According to international standards, the rated passenger capacity of an elevator is usually calculated based on a weight of 75kg per person. For example, an elevator with a rated load capacity of 800kg is recommended to carry no more than 11 passengers at a time.
The average weight of passengers can vary depending on regional differences and whether they are carrying belongings. Therefore, a certain safety margin is usually included in elevator design and selection to ensure safe and stable operation in various usage scenarios.
The following are the numbers of passengers for elevators with different load capacities:
| Capacity (kg) | Passengers |
| 260kg | 3 |
| 320kg | 4 |
| 450kg | 6 |
| 630kg | 8 |
| 800kg | 10-11 |
| 1000kg | 13-14 |
| 1150kg | 15 |
| 1350kg | 18 |
| 1600kg | 21 |
| 1800kg | 24 |
| 2000kg | 26 |
When elevator capacity requirements exceed 2000kg, customization is necessary. For example, the world’s largest elevator, located at One World Trade Centre in Mumbai, India, has a capacity of 16,000kg and can transport 213 passengers at once.
How do Elevators SenseWeight?
Elevators sense weight by using load cells or pressure sensors installed at the bottom of the car. When the weight exceeds the preset rated load, the system will issue an alarm and prevent the elevator from closing to ensure safety.