capacity based on your Strength score, creature size, and special traits like Powerful Build. It also handles the math for Variant Encumbrance rules, where carrying even a moderate amount of gear can reduce your speed and impose disadvantages on physical checks.
Who should use this calculator?
- Players managing complex inventories with heavy armor and thousands of coins.
- Dungeon Masters auditing character sheets for realism.
- Homebrew Creators testing the balance of new items or races.
dnd 5e carry weight calculator Formula and Math
The core mechanics for encumbrance in 5th Edition rely on simple multipliers applied to your Strength score. However, size categories and variant rules add layers of complexity.
Standard Rules
Under standard rules, the formula is straightforward:
Variant Encumbrance Rules
If your table uses the "Variant Encumbrance" rule (PHB p. 176), there are two thresholds:
Heavily Encumbered = Strength Score × 10
Max Capacity = Strength Score × 15
Variables Table
| Variable | Meaning | Unit | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strength (STR) | Character's physical power | Score | 1 – 30 |
| Size Modifier | Multiplier based on creature size | Factor | 0.5x (Tiny) – 8x (Gargantuan) |
| Coin Weight | Weight of currency carried | lbs | 50 coins = 1 lb |
| Push/Drag/Lift | Max load for moving heavy objects | lbs | 30 × STR |
Practical Examples (Real-World Use Cases)
Example 1: The Human Fighter (Standard Rules)
Consider Valeros, a Human Fighter with a Strength score of 16. He is wearing Chain Mail (55 lbs), carrying a Shield (6 lbs), a Longsword (3 lbs), and an Explorer's Pack (59 lbs).
- Strength: 16
- Total Gear Weight: 55 + 6 + 3 + 59 = 123 lbs
- Max Capacity: 16 × 15 = 240 lbs
- Result: Valeros is carrying 123 lbs out of 240 lbs. He is Unencumbered.
Example 2: The Gnome Wizard (Variant Encumbrance)
Now consider Nim, a Small Gnome Wizard with a Strength of 8. The party is using Variant Encumbrance rules. Nim carries a component pouch (2 lbs), a spellbook (3 lbs), and found 1,000 gold pieces in a chest.
- Strength: 8
- Coin Weight: 1,000 coins / 50 = 20 lbs
- Total Weight: 2 + 3 + 20 = 25 lbs
- Encumbered Threshold: 8 × 5 = 40 lbs
- Result: Nim is carrying 25 lbs, which is under the 40 lb threshold. Nim is Unencumbered. However, if Nim picks up just 16 more lbs of loot, speed drops by 10 ft.
How to Use This dnd 5e carry weight calculator
Follow these simple steps to get an accurate reading of your character's physical limits:
- Enter Strength Score: Input your base ability score, not the modifier.
- Select Size: Choose your creature size. Most player characters are Medium or Small (which share the same 1x multiplier).
- Check Traits: If your race has "Powerful Build" (like Goliaths), check the box to double your capacity.
- Input Weight: Enter the total weight of your armor, weapons, and backpack.
- Add Coins: Enter the exact number of CP, SP, EP, GP, and PP. The calculator handles the 50:1 conversion automatically.
- Select Ruleset: Toggle between Standard and Variant rules to see how penalties apply to your movement speed.
Key Factors That Affect dnd 5e carry weight calculator Results
Several mechanics interact to determine your final carrying capacity. Understanding these factors helps in making strategic decisions about loot and gear.
1. Strength Score Increases
Every single point of Strength adds 15 lbs to your maximum capacity. Using an Ability Score Improvement (ASI) to boost Strength from 16 to 18 grants an extra 30 lbs of space—often worth more than a magic item.
2. Magical Assistance
Items like the Bag of Holding or Portable Hole create extradimensional spaces that ignore the weight of their contents (up to a limit). This calculator determines what you are physically holding; put heavy items in the bag to reduce your calculated load.
3. Creature Size Multipliers
Size matters significantly. Large creatures carry 2x as much, while Tiny creatures carry 0.5x. Polymorphing into a Huge beast (4x) can be a strategic way to move heavy obstacles or loot hoards.
4. Powerful Build Trait
Races like Firbolgs, Goliaths, and Orcs possess the "Powerful Build" trait. This treats them as one size larger for carrying capacity. A Medium Goliath calculates weight as if they were Large (2x multiplier), doubling their efficiency compared to a Human with the same Strength.
5. Coin Weight Accumulation
Coins are often overlooked. 50 coins weigh 1 pound. A dragon's hoard of 100,000 copper pieces is worth only 1,000 GP but weighs 2,000 lbs. You often need to leave cheap currency behind to stay mobile.
6. Variant Encumbrance Penalties
In Variant rules, the first threshold (5x STR) drops speed by 10 ft. The second (10x STR) drops speed by 20 ft and imposes Disadvantage on STR, DEX, and CON checks. This makes dumping your backpack before combat a tactical necessity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does armor you are wearing count towards encumbrance?
Yes. By Rules as Written (RAW), armor worn counts toward your total weight carried. Some homebrew tables rule otherwise (like Dwarves ignoring heavy armor speed penalties), but the weight still physically exists.
How does 'Powerful Build' affect the dnd 5e carry weight calculator?
Powerful Build treats your character as one size category larger. For a Medium creature, this applies a 2x multiplier to your carrying capacity and push/drag/lift limits.
What happens if I exceed my maximum carrying capacity?
If you exceed your max capacity (15x STR), your speed drops to 5 ft. You are effectively immobilized and can only stagger under the load.
Do small creatures have less carrying capacity?
No. In 5th Edition, Small and Medium creatures share the same 1x multiplier. Only Tiny creatures suffer a penalty (0.5x), and Large creatures gain a bonus (2x).
How do I calculate push, drag, and lift?
Your push/drag/lift maximum is double your carrying capacity (or 30x your Strength score). While pushing or dragging a weight in excess of your carrying capacity, your speed drops to 5 ft.
Does a Bag of Holding affect my carry weight?
A Bag of Holding always weighs 15 lbs, regardless of what is inside it (up to 500 lbs). You only enter "15" into the calculator for the bag itself, not the contents.
How does Exhaustion affect carrying capacity?
Exhaustion itself does not lower your carrying capacity number directly, but Disadvantage on Ability Checks (Level 1) affects checks made to lift heavy objects, and Level 2 halves your speed, compounding with encumbrance penalties.
Is there a penalty for being heavily encumbered?
Under Variant rules, being Heavily Encumbered causes you to have Disadvantage on ability checks, attack rolls, and saving throws that use Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution.
Related Tools and Internal Resources
Enhance your tabletop experience with our suite of RPG tools:
- Point Buy Calculator – Plan your initial ability scores and Strength stats.
- Party Loot Splitter – Divide gold and items fairly among party members.
- Damage Probability Calculator – Analyze average damage output for your build.
- Spell Slot Tracker – Manage your magical resources alongside your physical inventory.
- Advanced Inventory Manager – A full sheet for tracking items across sessions.
- Travel Pace Calculator – Determine how far your encumbered party can travel per day.