Luggage Weight & Overweight Fee Calculator
Check your bag against the airline weight allowance, see how much room is left or how far over you are, and estimate the overweight fee.
How it works
Margin = limit − bag weight · Overweight if bag > limit · Fee = per-bag charge × bags over
Airlines set a checked-bag weight limit — commonly 50 lb (23 kg) in economy, 70 lb in business — and charge a flat overweight fee, often $100 or more, the moment a bag tips past it. The margin here is simply the limit minus your bag; a negative margin means repack before you weigh in at the counter. Because the fee is usually per bag and steep, shifting a few pounds into a carry-on or a second checked bag is almost always cheaper than paying it.
Worked example
A bag weighing 52 lb against a 50 lb limit is 2 lb over. Rather than pay a $100 overweight fee, moving a pair of shoes and a toiletry bag — about 3 lb — into your carry-on brings it to 49 lb, safely under the line.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard checked-bag weight limit?
Most economy tickets allow 50 lb (23 kg) per checked bag; premium cabins often allow 70 lb (32 kg). Always confirm on your specific airline and route, as international and budget carriers vary and some cap total bags differently.
Is it cheaper to pay the fee or add a bag?
Usually a second checked bag costs less than an overweight fee, and it splits the weight so neither bag is over. Compare the extra-bag price to the overweight charge; redistributing into a carry-on is cheapest of all when it fits within cabin limits.
How accurate is a bathroom scale for luggage?
Weigh yourself, then weigh yourself holding the bag, and subtract — this is accurate to about a pound, enough to know if you are near the limit. A hanging luggage scale is more precise and worth it for frequent flyers.
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This calculator is for educational purposes. Double-check important results before acting on them.