Weighted Blanket Calculator — Find the Right Weight
Enter your body weight and age group to instantly find the recommended weighted blanket weight. Occupational therapists generally recommend a blanket that is 7–12% of the user's body weight, with 10% being the commonly cited optimal for adults.
Weight unit
kg
User profile
Optimal weight — approximately 10% of body weight for adults
- 1
Optimal percentage for profile
10%Occupational therapy guideline for this age profile. - 2
Recommended blanket weight
70 kg × 0.1 = 7
How does this calculator work?
Choose a weighted blanket that weighs roughly 10% of your body weight (7–12% range for adults; 5–10% for children; 5–8% for seniors). For a 70 kg adult the ideal blanket is about 7 kg, with an acceptable range of 4.9–8.4 kg.
Formula
How this is calculated
Weighted blankets work through deep-pressure stimulation, which activates the parasympathetic nervous system and can reduce anxiety and improve sleep. Occupational therapists (OTs) developed the percentage-of-body-weight guideline to match the applied pressure to the user's size: too light provides no benefit; too heavy can feel restrictive or unsafe.
For adults, the consensus range is 7–12% of body weight, with 10% as the starting recommendation. Children and adolescents are typically given a lighter ratio (5–10%) because they are still developing and because a blanket that is too heavy carries a greater risk of overheating or difficulty removing it without assistance. Seniors or individuals with limited mobility are advised to stay toward the lower end of the range (5–8%) for the same safety reasons.
These are starting points. Comfort is subjective — some people prefer a heavier feeling than the guideline suggests, while others find it too much. It is generally best to trial the recommended weight before going heavier. Always supervise young children using weighted blankets.
Frequently asked questions
The 10% guideline originated in occupational therapy practice and has been widely adopted, but the research base is limited — most studies are small. The range (7–12%) reflects clinical experience rather than a precise threshold. Start at the recommended weight and adjust for comfort.
Weighted blankets are generally not recommended for children under 3–4 years old, or for those who cannot remove the blanket independently. For older children, use the calculator's Child profile (5–10%) and always supervise use. Consult an occupational therapist if your child has sensory processing or motor concerns.
Yes. The blanket should cover the body but not hang over the sides of the bed — excess overhang reduces the effective pressure on the body. Most weighted blankets are sized for individuals rather than sharing, since the weight is designed for one person's body weight.
Also known as
TG we-Calculate Editorial Team. (2026). Weighted Blanket Calculator — Find the Right Weight [Online calculator]. TG we-Calculate. https://we-calculate.com/calculator/weighted-blanket-calculator
TG we-Calculate Editorial Team. "Weighted Blanket Calculator — Find the Right Weight." TG we-Calculate. 2026. https://we-calculate.com/calculator/weighted-blanket-calculator.
TG we-Calculate Editorial Team, "Weighted Blanket Calculator — Find the Right Weight," TG we-Calculate, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://we-calculate.com/calculator/weighted-blanket-calculator
@misc{wecalculate_weighted_blanket_calculator, title = {Weighted Blanket Calculator — Find the Right Weight}, author = {{TG we-Calculate Editorial Team}}, howpublished = {\url{https://we-calculate.com/calculator/weighted-blanket-calculator}}, year = {2026}, note = {TG we-Calculate} }
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