Garage door weight estimator
No scale handy? Estimate a door's weight from its size and construction: the number you need to size springs, pick an opener, or quote a job. Instant, no signup.
Why door weight matters
Weight is the number the rest of the door hangs on, literally. Torsion and extension springs are counterbalancing the door's weight, so a spring that's wrong for the weight either won't hold the door up or slams it down. The opener is sized to it too. Get the weight right and everything downstream gets easier.
How to actually weigh a door
When you can weigh it, that beats any estimate:
- Pull the opener release so the door is on the springs alone.
- With the springs relaxed or unwound (trained techs only; stored energy is dangerous), the door is dead weight.
- Set a bathroom scale under the bottom section and lift until the scale reads the full load, or use a spring-off scale method at the bottom bracket.
No scale on the truck? The estimator gets you a working number from size and construction.
Typical garage door weights
| Construction | Single 9 × 7 | Double 16 × 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Steel, single layer (non-insulated) | 98–124 lb | 166–212 lb |
| Steel, 2-layer (insulated) | 109–138 lb | 186–237 lb |
| Steel, 3-layer (insulated) | 125–159 lb | 216–275 lb |
| Aluminum & glass (full-view) | 142–181 lb | 245–312 lb |
| Wood, raised panel | 170–216 lb | 295–375 lb |
| Wood / composite, carriage or overlay | 197–251 lb | 344–438 lb |
| Fiberglass / composite | 98–124 lb | 166–212 lb |
Estimates for planning. A door with lots of glass, a heavy overlay, or wet wood can land above these ranges.
Want the full walkthrough, not just the tool? Read the field guide: How much does a garage door weigh? Real numbers by size and material
Frequently asked questions
How much does a garage door weigh?
A single (9×7) non-insulated steel door runs roughly 110–140 lb; a double (16×7) insulated steel door is commonly 180–220 lb; wood and full-view aluminum/glass doors weigh more. Weight scales with area and construction, so use the estimator for your exact size and type.
How do I weigh a garage door?
Disconnect the opener and, with the springs relaxed or removed (trained techs only), raise the door to the balance point and read a bathroom scale placed under the bottom section, or use a spring-off scale method. The estimator gives a ballpark when you can't weigh it.
Is an estimate good enough to order springs?
No. Spring selection is safety-critical and depends on the actual weight, drum, and drop. Use the estimate for quoting and opener sizing, but weigh the door (or use the manufacturer's spec) before ordering or winding springs.
Does insulation add much weight?
Yes. A 2-layer insulated steel door is noticeably heavier than a single-layer pan door of the same size, and a 3-layer polyurethane door heavier still, which is why the estimator asks for construction, not just size.
Audrey does this in the truck, hands-free.
This calculator runs the exact logic built into Ask Audrey, where your techs just ask out loud and get the answer cited to your own manuals (then size the spring and opener). Every tech, a senior tech.