Skip to content
ENExplore Calculators

Dead Load Calculator

Work out dead load instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Dead Load Calculator

Dead load is the permanent weight of the construction: the structural slab at about 25 kN/m³, cement screed and tiling at roughly 21 kN/m³, plus an allowance for suspended ceilings, ductwork and lighting. Each component is thickness in metres times unit weight, giving kilopascals directly.

Formulas

Component loads

kPa = thickness m x unit weight kN/m³

Total

Dead load = slab + screed and finishes + services allowance

Worked example

With the default values below, Dead Load Calculator returns Total dead load of 5.300. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Slab thicknessminimum 25 mm
150 mm
Screed and floor finish thicknessminimum 0 mm
50 mm
Ceiling and services allowanceminimum 0 kPa
0.5 kPa
Concrete unit weightminimum 10 kN/m³
25 kN/m³

Results

Total dead load
5.300 kPa
Slab self weight
3.750 kPa
Screed and finishes
1.050 kPa
Services share of dead load
9.4% %

Step by step

  1. 1Values used
  2. 2Component loads
  3. 3Total
  4. 4Total dead load= 5.300 kPa
  5. 5Slab self weight= 3.750 kPa
  6. 6Screed and finishes= 1.050 kPa
  7. 7Services share of dead load= 9.4 %

Assumptions and limits

  • The result is derived only from the 4 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
  • In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
  • Figures are rounded for display to 3 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.
  • Preliminary estimate only. Dead loads must be confirmed against actual construction build-ups and the loading code in force.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Preliminary estimate only. Dead loads must be confirmed against actual construction build-ups and the loading code in force.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the Dead Load figure worked out?

kPa = thickness m x unit weight kN/m³. Dead load is the permanent weight of the construction: the structural slab at about 25 kN/m³, cement screed and tiling at roughly 21 kN/m³, plus an allowance for suspended ceilings, ductwork and lighting.

Are partitions dead or live load?

Fixed partitions are dead load and should be assessed on their actual line weight. Demountable partitions are usually covered by an equivalent uniform allowance in the live load.

What values do I need to enter?

This calculator takes 4 inputs: Slab thickness, Screed and floor finish thickness, Ceiling and services allowance, Concrete unit weight. The pre-filled defaults are a realistic worked example — replace them with your own site or project figures.

Related Calculators

Dead Load Calculator | Calcrivo