Litres consumed per 100 kilometres; lower is better. Standard metric efficiency unit.

Energy lost deforming tires as they roll. Low-pressure or wide tires raise it.

Automotive Calculators

Payload Comparison Calculator

2026-09-27 6 min

Payload from GVWR minus curb for two vehicles with the difference.

Payload A: 1500 lb
Payload B: 2000 lb
Difference (B-A): 500 lb

Calculator

GVWR — A(lb)

Curb Weight — A(lb)

GVWR — B(lb)

Curb Weight — B(lb)

Results update live as you type

Live statistics

Payload A

1500 lb

Payload B

2000 lb

Difference (B-A)

500 lb

Results

Optimal

Payload A

1500lb

Payload B

2000lb

Difference (B-A)

500lb

Planning estimate from standard automotive formulas. Validate with dyno, timeslip or datalog data when precision matters.

Visualizations

Results overview

1,500Payload A

2,000Payload B

500Difference

Difference (B-A) vs. GVWR — A

Difference (B-A)

500lb

-1,0004,000

Formula

Derives true cargo capacity from ratings minus actual empty weight.

Payload = GVWR - curb; diff = payB - payA

Alternative Form

Options and accessories eat sticker payload — use scaled curb

Variables

Symbol	Name	Unit	Description
P	Payload	lb	People plus cargo plus tongue
GVWR	Gross rating	lb	Max loaded vehicle weight

Explanation

Payload is a subtraction — heavy options shrink it even when GVWR looks big.

Step-by-Step Calculation

Follow each step to understand how the result is calculated from your inputs.

Step 1

Record the inputs.

GVWR — A:6000 lb

Curb Weight — A:4500 lb

GVWR — B:7000 lb

Curb Weight — B:5000 lb

Result: 4 inputs ready

Step 2

Apply the formula.

Payload = GVWR - curb; diff = payB - payA

Result: Primary result = 500 lb

Step 3

Read every derived output.

Payload A:1500 lb

Payload B:2000 lb

Difference (B-A):500 lb

Result: Difference (B-A) = 500 lb

Final Answer

1500

Worked Examples

See how the calculator works with different scenarios.

Scenario

Two SUVs with different ratings.

Inputs

A:6,000 GVWR / 4,500 curb

B:7,000 GVWR / 5,000 curb

Calculation

A 1,500; B 2,000; diff +500

Result

B carries 500 lb more.

Interpretation

One extra ATV or full tongue margin for B.

Understanding Your Result

Your Result: Payload A: 1500 lb

What This Means

Cargo capacity of each vehicle and the gap.

Why It Matters

Payload decides family-plus-gear feasibility before any trip.

Professional Interpretation

Treat the primary result as a planning estimate, then validate on a dyno, at the track, or with logged sensor data. If measured numbers disagree by more than ~10%, re-check inputs (units are the usual culprit) before changing parts.

Recommendations

•Double-check units on every input before trusting the result
•Compare against the worked example below to sanity-check magnitude
•Validate with measured data (dyno, timeslip, datalog) when it matters

Learn — fuel economy, deeply

Payload comparison is GVWR minus honest curb weight, twice.

1 · Where the gallon goes (energy path)

Engine heat

60–70% lost

Coolant + exhaust carry most energy away. Hybrids recover some via Atkinson cycle + regen.

Driveline

5–15% lost

Transmission, differential, accessories. CVTs and 8–10 speed autos lose less.

Aero drag

∝ v²

Doubles from 55→78 mph. Roof boxes hurt more than trunks.

Rolling + brakes

10–20%

Tires, weight, stops. Regen braking (hybrid/EV) reclaims city braking energy.

4 · Measure like a pro (the 3-tank protocol)

Fill to first click at the same pump, record the odometer (Tank 0).
Drive normally for 2–3 tanks; always refill to first click at the same pump.
MPG = total miles ÷ total gallons across all tanks — averaging kills pump-click noise.
Cross-check with the trip computer; a persistent >10% gap means the computer needs calibration — or the car needs service.
Log with an OBD-II dongle for per-trip MPG if you want to isolate commute vs. highway behavior.

Practical Tips

•Use door-sticker payload when available
•Add option weight to curb
•Include tongue weight in cargo math

Common Mistakes

Mixing units (inches with mm, psi with kPa)

Convert every input to the unit shown on its field before calculating.

Trusting a single output blindly

Cross-check with the worked example and, when it matters, a dyno or datalog.

Assumptions

This calculator makes the following assumptions to provide estimates:

Steady-state model: Formulas assume stabilized conditions; transients, heat soak and traction limits are excluded.

Standard factors: Empirical constants (BSFC, VE, drivetrain loss) use typical values — your combination may differ.

Limitations

Be aware of these limitations when using this calculator:

Estimate, not measurement: Predictions carry real-world scatter of roughly ±5–15% depending on the model.

No transient effects: Shift time, wheelspin, spool lag and heat soak are not modeled here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common questions about this calculator.

What counts against payload?

Everyone aboard plus cargo, roof load and trailer tongue weight — everything beyond the empty truck.

Why is real payload below brochure?

Options, accessories and larger cabs add curb weight that subtracts directly from rated payload.

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Related Guides

Deepen your understanding with these educational resources.

Automotive Guides

Build planning, measurement protocol and validation how-tos

Glossary

Technical terms used in mortgage calculations explained in plain language.

MPG: Miles per gallon. Distance travelled per gallon of fuel; higher is better. US gallon = 3.785 L.
L/100 km: Litres consumed per 100 kilometres; lower is better. Standard metric efficiency unit.
MPGe: Miles per gallon-equivalent. EV metric: miles travelled on 33.7 kWh (energy of 1 gal of gasoline).
CAFE: Corporate Average Fuel Economy — US fleet-average efficiency standard enforced by NHTSA.
Rolling resistance: Energy lost deforming tires as they roll. Low-pressure or wide tires raise it.
Aerodynamic drag: Air resistance growing with the square of speed — why highway MPG falls fast above 60 mph.
Hypermiling: Driving techniques (coasting, steady speed, anticipation) that maximise real-world MPG.
OBD-II: On-board diagnostics port. Scanners and dongles read live MPG, fuel trim and fault codes.

Authoritative References

Trusted sources and standards referenced by this calculator.

EPA — FuelEconomy.gov DOE — Fuel-Efficient Driving Tips NHTSA — Driving Safety & Efficiency SAE International — Fuel Economy Standards Consumer Reports — MPG Truth IRS — Standard Mileage Rates

Applicable Standards

EPA Fuel Economy Testing (40 CFR Part 600)CAFE — Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards (NHTSA)WLTP — Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test ProcedureSAE J1321 / J1711 — Fuel consumption test proceduresISO 2575 — Road vehicles symbols & efficiency markings

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Page Information

Last Updated:

2026-09-27

Version:

2.0.0

References:

License:

Free to use for educational and professional purposes.