GVWR Calculator

Created by Wei Bin Loo
Reviewed by Steven Wooding
Last updated: Nov 21, 2022


With this GVWR calculator, we aim to help you to calculate the safe weight of your vehicle. The gross vehicle weight rating enables you to understand how much weight your vehicle can safely carry. You might also find the car center of mass calculator and, more generally, the center of mass calculator helpful in understanding more about this topic.

We have written this article to help you understand the following:

  • What the gross vehicle weight rating is; and
  • How to calculate the GVWR.

We will also demonstrate some practical examples to help you understand the concept.

What is gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR)?

The gross weight vehicle rating (GVWR) is a measure to calculate the safe weight a vehicle can carry. It is defined as the sum of the vehicle's tare weight and the rated payload.

It is essential to understand this metric, particularly if you are operating a vehicle regularly. It allows you to understand how much weight you can load onto your vehicle. You will also be able to calculate the ideal weight of your vehicle.

After this, let's now learn about how to calculate the gross vehicle weight rating.

How to calculate GVWR?

Now that you understand the GVWR definition, let's look into the gross weight vehicle rating calculation. To understand the GVWR calculation, let's take the truck with the information below as an example:

  • Vehicle type: Truck.
  • Tare weight: 1,000 kg.
  • Rated payload: 500 kg.

You can calculate the GVWR of the truck and trailer in three steps:

  1. Determine the tare weight.

    The first step is to determine the tare weight of the vehicle. Tare weight is defined as the official weight of a vehicle when it is empty.

    In our example, the tare weight of the truck is 1,000 kg.

    To understand more about measuring weight in different units, please check out our weight converter.

  2. Determine the rated payload.

    Next, you need to determine the rated payload of the vehicle. The rated payload is the amount of weight that the vehicle has onboard.

    Thus, the truck's rated payload is 500 kg.

  3. Calculate the GVWR

    The last step is to calculate the GVWR of the truck using the formula below:

    GVWR = tare weight + rated payload

    Hence, the GVWR of the truck is 1,000 kg + 500 kg = 1,500 kg.

FAQ

Can GVWR be negative?

No, GVWR can never be negative. This is because the tare weight of a vehicle and the rated weight of the vehicle cannot be negative.

How to calculate GVWR of a truck and trailer?

You can calculate the GVWR of a truck and trailer in three steps:

  1. Determine the tare weight.

  2. Determine the rated payload.

  3. Add the tare weight to the rated payload weight:

    GVWR = tare weight + rated payload

What is the truck's GVWR if its tare weight and rated payload is 1000 kg?

The GVWR of the truck will be 2000 kg. You calculate this result by adding up the tare weight and the rated payload of the truck.

What is tare weight and rated payload?

The tare weight is the weight of the vehicle when it is empty, and the rated payload is the amount of weight the vehicle can safely carry.

Wei Bin Loo
Vehicle's tare weight
kg
Vehicle's rated payload
kg
Gross vehicle weight rating
kg
Check out 23 similar transportation calculators 🚘
0-60Boat speedBrake specific fuel consumption… 20 more
People also viewed…

Body fat

Use the body fat calculator to estimate what percentage of your body weight comprises of body fat.

Free fall

Our free fall calculator can find the velocity of a falling object and the height it drops from.

Jacket size

The jacket size calculator will help you pick a jacket or coat that fits you perfectly.

Paper thickness

This paper thickness calculator will help you find the thickness of a piece of paper using a ruler and a straightforward calculation.
Copyright by Omni Calculator sp. z o.o.
Privacy policy & cookies
main background