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Free Tool · C172 & PA-28 · Visual CG Envelope

Weight & Balance Calculator

Enter your fuel load, passenger weights, and baggage — get gross weight, CG position, and an instant visual showing whether you're inside the envelope. Pre-loaded for Cessna 172S and Piper Cherokee 180.

⚠ For training and reference only. Always use your aircraft's actual POH/AFM for official weight & balance calculations before flight.

Cessna 172S — Loading Inputs

Enter weights in pounds. Fuel in gallons (Avgas = 6 lb/gal).

Aircraft empty weight Arm: 39.9 in
Basic empty weight
From your aircraft's weight & balance sheet
lb
Front seats Arm: 37.0 in
Pilot
lb
Front passenger
(0 if empty)
lb
Rear seats Arm: 73.0 in
Rear left passenger
(0 if empty)
lb
Rear right passenger
(0 if empty)
lb
Fuel Arm: 48.0 in
Fuel loaded
Max 53 gal usable (318 lb)
gal
Baggage Arm: 95.0 in
Baggage area
Max 120 lb
lb

Within limits

Adjust inputs and click Calculate to check your specific loading.

Gross weight
Max 2,550 lb
CG location
Range: 35.0–47.3 in
Useful load used
Max useful load
Total moment
lb·in ÷ 1000

CG Envelope — Cessna 172S

Loading manifest

ItemWeight (lb)Arm (in)Moment (lb·in)

How weight & balance works

Weight refers to the total loaded weight of the aircraft. It must not exceed the maximum gross weight specified in the POH. Exceeding maximum gross weight degrades performance, increases stall speed, and may exceed structural limits.

Balance refers to the location of the center of gravity (CG) — the point where the aircraft would balance if suspended. The CG must remain within the forward and aft limits specified in the POH for all phases of flight.

CG = Total Moment ÷ Total Weight
Moment = Weight × Arm (distance from datum)
Total Moment = Sum of all individual moments

Forward CG limit: Increases stability but makes the aircraft harder to rotate for takeoff and increases stall speed. Aft CG limit: Reduces stability and control effectiveness. Flying beyond the aft CG limit can make the aircraft uncontrollable.

Always use your specific aircraft's POH/AFM for official calculations. Empty weight and arm values vary between individual aircraft of the same model.