Elevator Weight Capacity Calculator

Maximum occupancy from car area and weight rating.

Car width (inches)

Car depth (inches)

Rated load (lb)

Avg. person weight (lb)

Car weight (lb)

Tab to move between fields

Maximum occupancy

Comfortable occupancy6

Platform area (sq ft)30

Platform area (m²)2.79

Rated load (kg)1,588

Total system load (kg)4,082

ASME max load for area (lb)4,000

Load vs. area compliant1

Loading density (lb/ft²)116.7

How to Use This Calculator

Enter Car Width and Car Depth in inches to confirm the cab footprint.
Input Rated Load (lbs) and Average Person Weight (lbs) — ASME A17.1 uses 150 lbs per person.
Enter Car Weight (lbs) for counterweight sizing reference.
Review Maximum Occupancy and Comfortable Occupancy (80% of rated).
Post the Maximum Occupancy in the elevator cab as required by code.

How the result changes with Car width (inches)

Car width (inches): Interior width of the elevator car platform.
Car depth (inches): Interior depth of the elevator car platform.
Rated load (lb): Elevator rated load capacity in pounds.
Avg. person weight (lb): Average passenger weight (ASME standard: 150 lb, realistic: 175-185 lb).
Car weight (lb): Weight of the empty car (for total system load calculation).

Maximum occupancy: Maximum number of passengers (limited by weight or area).
Comfortable occupancy: Comfortable passenger count (~5 sq ft per person).
Platform area (sq ft): Interior floor area of the elevator car.
Platform area (m²): Interior floor area in square metres.
Rated load (kg): Rated load capacity in kilograms.
Total system load (kg): Car weight + rated load for rope/structural sizing.
ASME max load for area (lb): Maximum rated load allowed by ASME A17.1 for this platform area.
Load vs. area compliant: 1 = rated load within ASME limit for platform area, 0 = exceeds.
Loading density (lb/ft²): Rated load per square foot of platform area.

Identify Input Parameters
4 parameters
Car width (inches) = 80, Car depth (inches) = 54, Rated load (lb) = 3500, Avg. person weight (lb) = 175 = 5 input(s) provided
Calculate Maximum occupancy
Maximum occupancy
13 = 13
Calculate Comfortable occupancy
Comfortable occupancy
6 = 6
Calculate Platform area
Platform area = (carWidthIn * carDepthIn) / 144
30 = 30