A current MacBook weighs between 2.7 pounds (about 1.23 kilograms) and 4.7 pounds (about 2.15 kilograms), according to Apple’s specifications. The 13-inch MacBook Air and MacBook Neo are the lightest at 2.7 pounds, the 15-inch MacBook Air weighs 3.3 pounds, the 14-inch MacBook Pro 3.4 to 3.6 pounds and the 16-inch MacBook Pro 4.7 pounds.
Packed for shipping with padding and a charger, most MacBooks weigh about 4 to 8 pounds, and box size often matters more than the laptop itself.
How much does each MacBook model weigh?
These are Apple’s published weights for the MacBook models it currently sells. Apple notes that weight varies by configuration and manufacturing process.
| MacBook model | Weight | Size (W × D × H) |
|---|---|---|
| MacBook Neo 13-inch (A18 Pro) | 2.7 lb (1.23 kg) | 11.71 × 8.12 × 0.50 in |
| MacBook Air 13-inch (M5) | 2.7 lb (1.23 kg) | 11.97 × 8.46 × 0.44 in |
| MacBook Air 15-inch (M5) | 3.3 lb (1.51 kg) | 13.40 × 9.35 × 0.45 in |
| MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5) | 3.4 lb (1.55 kg) | 12.31 × 8.71 × 0.61 in |
| MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5 Pro) | 3.5 lb (1.60 kg) | 12.31 × 8.71 × 0.61 in |
| MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5 Max) | 3.6 lb (1.62 kg) | 12.31 × 8.71 × 0.61 in |
| MacBook Pro 16-inch (M5 Pro) | 4.7 lb (2.14 kg) | 14.01 × 9.77 × 0.66 in |
| MacBook Pro 16-inch (M5 Max) | 4.7 lb (2.15 kg) | 14.01 × 9.77 × 0.66 in |
Storage and memory upgrades don’t change the weight in a way that matters for shipping. The chip does, slightly, on the 14-inch MacBook Pro, where Pro and Max models carry more cooling hardware.
Why does a MacBook Pro weigh more than a MacBook Air?
The MacBook Pro has a fan-based cooling system, a larger battery, more ports and a thicker aluminum body. The MacBook Air is fanless and about 0.44 inches thick, against 0.61 to 0.66 inches for the Pro. That’s why a 14-inch MacBook Pro outweighs a 15-inch MacBook Air, even with a smaller screen.
Screen size is the other big factor. Going from the 14-inch to the 16-inch MacBook Pro adds about 1.1 to 1.2 pounds. For comparison with Windows laptops, our guide to how much a laptop weighs covers ultrabooks through gaming laptops.
How much do older MacBooks weigh?
If you’re shipping a used or trade-in MacBook, find the exact model under the Apple menu, then About This Mac, and check that model’s specs. As a rule of thumb, MacBook Air models since 2018 weigh about 2.7 to 3.3 pounds, the same as today. Older 13-inch MacBook Pro models run about 3 to 3.1 pounds. The 15-inch and 16-inch Intel-era MacBook Pro models weigh about 4 to 4.5 pounds, and recent 16-inch Apple silicon models about 4.7 to 4.8 pounds.
How much does a MacBook weigh packed for shipping?
Packed weight includes the laptop, its charger and cable, any retail box, padding and the outer shipping box. That total is the gross weight carriers charge on, explained in our guide to gross weight vs net weight.
| Item | Typical added weight |
|---|---|
| USB-C power adapter and cable | 0.3–0.8 lb |
| Apple retail box | 0.5–1 lb |
| Outer corrugated box | 0.75–1.5 lb |
| Foam, bubble wrap or air pillows | 0.2–0.5 lb |
Put together, a 13-inch MacBook Air usually ships at about 4 to 5 pounds, a 14-inch MacBook Pro at 5 to 6 pounds, and a 16-inch MacBook Pro at 6.5 to 8 pounds. Our guide to choosing a laptop shipping box covers sizes that fit each model with room for padding.
Does dimensional weight apply to a MacBook?
Often, yes, at least at UPS. UPS applies dimensional weight to every package, dividing length × width × height in inches by 139 at Daily Rates and rounding up. An 18 × 14 × 6 inch laptop box is 1,512 cubic inches, a dimensional weight of 11 pounds, so a 5-pound packed MacBook Air bills at 11 pounds there.
USPS applies dimensional weight only to parcels larger than 1 cubic foot (1,728 cubic inches), so that same 18 × 14 × 6 box bills on its actual weight. A 20 × 16 × 6 inch box is over the threshold and bills at 14 pounds at both carriers. Choosing the smallest box that still fits 2 inches of padding on every side is the easiest way to keep billable weight down.
What should you know before shipping a MacBook?
Every MacBook has a lithium-ion battery built in. USPS accepts lithium-ion batteries installed in the device they power, under the limits and packaging rules in its mailing standards, and international mail is more restricted than domestic. Check the USPS shipping restrictions page, shut the MacBook down fully and pack it so it can’t be switched on in transit.
Insure for the full value. UPS includes liability up to a declared value of $100 by default, and most USPS Ground Advantage and Priority Mail labels include up to $100 of insurance. Declare the full value or add coverage such as Shipsurance through ParcelPath. Our guide on how to ship a laptop covers backup, wiping, packing and signature options.
Shipping a tablet as well? Our page on how much an iPad weighs lists every current model, and our guide on how much a gaming PC weighs shows how much heavier a desktop runs. Weigh the sealed box using one of the methods in our guide on how to weigh packages at home.
With the packed weight and box size, you can compare UPS and USPS services in the ParcelPath rate calculator. ParcelPath is free to use, with no subscription or per-label fee, and offers up to 85% off UPS and up to 89% off USPS.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a MacBook Air weigh?
The current 13-inch MacBook Air (M5) weighs 2.7 pounds (1.23 kilograms), and the 15-inch MacBook Air (M5) weighs 3.3 pounds (1.51 kilograms), according to Apple. Both are about 0.44 to 0.45 inches thick. Packed for shipping with its charger and padding, a 13-inch MacBook Air usually ships at about 4 to 5 pounds.
How much does a MacBook Pro weigh?
The 14-inch MacBook Pro weighs 3.4 pounds with the M5 chip, 3.5 pounds with M5 Pro and 3.6 pounds with M5 Max. The 16-inch MacBook Pro weighs 4.7 pounds (2.14 to 2.15 kilograms) with M5 Pro or M5 Max, per Apple. Packed for shipping, a 16-inch model usually weighs 6.5 to 8 pounds.
What is the lightest MacBook?
The 13-inch MacBook Air (M5) and MacBook Neo tie as the lightest current MacBooks at 2.7 pounds (1.23 kilograms) each. The MacBook Neo is slightly smaller in width and depth but thicker, at 0.50 inches against 0.44 inches for the MacBook Air. The heaviest is the 16-inch MacBook Pro at 4.7 pounds.
How much does a MacBook weigh in its box?
In Apple’s retail box with the charger, a 13-inch MacBook Air typically weighs about 3.5 to 4 pounds and a 16-inch MacBook Pro about 5.5 to 6.5 pounds. Shipping the retail box inside a padded outer box adds another 1 to 2 pounds. Box size can raise the billable weight further, since UPS applies dimensional weight to every package.
Sources
- Apple, Compare Mac models and MacBook Pro technical specifications (weights and dimensions), apple.com/mac/compare and apple.com/macbook-pro/specs.
- USPS, Shipping Restrictions (lithium batteries).
- USPS DMM 283, USPS Ground Advantage (dimensional weight).
- UPS, Package Dimensions, Size Limits and Weight Guide.
- Charger, retail box and packaging weights are typical ranges, not Apple or 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.
