Trail Food Weight Calculator
Work out how much food a trip will weigh before you pack it. Enter the number of days, the weight of food you plan for each one and a little spare, and the total follows.
- Free
- Works offline after your first visit
- Saves on this device
- No sign-up
- Updated
How it works
Multiply the food for one day by the number of days. The spare percentage is added to each day, to cover a slow day, a longer route than planned or an extra snack.
The starting figure is 2 pounds, about 0.9 kilograms, of food a day, which is in the range many backpackers plan for. Weigh a sample day of your own menu at home to get a better number for your appetite.
Worked example
For 4 days, with about 2.2 lb of food a day including the spare, the food comes to 8.8 lb to carry.
Questions
Should I count water in this?
No. Water weighs a lot and depends on the route, so count it separately.
How much spare should I add?
Many people add 10 to 20 percent. Trips with uncertain resupply points or a slower pace can use more.
Does the packaging count?
Only if you weigh the food in its packaging. Repacking into zip bags usually cuts weight, so weigh what you actually pack.
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