Carrying Capacity Calculator 5e: Encumbrance Made Easy

Learn how the carrying capacity calculator 5e works to estimate a character's load in D&D 5e. Understand the formula, encumbrance ranges, and practical tips for inventory planning.

Load Capacity
Load Capacity Team
·5 min read
Carrying Capacity 5e - Load Capacity (illustration)

What carrying capacity means in D&D 5e

In D&D 5e, carrying capacity is the maximum weight a character can move with before encumbrance penalties kick in. The community standard rule (often used in optional encumbrance) states that a character’s carrying capacity equals their Strength score times 15 pounds. This simple formula gives a quick sense of how much gear a hero can bear without slowing down. According to Load Capacity, understanding and applying this limit at the table helps players plan inventories, equipment choices, and tactical positioning. Heavy gear, backpacks, weapons, and armor all contribute to the total load. The calculator you’ll read about below makes this calculation fast and repeatable, so you can compare characters, NPCs, and mounts at a glance.

Diagram showing Strength × 15 rule and encumbrance ranges for D&D 5e
Carrying capacity and encumbrance ranges

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