Backpack Size Calculator: How Many Litres Does a Trip Need?
Pack size is easy to guess wrong in both directions. A base load plus per-day, season, and shelter additions gives a saner starting point.
What is the Backpack Capacity Calculator?
Enter trip length, season, and whether you carry a tent. The tool builds a litre estimate from a base load plus per-day and seasonal additions. This is a rough planning estimate: packing style and gear bulk move real needs a lot.
How to use it
- Enter trip length in days.
- Pick the season and shelter type.
- Click Estimate Pack Size.
Worked example
A 3-day summer trip carrying a tent estimates 25 + 15 + 0 + 10 = 50 litres.
What pack size for a 3-day summer trip with a tent?
About 50 litres on this rough model: 25 base, 15 for the days, and 10 for the tent.
Frequently asked questions
Is bigger always better?
No. An oversized pack invites overpacking, and the extra weight slows you down.
Does it cover food and water?
The per-day addition is meant to cover food and consumables in rough terms.