Most jackets weigh between 0.5 and 4 pounds (225 g–1.8 kg). A windbreaker or rain shell weighs about 4 to 12 ounces, a denim jacket about 1.5 to 2.2 pounds, and a leather jacket about 3 to 5 pounds. Heavy winter parkas usually weigh 2.5 to 4.5 pounds. Packed in a poly mailer, most jackets ship at 1 to 5 pounds, but bulky ones can be billed at a higher dimensional weight.
Fabric, insulation, size and hardware such as zippers and snaps decide most of the difference. The tables below give typical weights by jacket type, the packed shipping weight, and the carrier rules that decide what you’re billed.
How much does a jacket weigh by type?
These are typical weights for an adult men’s medium. Women’s jackets usually weigh about 10 to 20% less, and XL and larger sizes about 10 to 20% more.
| Jacket type | Typical weight (lb) | Typical weight (g) |
|---|---|---|
| Packable windbreaker or wind shell | 0.25–0.5 lb (4–8 oz) | 110–225 g |
| Rain jacket or hardshell | 0.5–1.2 lb | 225–550 g |
| Lightweight down or synthetic puffer | 0.6–1.2 lb | 270–550 g |
| Fleece jacket | 0.8–1.5 lb | 360–680 g |
| Softshell jacket | 1–1.6 lb | 450–730 g |
| Bomber jacket (nylon) | 1.2–2 lb | 550–910 g |
| Denim jacket | 1.5–2.2 lb | 680 g–1 kg |
| Canvas or work jacket (lined) | 2–3.5 lb | 0.9–1.6 kg |
| Winter parka (heavy insulated) | 2.5–4.5 lb | 1.1–2 kg |
| Leather jacket | 3–5 lb | 1.4–2.3 kg |
| Wool overcoat | 3–5 lb | 1.4–2.3 kg |
What makes one jacket heavier than another?
- Fabric. Leather, heavy denim, canvas and wool are dense. Nylon and polyester shells are very light.
- Insulation. Down gives a lot of warmth for little weight, so a down puffer can be lighter than a fleece. Synthetic fill and quilted linings weigh more for the same warmth.
- Hardware and trim. Heavy zippers, snaps, belts and fur or faux-fur hoods each add a few ounces.
- Size and length. Longer cuts such as parkas and overcoats use far more material than a waist-length jacket.
How much does a jacket weigh packed for shipping?
Carriers bill the gross weight: the jacket plus its mailer or box, tissue and any hanger. Our guide to gross weight vs net weight explains the difference.
| Packaging | Typical added weight | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Poly mailer | 1–3 oz | Shells, fleece, puffers, denim |
| Padded mailer | 3–5 oz | Jackets with hardware that could tear a thin mailer |
| Corrugated box | 8–20 oz | Leather jackets, wool coats, structured pieces |
A denim jacket in a poly mailer usually ships at about 1.7 to 2.4 pounds, and a leather jacket boxed at about 4 to 6 pounds. A windbreaker in a mailer can stay under 1 pound. USPS Ground Advantage prices those in 4, 8, 12 and 15.999-ounce tiers, and rounds any fraction of a pound up to the next pound above that.
Does dimensional weight apply to jackets?
It can, especially for puffers and parkas. UPS applies dimensional weight to every package at its Daily Rates: length × width × height in inches, divided by 139, rounded up. USPS applies it only to parcels over 1 cubic foot (1,728 cubic inches). Carriers bill whichever is higher, actual or dimensional weight.
A parka in an 18 × 14 × 8 inch box is 2,016 cubic inches, so both carriers bill it at 15 pounds even if it weighs 4. Compressing it into a flat poly mailer, or rolling a down jacket into its own stuff sack, keeps the billed size close to the real weight. Measuring correctly matters too. Our guide to how to ship for less covers more ways to cut the billable size.
How do you weigh and ship a jacket?
- Fold or roll the jacket, zip it closed, and seal it in the mailer or box you’ll ship.
- Weigh the sealed package on a postal scale. Our guide on how to weigh packages at home covers alternatives if you don’t have one.
- Measure each side and round up to the next whole inch, then enter both when you buy the label.
With the packed weight in hand, compare UPS and USPS rates for your package in the ParcelPath rate calculator. ParcelPath is free, with no subscription, and offers up to 85% off UPS and up to 89% off USPS. For leather, see our guide on how to ship a leather jacket.
If you’re shipping a whole outfit, our guides on how much jeans weigh for shipping and how much a pair of shoes weighs for shipping cover the other heavy pieces. For a gift box that adds a coffee mug, see how much a mug weighs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a jacket weigh on average?
An average adult jacket weighs about 1 to 3 pounds (450 g–1.4 kg). Light shells and windbreakers are under 1 pound, denim and work jackets 1.5 to 3.5 pounds, and leather jackets and wool overcoats 3 to 5 pounds. Size matters too: an XL can weigh 10 to 20% more than a medium in the same style.
How much does a leather jacket weigh?
Most leather jackets weigh about 3 to 5 pounds (1.4–2.3 kg). Thin lambskin fashion jackets can be closer to 2 pounds, while heavy cowhide motorcycle jackets with armor or a zip-out lining can exceed 5. Boxed for shipping, plan on about 4 to 6 pounds.
How much does a winter jacket weigh?
A winter jacket usually weighs 1 to 4.5 pounds. Down puffers are the lightest warm option, often 1 to 2 pounds, because down insulates well for its weight. Heavy synthetic-fill parkas with long cuts and fur-trim hoods weigh 2.5 to 4.5 pounds. Their bulk means dimensional weight often sets the shipping price.
How much does a jacket weigh for shipping?
Most jackets ship at about 1 to 5 pounds. A windbreaker in a poly mailer can be under 1 pound, a denim jacket about 1.7 to 2.4 pounds, and a boxed leather jacket 4 to 6 pounds. A bulky parka in a box may be billed at a higher dimensional weight, so compress it into a mailer when you can.
Sources
- USPS DMM 283: USPS Ground Advantage (ounce tiers, rounding and dimensional weight)
- UPS: Package dimensions, size limits and weight guide
- Jacket weights are typical ranges for unpackaged adult garments and are not carrier data.
Part of our How to Weigh Packages at Home guide. Related: Weighing Packages for Shipping, Gross Weight vs Net Weight, How Much Does a Tire Weigh.
