EDC Carry-Weight Calculator
List what you carry to write with and get the total weight, a breakdown of what dominates it, and a verdict on how it’ll ride.
Total carry weight
Pocket-friendly for most trousers or a shirt pocket.
| Item | Qty | Weight | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fountain pen | 1 | 24 g | 30% |
| Mechanical pencil | 1 | 12 g | 15% |
| Pocket notebook | 1 | 40 g | 50% |
| Spare refills | 2 | 4 g | 5% |
How it works
Enter each item’s weight in grams and how many you carry; the tool multiplies by quantity, sums the total, converts it to ounces, and shows each item’s share so you can see what’s really weighing you down. The verdict maps the total onto simple carry bands.
Weigh items on a kitchen or pocket scale for real numbers, or use the manufacturer’s listed weights. Swapping a brass pen for an aluminium one, or a hardcover notebook for a softcover, is often the fastest way to lighten a kit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an everyday-carry pen weigh?
It varies a lot. A slim aluminium EDC pen might be 15–20 g, a brass or copper one 40–60 g, and a chunky machined pen with a heavy refill more still. A pocket notebook adds 30–60 g, and spare refills a couple of grams each. Adding them up is the point of this tool.
What counts as pocket-friendly?
As a rough guide, a kit under about 40 g barely registers in a pocket, up to around 90 g is comfortable in most trousers or a shirt pocket, 90–200 g is happier in a jacket or bag, and beyond that you'll probably want a dedicated case or a bag pocket. It's personal — but the bands give a useful starting point.
Why weigh a writing kit at all?
Because weight is the quiet reason a lovely pen ends up left at home. Knowing your kit's total — and which item dominates it — helps you decide what to carry every day versus what to keep on the desk.
Simple adding-up tool. Carry-comfort bands are a rough guide — what’s pocketable is personal.