Hoist Sizing Calculator
Electric hoist capacity and duty class from load and usage.
About this calculator
This calculator sizes an electric hoist from three things: how much weight it needs to lift, how far, and how often. Rated capacity is rounded up to the next standard hoist size (500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 5000, or 10,000 lb) rather than sized to the exact load, because hoists are manufactured and sold in standard capacity steps, not built custom for each application. Duty classification (H2 through H5) reflects how hard the hoist works over time -- ASME/HMI duty classes weigh both how frequently the hoist cycles and the load spectrum it sees, but this calculator uses a simplified version based only on cycles per hour: light intermittent use (H2), standard general use (H3), heavy regular use (H4), and severe continuous-duty use (H5).
Motor horsepower is estimated from the standard mechanical horsepower relationship, HP = (load in lb x speed in ft/min) / 33,000 -- the same formula used across hoisting, crane, and elevator sizing wherever a motor lifts a load at a given speed. Rope reeving (how many rope parts share the load) increases with capacity because spreading a heavier load across more rope parts reduces the load on each individual rope and keeps the drum and motor torque requirements manageable at higher capacities.
Inputs
Results
Rated capacity (lb)
2,000
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter the maximum load (lb) — the heaviest item the hoist will lift.
- Set the required lift height (ft) to determine rope and drum requirements.
- Input cycles per hour — how many full lifts and lowers occur in one hour of operation.
- Enter the desired lift speed (ft/min) from your application requirements.
- Read Rated capacity (lb) and Duty Cycle (H2–H5) to specify the correct hoist, and check Motor (HP) for electrical planning.
How the result changes with Max load (lb)
| Max load (lb) | Rated capacity (lb) |
|---|---|
| 1,000 | 1,000 |
| 1,500 | 2,000 |
| 3,000 | 3,000 |
| 5,000 | 5,000 |
What each input means
- Max load (lb)
- Maximum weight to be hoisted.
- Lift height (ft)
- Required lift height in feet.
- Cycles per hour
- Number of lift cycles per hour.
- Lift speed (ft/min)
- Desired lifting speed.
What each result means
- Rated capacity (lb)
- Standard hoist capacity to select.
- Motor (HP)
- Approximate motor horsepower.
- Rope reeving
- Number of rope parts (1, 2, or 4).
- Cycle time (sec)
- Total up + down cycle time.
How this is calculated
Worked example, using the default values
- Identify Input Parameters4 parametersMax load (lb) = 2000, Lift height (ft) = 20, Cycles per hour = 10, Lift speed (ft/min) = 16 = 4 input(s) provided
- Calculate Rated capacityRated capacity = smallest standard size (500/1000/2000/3000/5000/10000 lb) >= loadLb2000 = 2000
- Calculate Duty CycleDuty Cycle = H2 if cyclesPerHour < 5, H3 if < 15, H4 if < 25, else H5H3 = H3
- Calculate MotorMotor = round((requiredCapacity * liftSpeedFpm) / 33000 * 100) / 1000.97 = 0.97
Engine last updated . Checked against 3 independently-derived tests — how we verify calculators. Built by Paul Gunder, a software engineer, not a licensed financial, medical, or legal professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does rated capacity jump to a round number instead of matching my exact load?
Hoists are manufactured in standard capacity steps -- 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 5000, and 10,000 lb are typical increments -- rather than custom-built for every application's exact load. This calculator rounds your maximum load up to the next standard size, since specifying a hoist below your actual load isn't a safe or available option; the standard size above your requirement is what you'd actually order.
What does the duty classification (H2-H5) actually mean?
It's a simplified stand-in for the ASME/HMI hoist duty-class system, which rates how hard a hoist works over its service life. This calculator classifies duty by cycles per hour alone -- infrequent use (H2) through continuous heavy use (H5) -- while the full ASME/HMI standard also factors in load spectrum (how often the hoist lifts near its rated capacity versus lighter loads), so treat this as a starting point rather than a substitute for a full duty-cycle analysis when specifying industrial equipment.
Why does rope reeving increase at higher capacities?
Reeving describes how many parts of rope share the lifted load -- a single rope run (1 part) versus the rope doubled or quadrupled back through additional sheaves. Spreading a heavier load across more rope parts reduces the tension each individual rope segment carries, which keeps rope size, drum diameter, and motor torque requirements from growing out of proportion as rated capacity increases.
Does the estimated motor horsepower account for gearbox and drive losses?
No -- this uses the basic mechanical horsepower relationship (load x speed / 33,000), which gives the theoretical power needed to lift the load at the specified speed without any mechanical efficiency losses. Real hoist drivetrains lose some power to gearbox friction and drive inefficiency, so an actual specified motor is typically sized somewhat above this theoretical figure -- consult a hoist manufacturer's rating tables for a specific unit.
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