Packing list generator: quantities, volume and weight for your trip
This tool computes a packing list from five inputs: days away, season, how often you can do laundry, whether you are restricted to a carry-on, and the type of trip. Quantities follow a laundry cycle rather than the calendar, and every item is given a volume and a weight estimate so you can see whether the load fits before you pack it.
The list stops growing once your laundry cycle is shorter than your trip. Change the laundry setting and watch the totals move; that single input usually decides whether a carry-on is realistic.
Build the list
Quantities are computed from your laundry interval, not from the number of days. Weight and volume are estimates using the published assumptions in the table below.
This is arithmetic, not advice about what you should wear. Change one input at a time so you can see which one moves the total.
About this tool and its limits
Purpose: to support one decision, from numbers you supply.
Not suitable for: any medical, legal, safety or warranty decision.
Method type: arithmetic on your inputs, or an editorial rule stated below. It is not a validated model.
Accountable publisher: the editorial desk of this store.
Method version: 1.0. Last checked: 2026-09-14.
The calculation runs in your browser. This tool's own code does not save or transmit your answers. Separate site analytics and other services are described in our privacy policy.
| Input | What it means | Accepted values |
|---|---|---|
| Nights away | Used directly in the calculation. | any number, default 5 |
| Season you are packing for | Used directly in the calculation. | Hot, 28 C and above, Mild, 15 to 24 C, Cold, below 10 C, Mixed or shoulder season |
| Laundry access | Used directly in the calculation. | None at all, A machine about once a week, A machine every 2 to 3 days, Sink washing only |
| Bag you are taking | Used directly in the calculation. | Carry-on only, Checked bag allowed |
| Type of trip | Used directly in the calculation. | City or general travel, Beach or warm water, Hiking or outdoors, Business or formal |
Worked example
With the pre-filled values shown above, it returns:
| Headline result | 28 L and 8.1 kg |
| Trip profile | 5 nights, hot, carry-on only |
| Laundry cycle used | 5 days (no laundry, so the whole trip) |
| Clothing - tops | 7 |
| Clothing - bottoms | 2 |
| Clothing - underwear | 6 |
Calculation checks
| Case | Observed behaviour |
|---|---|
| Boundary input (highest accepted values) | 27 L and 10.4 kg |
| Invalid input (zero values) | 28 L and 8.1 kg |
These checks show the tool behaves as documented. They do not establish medical or scientific validity.
What this result cannot tell you. It is an estimate derived entirely from the numbers you enter, using the relationships described on this page. It does not measure your situation, it does not account for anything not listed as an input, and it cannot establish which product you should buy. Where the result matters for your health, safety, money or a warranty, treat it as a starting point and check it against the primary source linked at the bottom of this page.
Products and commercial interest. This store sells the products these guides discuss. Product data never changes a calculation. To report a problem, use the contact page and include this page's URL, the inputs you used and the result you expected.
How the quantities are computed
- Laundry interval. No laundry means the cycle is the whole trip. A weekly machine means seven days. A machine every two to three days means three. Sink washing means two, because only light items dry overnight.
- Cycle, not trip length. The tool takes the shorter of your trip and your laundry interval. That is why the list for 8 days and the list for 30 days are nearly identical when laundry is available.
- Tops. One per day of the cycle, plus one spare, capped at seven. Hot weather adds one for the day you sweat through the first, and a business trip adds one presentable option.
- Bottoms. One per two and a half days of the cycle, minimum two, capped at four. Cold weather adds a thermal bottom rather than more trousers, because trousers get reworn.
- Layers. The season adds mid-layers and an outer layer rather than more tops. Hot weather adds none, mild and mixed add one mid-layer, cold adds two plus an outer layer and warm accessories.
- Volume and weight. Every counted item is multiplied by the estimate in the assumptions table, then a 2 litre allowance for bag slack and the empty bag weight are added.
What the volume and weight estimates assume
These are model assumptions, not laboratory measurements. They exist so you can see exactly what the tool did and change your own numbers if you disagree. Reference capacity is 40 L for a carry-on and 70 L for a checked bag.
| Item | Volume per item | Packed weight per item |
|---|---|---|
| Top (t-shirt, shirt, blouse) | 1.1 L | 0.20 kg |
| Bottom (trousers, skirt, shorts) | 1.8 L | 0.40 kg |
| Underwear | 0.15 L | 0.04 kg |
| Socks | 0.12 L | 0.05 kg |
| Mid-layer (fleece, jumper, hoodie) | 1.6 L | 0.35 kg |
| Outer layer (puffer, insulated jacket) | 2.4 L | 0.75 kg |
| Sleepwear | 1.2 L | 0.25 kg |
| Packed pair of shoes | 3.5 L | 0.85 kg |
| Swimwear | 0.4 L | 0.15 kg |
| Hat, gloves and scarf together | 0.5 L | 0.30 kg |
| Toiletry bag | 2.5 L | 0.90 kg |
| Electronics pouch | 1.5 L | 1.00 kg |
| Documents folder | 0.2 L | 0.10 kg |
| Bag slack allowance | 2.0 L | included in the bag |
| Empty carry-on bag weight | not counted | 1.3 kg |
| Empty checked bag weight | not counted | 3.5 kg |
Use it with these
- What to pack in a carry-on, by trip length and season - the reasoning behind the counts
- Packing cubes vs compression bags - how to make the load take less space once the list is right
- Carry-on size and weight checker - the published limits of 23 airlines, with a source link per row
- Carry-on size rules - who sets the limits and why depth fails first
Sources
- Transportation Security Administration. Liquids, aerosols and gels rule (3-1-1) — www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/liquids-aerosols-gels-rule
- GOV.UK. Hand luggage restrictions at UK airports: liquids — www.gov.uk/hand-luggage-restrictions/liquids
- Lufthansa. Carry-on baggage rules — www.lufthansa.com/us/en/carry-on-baggage
- Emirates. Carry-on baggage rules — www.emirates.com/us/english/before-you-fly/baggage/cabin-baggage-rules/
- KLM. Hand baggage allowances on board — klm.com/information/baggage/hand-baggage-allowance
- Ryanair. Ryanair bag policy, help centre — help.ryanair.com/hc/en-us/articles/12888036565521-Ryanair-s-Bag-Policy
- American Airlines. Carry-on bags and size limits — www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/baggage/carry-on-baggage.jsp