Truck Payload Calculator
Calculate a truck or ute's available payload by subtracting its kerb weight and passenger and fuel load from the GVM.
Your results
Calculation breakdown
- Payload
- Payload = GVM - kerb weight - passengers and accessories
Worked example
A vehicle with a 3,500kg GVM, 2,200kg kerb weight and 200kg of passengers/accessories has about 1,100kg of payload remaining for cargo.
Assumptions
- GVM and kerb weight figures come from the compliance plate.
- Fuel above a bare tank and fitted accessories also reduce available payload.
How this calculator works
Payload is the maximum weight you can legally carry, calculated by subtracting kerb weight, passengers and accessories from the vehicle's Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM). Enter your vehicle's GVM, kerb weight and expected passenger and accessory weight to estimate remaining payload capacity for cargo.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I find my vehicle's GVM and kerb weight?
Both figures are on the compliance plate (usually in the engine bay or door jamb) or in your vehicle's owner's manual and specifications sheet.
What counts against payload besides cargo?
Passengers, fuel above a bare tank, fitted accessories like bull bars or canopies, and towbars all reduce available payload for cargo.
What happens if I exceed GVM?
Exceeding GVM is illegal, can void insurance in a crash, and may result in fines; always check your actual laden weight against the compliance plate rating.
Editorial review and responsibility
Reviewed by the CalcAussie editorial team on 21 September 2026. Review scope: Method, Australian terminology, material assumptions, source links and user-facing limitations.
Calculator results remain estimates based on the figures entered. Check material decisions against current official information and report a suspected error so it can be reproduced and corrected.