How to Weigh Luggage at Home Before a Flight

Check the allowance for the operating airline, route and fare. Decide which limit applies to each bag. A weight posted for a different cabin or itinerary may not apply to yours. Use the same unit on the airline page and your scale.

Weigh the full bag with a stable setup

Pack the bag as it will travel, including any outside accessories. If you use a hanging scale, follow its instructions and keep the bag clear of the floor until the reading settles. Use a floor scale if lifting the bag is awkward. A bathroom scale can give an estimate by weighing yourself with and without the bag if you can hold it safely.

Leave a margin

Take two readings and allow some room for differences between scales and the items you add at the last minute. Check the dimensions and total number of bags separately. If you are near the limit, decide what can stay home before leaving.

Plan the return trip too

Pack the scale if you expect to bring anything back or weigh the bag at your accommodation. Recheck the return segment’s allowance if a different airline operates it. Keep the heaviest items in the bag they are allowed to travel in.