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Calcimator

Drone Payload Capacity Calculator

Calculate maximum drone payload from MTOW, empty weight, and battery weight. Check thrust requirements for safe operation.

Inputs

oz
oz
oz
oz

Results

Maximum Payload

3,200 g

≈ 28 sticks of butter

Payload Margin1,700 g
Weight Utilization71.7%
All-Up Weight4,300 g
Required Total Thrust (2:1)8,600 g
How to Use This Calculator
  1. Enter the drone's maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) in grams or kg.
  2. Set empty weight (without battery) and battery weight.
  3. Enter the required payload weight for your mission (camera, LiDAR, package, etc.).
  4. Review maximum payload capacity, payload margin, weight utilization (%), and required total thrust.
  5. Ensure thrust-to-weight ratio with full payload is at least 2:1 for stable, controllable flight.

How the result changes with Max Takeoff Weight (MTOW)

Max Takeoff Weight (MTOW)Maximum Payload
10,2257,425 g
35,16332,363 g
65,08862,288 g
90,02587,225 g

What each input means

Max Takeoff Weight (MTOW)
Maximum takeoff weight per manufacturer specifications.
Empty Weight (no battery)
Weight of the airframe, motors, ESCs, and electronics without battery.
Battery Weight
Weight of the flight battery pack.
Required Payload
Weight of the payload you intend to carry.

How this is calculated

Worked example, using the default values

  1. Identify Input Parameters
    4 parameters
    Max Takeoff Weight (MTOW) = 6000, Empty Weight (no battery) = 2000, Battery Weight = 800, Required Payload = 1500 = 4 input(s) provided
  2. Calculate Maximum Payload
    Maximum Payload
    3200 = 3200
  3. Calculate Payload Margin
    Payload Margin
    1700 = 1700
  4. Calculate Weight Utilization
    Weight Utilization
    71.7 = 71.7

Engine last updated . Checked against 1 independently-derived test — how we verify calculators.

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