Dead Weight Cargo Tonnage Calculator

Calculate the maximum weight a ship can carry including cargo, fuel, freshwater, provisions, and ballast water based on ship dimensions and capacity

Input Parameters

Default value for seawater at 15°C

Calculation Results

Calculation Formula

DWT = L × B × T × Cb × ρ

Where:
DWT = Dead Weight Tonnage
L = Length of ship (meters)
B = Beam of ship (meters)
T = Draft of ship (meters)
Cb = Block Coefficient (typically 0.65-0.80 for commercial vessels)
ρ = Water density (kg/m³)

Dead Weight Cargo Tonnage Calculator Calculator Usage Guide

Learn how to use the Dead Weight Cargo Tonnage Calculator and its working principles

How to Use This Calculator

  1. Enter the ship's length in meters (L)
  2. Enter the ship's beam (width) in meters (B)
  3. Enter the ship's draft (depth) in meters (T)
  4. The water density defaults to 1025 kg/m³ (seawater at 15°C), but can be adjusted if needed
  5. Enter the ship's block coefficient (Cb). This is typically between 0.65 and 0.80 for commercial vessels. The default is 0.70
  6. Click the "Calculate" button to compute the Dead Weight Tonnage
  7. The result will be displayed in tonnes

Understanding Dead Weight Tonnage (DWT)

Dead Weight Tonnage (DWT) is the maximum weight a ship can carry including:

  • Cargo
  • Fuel oil
  • Freshwater
  • Provisions (food and supplies for crew)
  • Ballast water
  • Ship's own weight

Important Notes

  • This calculator provides an approximation based on the formula: DWT = L × B × T × Cb × ρ
  • The block coefficient (Cb) affects the shape of the ship and its volumetric capacity
  • For precise calculations, consult ship specifications or naval architectural software
  • DWT is different from Gross Tonnage (GT), which measures ship volume differently