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

Weight Transfer Calculator

2026-09-27 6 min

Lateral weight transfer and per-side load shift from weight, CG height, wheelbase and lateral G.

Weight Transfer: 573 lb
Load Shift Per Side: 286 lb; Half of total transfer

Calculator

Vehicle Weight(lb)

CG Height(in)

Track Width Basis(in) Help

Lateral transfer uses track width; use axle track here

Lateral G(g)

Results update live as you type

Live statistics

Weight Transfer

573 lb

Load Shift Per Side

286 lb

Half of total transfer

Results

Optimal

Weight Transfer

573lb

Load Shift Per Side

286lb

Half of total transfer

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

Visualizations

Results overview

572.7Weight Transfer

286.4Load Shift Per Side

Weight Transfer vs. Vehicle Weight

Weight Transfer

572.7lb

02,000

Formula

Overturning moment (weight times G at CG height) reacted across the track footprint.

Transfer = weight x CG height / width x latG

Alternative Form

Per-side shift = transfer / 2

Variables

Symbol	Name	Unit	Description
h	CG height	in	Higher CG transfers more load
G	Lateral acceleration	g	Cornering demand

Explanation

Taller, heavier cars at high G unload the inside tires most — the root of body-roll and inside-wheelspin analysis.

Step-by-Step Calculation

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

Step 1

Record the inputs.

Vehicle Weight:3500 lb

CG Height:20 in

Track Width Basis:110 in

Lateral G:0.9 g

Result: 4 inputs ready

Step 2

Apply the formula.

Transfer = weight x CG height / width x latG

Result: Primary result = 573 lb

Step 3

Read every derived output.

Weight Transfer:573 lb

Load Shift Per Side:286 lb

Result: Weight Transfer = 573 lb

Final Answer

573

Worked Examples

See how the calculator works with different scenarios.

Scenario

Sedan in a fast sweeper.

Inputs

Weight:3,500 lb

CG:20 in

Width:110 in

LatG:0.9 g

Calculation

3,500 x 20/110 x 0.9 = 573 lb

Result

573-lb transfer, 286 lb per side.

Interpretation

Inside tires lose ~286 lb each; size bars and pressures for it.

Understanding Your Result

Your Result: Weight Transfer: 573 lb

What This Means

Load moving from the inside to the outside tires in a corner.

Why It Matters

Unloaded inside tires saturate first and cap total cornering grip.

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

Cornering leans load onto the outside tires through the CG height.

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

•Lower CG with ballast placement and ride height
•Wider track cuts transfer directly
•Use with tire load sensitivity to predict grip loss

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.

Does weight transfer reduce total grip?

Yes — tire load sensitivity means the loaded outside tire gains less than the inside tire loses.

How do I reduce weight transfer?

Lower the CG, widen the track, or corner at lower G; springs and bars only change how fast it happens.

Related Calculators

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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.