---
title: "How much does a helicopter weigh?"
description: "A helicopter weighs 1.2–9.979 t (2,650–22,000 lb). How that compares to other things, and where the number comes from."
url: https://atoneplace.net/weight/helicopter/
site: "At One Place"
---

# How much does a helicopter weigh?

**Typical weight: 1.2–9.979 t**

That is 2,650–22,000 lb, or 1,200–9,980 kg.

A utility helicopter in the class of the UH-60 Black Hawk; light civil helicopters are roughly a third of these figures.

> Empty weight of a Black Hawk; maximum take-off weight is 9,979 kg. A light two-seater weighs about 1,200 kg empty.

## How that compares

*Helicopter against things of a similar mass.*

- African elephant: 2,200–10,400 kg
- Helicopter: 1.2–9.979 t
- Ambulance: 3,200–6,800 kg
- MRI machine: 3,000–11,000 kg
- Orca: 1,300–10,000 kg
- Tractor: 1,000–15,000 kg
- Forklift: 2,200–8,000 kg
- Asian elephant: 2,000–6,000 kg

## More about a helicopter

- [Helicopter vs Shipping container](https://atoneplace.net/vs/helicopter-vs-shipping-container/) — Side by side

## Common questions

### How much does a helicopter weigh?

A helicopter weighs 1.2–9.979 t (2,650–22,000 lb). Empty weight of a Black Hawk; maximum take-off weight is 9,979 kg. A light two-seater weighs about 1,200 kg empty.

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- [Helicopter vs Shipping container](https://atoneplace.net/vs/helicopter-vs-shipping-container/)

## Sources

- Typical range compiled from manufacturer specifications — At One Place (/about/)