Washer & Dryer Load Capacity Guide
How much laundry fits by drum size.
Load Capacity by Drum Size
| Drum size | Approx. load | What fits |
|---|---|---|
| 2.2 cu ft | 8-10 lb | A few days of clothes for one or two people; compact and stackable units. |
| 3.5 cu ft | 12-14 lb | A typical family load of everyday clothes or a set of sheets and towels. |
| 4.5 cu ft | 16-20 lb | Large family loads; many models can handle a king-size comforter. |
| 5 cu ft | 20-22 lb | Extra-large loads, bulky bedding and fewer loads per week. |
Loading Tips
- Fill the drum loosely — clothes need room to tumble. Packing it tight cleans poorly and strains bearings and belts.
- Pair your dryer to your washer: a dryer drum should be roughly twice the washer's capacity so clothes dry evenly.
- Wash bulky items like comforters on their own, and check the care label and your manual's maximum.
- Repeated overloading is a common cause of unbalanced-load errors, suspension wear and shaking.
Washer shaking or dryer taking forever? See Washing Machine repair and Dryer repair.
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Refrigerator Repair
A household refrigerator keeps fresh food cold with a fresh-food section and usually a freezer compartment, cooled by a sealed refrigerant system and a set of fans.
View serviceWashing Machine Repair
A washing machine fills a tub with water, agitates or tumbles laundry with detergent, then drains and spins water out of the clothes.
View serviceDryer Repair
A clothes dryer tumbles wet laundry in a heated drum and vents moist air outside through a duct.
View serviceDishwasher Repair
A dishwasher sprays heated water and detergent over loaded dishes, drains the dirty water, rinses and dries them in a timed cycle.
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An oven is an enclosed heated cavity, gas or electric, that bakes, roasts and broils using a thermostat or sensor to hold temperature.
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A range combines a cooktop and an oven in one freestanding or slide-in unit, powered by gas, electricity or both.
View serviceMicrowave Repair
A microwave uses a magnetron to produce microwave energy that heats food inside a shielded cavity, in countertop, over-the-range or built-in styles.
View serviceIce Maker Repair
A built-in ice maker is a dedicated undercounter appliance that freezes clear ice cubes on an evaporator plate and stores them in an insulated bin.
View serviceMore free tools
- Appliance Error Code Lookup
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- Parts Price Estimator
- Instant Repair Quote
- Maintenance Schedule Generator
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- Model Number Finder & Decoder
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- Appliance Recall Lookup
- Refrigerator Size Calculator
- Schedule an Appointment
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