Military Weight Allowances by Rank
Here’s the quick answer: Your military weight allowance for a permanent change of station (PCS) move runs from 5,000 pounds for E-1 to E-3 without dependents to 18,000 pounds for O-6 and above. It’s set by your pay grade and whether you have dependents, and it’s the same for every branch. Professional gear (pro gear) of up to 2,000 pounds for you and 500 pounds for your spouse doesn’t count against it.
This guide covers the full chart, what counts toward your allowance, what happens if you go over, and how your allowance caps a personally procured move (PPM). For the full PCS process, start with our military moving guide.
Here’s the PCS household goods weight allowance for every pay grade, in pounds:
| Pay grade | Without dependents | With dependents |
|---|---|---|
| O-6 to O-10 | 18,000 | 18,000 |
| O-5 / W-5 | 16,000 | 17,500 |
| O-4 / W-4 | 14,000 | 17,000 |
| O-3 / W-3 | 13,000 | 14,500 |
| O-2 / W-2 | 12,500 | 13,500 |
| O-1 / W-1 | 10,000 | 12,000 |
| E-9 | 13,000 | 15,000 |
| E-8 | 12,000 | 14,000 |
| E-7 | 11,000 | 13,000 |
| E-6 | 8,000 | 11,000 |
| E-5 | 7,000 | 9,000 |
| E-4 | 7,000 | 8,000 |
| E-1 to E-3 | 5,000 | 8,000 |
Moving more than your allowance covers? Start with movers that have a proven track record:
Jump to the weight allowance info you need:
Hiring movers for a PPM? Compare two of moveBuddha’s top-rated Certified movers, both of which handle PPM moves:
rating
4.9 / 5
- Best overall value
- Veteran owned
- Portion to charity
rating
4.9 / 5
- Certified crews
- Flat-rate pricing
- Family-owned
How does a military weight allowance work?
Your weight allowance is the most household goods weight the government will move for you at its expense on a PCS. It comes from the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR), and it depends on your pay grade and your dependency status.
The allowance is the same for the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, and Coast Guard. Branches differ in how they counsel and book your move, not in how many pounds you get.
“With dependents” refers to having a dependent who’s eligible to travel at government expense. Military Times notes you get the with-dependents figure even if your dependent isn’t part of the move. It also notes that each branch’s top enlisted leader gets 17,000 pounds with dependents and 14,000 without. Enlisted members or warrant officers who become officers can keep their old allowance if the new grade’s is lower.
Your weight allowance sets what the government pays for. See what moving the rest yourself would cost.
What counts toward your weight allowance?
Everything you ship, store, or send ahead at government expense comes out of one combined allowance. A May 2025 Marine Corps Installations Pacific guide says the allowance covers household goods you ship, place in storage, or send as unaccompanied baggage, plus goods already stored at government expense.
- Household goods: Your main shipment of furniture, appliances, and boxes.
- Unaccompanied baggage: The smaller, faster shipment on an overseas move, such as kitchen basics and seasonal clothes.
- Non-temporary storage: Anything the government stores for you during your tour.
Overseas moves can have tighter limits. Some locations with government-furnished housing set an administrative weight limit below your full allowance, so ask your transportation office about your new duty station before you plan your shipments.
Your weight allowance only matters if you know roughly what you own. Estimate your move by home size and distance.
How much pro gear can you move on a PCS?
You can move up to 2,000 pounds of professional books, papers, and equipment (PBP&E), and it doesn’t count against your weight allowance. A NAVSUP pro gear guide citing JTR paragraph 051304 says no waiver exists for the 2,000-pound limit, and your spouse can move up to 500 pounds with prior approval.
Pro gear has to be declared up front, or it counts as regular household goods. NAVSUP’s guide says to:
- Declare it in DPS. Add pro gear and its estimated weight to your move application in the Defense Personal Property System.
- Get spouse items approved. Your personal property office has to approve spouse pro gear before it’s packed.
- Have it packed separately. The mover packs, marks, and weighs pro gear on its own.
- Check the inventory. Pro gear that isn’t on the inventory before pickup can’t be declared afterward.
Pro gear means items you need for your job at the next duty station, such as reference materials, specialized tools, and field gear. The Army Benefits site excludes furniture, personal computers, sports equipment, and awards or plaques.
Ready to see what your whole move costs, pro gear included? moveBuddha’s calculator factors in your distance, home size, and services:
What happens if you go over your weight allowance?
If you go over, you pay a prorated share of the whole shipment’s cost. Military OneSource says you’re responsible for the extra expenses. Here’s an illustrative example from the DoD’s Per Diem, Travel and Transportation Allowance Committee, which maintains the JTR:
- Weight allowance: 8,000 pounds
- Weight moved: 8,500 pounds
- Cost to move all 8,500 pounds: $5,000
- Excess share: 500 ÷ 8,500, or about 6%
- What you owe: $300
If your weight looks wrong, request a reweigh before delivery. The Marine Corps reweigh guide says reweighs can only happen before your shipment is delivered, and you request one in DPS for your personal property office to approve.
The cheapest fix is shipping less. Sell or donate heavy, low-value items before your pickup, and leave yourself a buffer below your limit.
Over your allowance no matter what? Compare private mover prices for your route.
How does your weight allowance affect a PPM?
On a PPM, formerly called a DITY move, you’re paid only on the weight you actually move, up to your weight allowance. The Personal Property Activity (PPA) gives the example of a member with a 10,000-pound allowance who moves 8,000 pounds and is paid on 8,000 pounds.
Moving more than your allowance doesn’t earn more. The Marine Corps PPM handout says you’ll only be paid the maximum for your authorized allowance, so any weight above it is yours to pay for.
Your certified empty and full PPM weight tickets prove what you moved. See how much a PPM pays for what that weight is worth, or read our military PPM move guide for the full process.
Hiring movers for your PPM? Compare what each mover charges for your weight before you book. See how to hire movers for a PPM.
How do you estimate your household goods weight?
A common rule of thumb is about 1,000 pounds per room, not counting bathrooms, plus large appliances and anything in your garage or storage. The Naval Postgraduate School personal property office uses this estimate.
For a real-world reference, Hassan estimated his belongings at 4,500 pounds, or two rooms of furniture and about 40 boxes, for his April 2022 Navy PCS from Pennsylvania to Washington, he told moveBuddha’s Better Moves Project. His container quote assumed about 5,000 pounds, roughly 500 pounds more than his own estimate. Build a similar cushion into your own estimate so a few extra boxes don’t push you over your allowance. Read Hassan’s full story.
Expert tip: moveBuddha founder Ryan Carrigan says the number one reason a move’s inventory grows is underestimating boxes, because loose belongings are very hard to estimate. Count boxes generously, and see the legitimate ways movers can increase your final cost.
For a room-by-room count, use the USTRANSCOM weight estimator. On a government-arranged move, the mover’s pre-move survey gives you a better number. Start early, so you’ll have more time to sell or donate if you’re close to your limit.
Know your weight and want a price? Get free estimates from vetted movers.
More about military moves
- Military moving guide: Learn how a PCS works, from orders to delivery.
- Military PPM move guide: Learn how a PPM works, from counseling to filing your claim.
- How much a PPM pays: See how to calculate your PPM payment, what lowers it, and what you keep after taxes.
- PPM weight tickets: Find out how to get certified tickets for every PPM method.
- Military moving expense deduction: See whether PPM payments are taxable and how to claim moving expenses on Form 3903.
- PCS timeline: See every PCS task in date order, from orders to arrival.
- PCS move checklist: Get every task grouped by category, with a free printable PDF.
- Best military moving companies: Compare top movers for a PPM or a move after service.
FAQ
What is the weight allowance for an E-5?
The PCS weight allowance for an E-5 is 9,000 pounds with dependents and 7,000 pounds without. Pro gear of up to 2,000 pounds doesn’t count against it.
Is the weight allowance different for each branch?
No, the weight allowance isn’t different for each branch. Every service uses the same JTR table, so the same pay grade and dependency status get the same allowance.
What is the maximum PCS weight allowance?
The maximum PCS weight allowance is 18,000 pounds, for O-6 and above, with or without dependents. Each branch’s top enlisted leader gets 17,000 pounds with dependents.
Does pro gear count against your weight allowance?
No, pro gear doesn’t count against your weight allowance if you declare it before pickup. You can move up to 2,000 pounds, and your spouse can move up to 500 pounds with prior approval.
What happens if you go over your PCS weight allowance?
If you go over your PCS weight allowance, you pay a prorated share of the shipment’s cost for the excess weight. You can request a reweigh in DPS, but only before delivery.
Does a PPM pay for weight over your allowance?
No, a PPM doesn’t pay for weight over your allowance. You’re paid on the actual weight you move, up to your weight allowance.
Does unaccompanied baggage count toward your weight allowance?
Yes, unaccompanied baggage counts toward your weight allowance. Your household goods, unaccompanied baggage, and non-temporary storage all come out of one combined allowance.
Ready to plan your PCS? Compare truck, container, and mover costs for your route before you book:
Not what you were looking for?
Check out other categories that can help you find the information you need!
