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Ergonomics · Free tool

NIOSH lifting calculator

Calculate an origin recommended weight limit and lifting index using measured geometry and verified multipliers.

Enter your values

Check this tool fits your task

For an applicable two-handed, single lifting task. Not for one-handed, seated, kneeling, unstable-load or carrying tasks. FM and CM must be selected from the NIOSH manual; this tool does not select them for you.

Actual load, including its container.
Midpoint of ankles to hands, measured horizontally.
Hands above floor at the start.
Used to calculate vertical travel distance.
NIOSH asymmetry angle; 0 means directly in front.
Select from manual Table 5 using lifting frequency, duration, recovery and height. Do not enter lifts/minute here.
Select using manual Table 7: grip quality and hand height.

Your result

Enter your values, or try the example to see how it works.

How to use this tool

  1. Check the scope and collect measured or verified input values.
  2. Enter values using the displayed units, then calculate.
  3. Read the result, calculation breakdown and next steps together.
Worked example

Illustration: 15 kg, ideal origin geometry, 25 cm travel, FM/CM 1 → RWL 23 kg and LI 0.65. Example multipliers are not defaults for your task.

The example button fills illustrative values. Where a scope confirmation is shown, check it yourself before calculating.

Method and references

RWL = 23 kg × HM × VM × DM × AM × FM × CM. LI = load / RWL. H below 25 cm uses 25; travel below 25 cm uses 25. The origin geometry is assessed only.

For an applicable two-handed, single lifting task. Not for one-handed, seated, kneeling, unstable-load or carrying tasks. FM and CM must be selected from the NIOSH manual; this tool does not select them for you.

Common questions

Does LI below 1 mean safe?

No. Applicability, destination control, worker factors and other hazards still need assessment.

Why enter FM manually?

Correct selection needs frequency, duration and recovery information. Use the linked manual; a guessed multiplier gives a misleading answer.

Can I assess the destination too?

Where destination control is significant, perform its assessment separately with the correct destination geometry and multiplier selections. Use the lower RWL to assess the lift.

Public beta · Check the method and inputs with a competent reviewer before operational use.

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