Laundry weight calculator
Estimate your laundry weight and find the right machine
Why weigh your laundry before the laundromat?
Knowing your laundry weight before going to the laundromat saves you time and money. A machine that is too small washes poorly; one that is too large wastes a cycle. At Speed Queen self-service laundromats, capacities range from 9 kg (everyday clothes) to 18 kg (duvets, curtains). Our calculator adds up the weight of each item and recommends the right machine.
All weights shown are dry laundry weights, in accordance with the IEC 60456 standard used by washing machine manufacturers. Data comes from verified French sources (Ideal.fr, UFC-Que Choisir) and Speed Queen technical documentation.
Reference weight per item (dry laundry)
| Item | Weight |
|---|---|
| T-shirt | 150 g |
| Shirt | 200 g |
| Jeans | 800 g |
| Sweater / hoodie | 600 g |
| Hand towel | 500 g |
| Bath towel | 800 g |
| Fitted sheet (double) | 800 g |
| Duvet cover (double) | 1.5 kg |
| Light duvet (double) | 1.8 kg |
| Thick duvet (double) | 3.5 kg |
| Bathrobe | 1.2 kg |
| Bath mat | 800 g |
| Pillow | 700 g |
| Trousers | 500 g |
| Dress | 300 g |
Source: Ideal.fr and UFC-Que Choisir . Indicative dry laundry weights (IEC 60456 standard).
Frequently asked questions about laundry weight
Should laundry be weighed dry or wet?
Always dry. The IEC 60456 standard, used by every washing machine manufacturer, defines capacity in kilograms of dry laundry. Wet laundry weighs 2 to 3 times more, which would skew the estimate. Weigh your pile at home before heading to the laundromat.
How much does a pair of jeans weigh?
A standard adult pair of jeans weighs between 500 g and 900 g dry. Light summer models go down to 400 g; heavy winter or selvedge denim reaches 1 kg (≈2.2 lbs). For a precise figure based on your specific pair, use the calculator above.
How many kilos can you fit in a 9 kg washing machine?
The capacity figure is the maximum dry laundry weight: 9 kg (≈20 lbs) for a 9 kg machine, roughly 35–40 standard items (t-shirts, shirts, underwear). Never exceed capacity: an overloaded drum washes poorly, wears out fibres and can unbalance the spin cycle.
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Reference weights based on the Ideal.fr guide and UFC-Que Choisir data. Speed Queen machine capacities are expressed as dry laundry weight, per IEC 60456 standard .