Most laptops weigh between 2 and 6 pounds (0.9–2.7 kg). Thin ultrabooks and 13-inch models run about 2 to 3 pounds, mainstream 14- and 15-inch laptops about 3 to 4.5 pounds, and 16- to 18-inch gaming or workstation laptops about 5 to 8 pounds. Packed for shipping with the charger and proper padding, a laptop usually weighs about 4 to 10 pounds.
Screen size, build materials and the graphics hardware decide most of the difference. The tables below give typical weights by laptop type, examples from manufacturer specs, and the packed weight and box size that set what you pay to ship one.
How much does a laptop weigh by type?
These are typical weights for the laptop alone, without the charger. Individual models vary, so check the spec sheet for yours.
| Laptop type | Typical screen size | Typical weight |
|---|---|---|
| Ultrabook or ultraportable | 13–14 in | 2–3 lb (0.9–1.4 kg) |
| Chromebook or 2-in-1 | 11–14 in | 2.2–3.5 lb (1.0–1.6 kg) |
| Mainstream or business laptop | 14–15.6 in | 3–4.5 lb (1.4–2.0 kg) |
| Performance or creator laptop | 16 in | 4.5–5.5 lb (2.0–2.5 kg) |
| Gaming laptop | 15.6–18 in | 4.5–8 lb (2.0–3.6 kg) |
| Rugged or mobile workstation | 14–17 in | 5–8+ lb (2.3–3.6+ kg) |
Larger screens need bigger chassis and batteries, and gaming laptops add heavier cooling systems and graphics chips. Aluminum and magnesium bodies keep thin laptops light. Plastic bodies are often thicker, so a budget 15-inch laptop can outweigh a premium one.
How much do popular laptops weigh?
Manufacturer specs give a good reference point. Apple’s current published weights are:
| Model | Published weight |
|---|---|
| MacBook Air 13-inch (M5) | 2.7 lb (1.23 kg) |
| MacBook Air 15-inch (M5) | 3.3 lb (1.51 kg) |
| MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5, M5 Pro, M5 Max) | 3.4–3.6 lb (1.55–1.62 kg) |
| MacBook Pro 16-inch (M5 Pro, M5 Max) | 4.7 lb (2.14–2.15 kg) |
Windows laptops follow the same pattern: 13-inch premium models sit near the MacBook Air, and 16- to 18-inch gaming models land near the top of the range. For every Apple model and generation, see our guide on how much a MacBook weighs.
How much does a laptop weigh packed for shipping?
Carriers charge on the gross weight: the laptop plus the charger, box and padding. Our guide to gross weight vs net weight explains the difference. Here’s what each part typically adds.
| Item | Typical added weight |
|---|---|
| Charger for an ultrabook or MacBook (USB-C) | 0.3–0.6 lb |
| Charger for a gaming laptop (power brick) | 1–2 lb |
| Corrugated box, foam or bubble wrap | 1–2 lb |
| Double box (inner and outer carton) | 2–3 lb |
That puts most ultrabooks at about 4 to 6 pounds packed, mainstream laptops at 5 to 7 pounds, and gaming laptops at 7 to 10 pounds or more. Weigh the sealed box yourself, since carriers round any fraction of a pound up to the next pound.
Does box size change a laptop’s billable weight?
It often does. UPS applies dimensional weight to every package at its Daily Rates: length × width × height in inches, divided by 139, rounded up. USPS does the same for Ground Advantage and Priority Mail parcels larger than 1 cubic foot (1,728 cubic inches). Carriers bill whichever is higher, actual or dimensional weight.
A 15-inch laptop in a 20 × 14 × 6 inch box is 1,680 cubic inches. That’s under 1 cubic foot, so USPS bills the scale weight, but UPS calculates 1,680 ÷ 139 = 12.1, so it bills 13 pounds. Measure the box and round each side up to the next inch. Our guide on how to read dimensions accurately explains the length, width and height order, and our laptop shipping box size guide lists boxes that keep the size down.
What carrier rules apply when you ship a laptop?
| Rule | USPS | UPS |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum weight | 70 lb | 150 lb |
| Maximum size | 108 in length plus girth (130 in for Ground Advantage) | 108 in long, 165 in length plus girth |
| Dimensional weight | Over 1 cubic foot, divisor 139 | All packages, divisor 139 at Daily Rates |
| Laptop battery (lithium-ion installed in device) | Air or ground if each battery is 100 Wh or less; used, damaged or defective devices by ground only | Accepted when installed in the device and packed to prevent activation |
Laptop batteries are lithium-ion, and USPS caps each battery installed in equipment at 100 watt-hours. The rating is printed on the battery or in the spec sheet. One laptop with no more than two batteries installed doesn’t need the lithium battery mark on the box. A used laptop, though, must travel by ground, so ship it by USPS Ground Advantage rather than Priority Mail or Priority Mail Express.
How do you weigh and ship a laptop?
- Back up and power off the laptop, then wrap it in an anti-static bag or plastic.
- Place it in a box with at least 2 inches of foam or bubble wrap on every side, or double-box it. Pack the charger separately so it can’t scratch the screen.
- Seal the box and weigh it. If you don’t have a postal scale, our guide on how to weigh packages at home covers the alternatives.
- Enter the weight and dimensions when you buy the label, add declared value or insurance for the laptop’s full value, and follow it with USPS tracking or UPS tracking once it ships.
Our full guide on how to ship a laptop covers packing in more detail. When the box is ready, compare UPS and USPS rates for its exact weight and size in the ParcelPath rate calculator. ParcelPath is free, with no subscription, and offers up to 85% off UPS and up to 89% off USPS. Ground delivery to most U.S. addresses takes a few business days. Our guide on how long 3 business days is explains how carriers count them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a laptop weigh on average?
A typical laptop weighs about 3 to 5 pounds (1.4–2.3 kg). Ultrabooks and 13-inch models are often 2 to 3 pounds, while 16- to 18-inch gaming laptops can reach 6 to 8 pounds. Apple’s 13-inch MacBook Air, for example, weighs 2.7 pounds. Add the charger, and add 1 to 3 pounds of packaging for shipping.
How much does a laptop weigh in kg?
Most laptops weigh 0.9 to 2.7 kg. Ultraportables are usually 0.9 to 1.4 kg, mainstream 14- and 15-inch laptops 1.4 to 2.0 kg, and large gaming laptops 2.3 to 3.6 kg. Apple lists the 14-inch MacBook Pro at 1.55 kg and the 16-inch at 2.14 kg. One kilogram equals about 2.2 pounds.
How much does a gaming laptop weigh?
Gaming laptops usually weigh 4.5 to 8 pounds without the charger. Thin 14-inch gaming models can be under 4 pounds, and 18-inch desktop-replacement models can exceed 8. Their power bricks often add another 1 to 2 pounds, so a packed gaming laptop commonly ships at 7 to 10 pounds or more.
How much does a laptop weigh with the box for shipping?
Plan on about 4 to 10 pounds for a boxed laptop. An ultrabook with its charger in a padded box is usually 4 to 6 pounds, and a gaming laptop 7 to 10. UPS may bill a larger dimensional weight, so a 20 × 14 × 6 inch box is billed at 13 pounds at UPS Daily Rates, even if it weighs less.
Sources
- Apple, MacBook Air technical specifications (apple.com/macbook-air/specs)
- Apple, MacBook Pro technical specifications (apple.com/macbook-pro/specs)
- USPS Publication 52, Packaging Instruction 9D: Lithium batteries, domestic
- USPS DMM 283: USPS Ground Advantage (dimensional weight and weight rounding)
- USPS DMM 101: Physical standards (maximum weight and size)
- UPS: Package dimensions, size limits and weight guide
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.
