Caster Load per Wheel Calculator

Turn the total weight on a cart into the minimum rated capacity each caster needs, with an uneven-floor allowance and a safety factor you choose.

Enter the fully loaded weight of the cart, rack, or dolly, the number of casters, and the safety factor you want to carry. The calculator divides the load by the number of casters that actually share it: with the uneven-floor allowance on, that is one fewer than the number fitted, because a loaded cart on an uneven floor can rest on three of its four wheels.

The result is the capacity to look for on a caster datasheet, before any static or dynamic rating is confirmed. Pair it with the caster count calculator when you have a candidate rating in hand, and read the sizing guide before ordering a set.

Inputs

Note

Cart and caster inputs

Total weight of the cart and load

Range: 0–40,000 lb

Include the equipment, the payload, and any attachments that ride on the casters.

Number of casters carrying load

Range: 3–12

Count every wheel that touches the floor. Three or more casters are expected; a two-wheel hand truck is not covered by the one-wheel-unloaded allowance.

Load distribution method

Industry guidance expects a four-caster cart to share load across three wheels, because floor irregularities can leave one wheel unloaded.

Safety factor

Range: 1–3

About 1.25 for smooth handled loads, 1.5 for powered towing or shock, 2 to 3 for drop loading. Confirm against your supplier's application guidance.

Result

Load-bearing wheels used in the calculation

3.00

Required capacity per caster

208.3

What to check

Divide the load by the number of sharing wheels (n minus one when the uneven-floor allowance is on).
Multiply by the chosen safety factor, defaulting to 1.25 for steady loads.
Confirm the selected catalog number is a dynamic rating and note any published de-rating.