What Is Tare Weight in Trucking?
Also called: Empty Weight, Unladen Weight
Tare weight is the weight of an empty vehicle, trailer or container with no cargo in it. On a scale ticket, you subtract the tare from the gross weight to get the weight of the cargo, called the net weight. Different sources count fuel and fluids differently, so check how your paperwork defines tare before you rely on a number.
Last reviewed September 23, 2026
Key Points
- Tare weight is the weight of the empty vehicle, trailer or container. Gross weight minus tare weight is the net weight of the cargo
- A scale ticket usually shows gross, tare and net. Check which numbers were weighed and which were copied from paperwork
- Tare is not the same as GVWR. GVWR is the most the vehicle is built to carry. Tare is what it weighs empty
- Curb weight and tare weight are close but not always the same. Curb weight usually includes fluids, and some sources count tare differently
- A truck's empty weight changes with fuel, equipment and the driver. A weight taken on a certified scale is more reliable than a brochure
- Tare helps you work out how much cargo you can carry, but axle weights and legal limits still apply
What is tare weight?
Tare weight is the weight of the empty vehicle, trailer or container, before any cargo goes on. In trucking it is the starting point for working out how much freight a load weighs. The weight of the cargo alone is the net weight. You get it by weighing the truck loaded, which gives the gross weight, and subtracting the tare. Because different people count fuel, fluids and fittings differently, the same truck can show slightly different tare weights on different papers.
How do you find the tare weight of a truck or trailer?
The most reliable way is to weigh it empty on a certified scale and write the number down. Check the weight on the same day with the same fuel level, if you can. Some owners and manufacturers also list an empty weight in the paperwork or spec sheet, but that number may leave out equipment you added later. A trailer's weight depends on its make, length, floor and fittings, so do not guess from another trailer. Weigh yours.
How do you work out net weight?
Subtract the tare from the gross. For example, if a loaded truck and trailer weigh 74,500 pounds on the scale and the empty rig weighs 33,000 pounds, the net weight of the cargo is 41,500 pounds. This is an example only. Your numbers will differ. Net weight is what a bill of lading usually reports for the cargo, while gross weight is what you check against legal limits.
Is tare weight the same as curb weight?
They are close, but they are not always the same. Curb weight is usually the weight of a vehicle with its fuel and fluids but with no cargo or passengers. Tare weight is the weight of the empty vehicle, and different sources count fuel and fluids differently. If a number matters, find out what it includes. A weight from a certified scale, taken as you plan to run, avoids the question.
Does tare weight matter for legal limits?
Tare weight itself is not a legal limit. The limits apply to the gross weight, the axle weights and the bridge formula. Tare helps you plan, because it tells you how much cargo you can add before you reach those limits. The federal limit on the Interstate is 80,000 pounds gross, with 20,000 pounds on a single axle and 34,000 pounds on a tandem. Use a scale to check each axle, because a load that is legal on gross weight can still be over on an axle.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is tare weight on a truck?+
Tare weight is the weight of the empty truck or trailer with no cargo. On a scale ticket, subtract the tare from the gross weight to get the weight of the cargo, called the net weight.
Is tare weight the same as curb weight?+
They are close but not always the same. Curb weight usually counts fuel and fluids but no cargo or passengers. Tare weight is the empty weight, and sources differ on what they count. Check what your paperwork includes.
Is tare weight the empty weight?+
Yes. Tare weight is the weight of the vehicle, trailer or container when it is empty. Gross weight minus tare weight gives the net weight of the cargo.
How do you calculate the tare weight of a truck?+
Weigh the empty truck on a certified scale. If you have a loaded weight and a net cargo weight, subtract the net from the gross to get the tare. A scale weight is more reliable than a brochure, because fuel and equipment change the number.
What is the tare weight of a trailer?+
It depends on the trailer's make, length, floor and fittings, so there is no single number. Weigh your trailer empty on a certified scale and keep the ticket.
What is the difference between tare weight and GVWR?+
Tare is what the vehicle weighs empty. GVWR is the most the manufacturer says it can weigh when loaded. The gap between them is roughly the payload, though axle ratings can set a lower limit.
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This is industry terminology and typical practice. It is not legal or tax advice. Rates, fees, and rules mentioned are general ranges. Confirm the details on your rate confirmation, carrier agreement, or a current official source.