Travel Packing List Calculator
Work out how many of each item to pack based on trip length, laundry access and climate.
Last updated · View algorithm, constants and default inputs (JSON)
About this calculator
This page applies a simple clothing-count model to your trip length, laundry interval, climate, activities and checked-bag choice. The five-day cap when checked baggage is off is only a model assumption; it does not represent any airline’s carry-on size or allowance. Use the list as a starting point and adjust it to your plans. Without a checked bag, the clothing estimate is capped at five packing days; plan laundry or adjust for longer trips. Tick items as you pack.
Worked example
calculated with the default values below
Trip length 10 days · Days between laundry loads 0 days · Climate Temperate · Activities Leisure and sightseeing · Checked baggage Checked bag included Packing quantities 7 / 4 / 11 / 10 / 2 · Days of clothing to pack for 10 days · Tops 7 · Bottoms 4 · Underwear 11 · Socks 10 · Pairs of shoes 2 · Climate and activity extras Layers, a light rain jacket and a compact umbrella | Comfortable walking shoes and a day bag
General background references
Disclaimer
These calculators give general estimates. Sizing, pricing, availability and standards vary by brand, retailer and country, so treat the output as a starting point and confirm it against the seller's or authority's own figures.
Implementation source
This record describes the implementation used by this page. It is not independent validation. External references, when available, support only the stated formula or definition; estimates and custom rules retain their own assumptions.
Formula and variables
p₀ = { min(d,l), l > 0; d, l = 0 }; p = { p₀, c = 1; min(p₀,5), c = 0 }; tops = ⌈p ÷ 1.5⌉; bottoms = ⌈p ÷ 3⌉; underwear = p + 1; socks = p
- p,p₀
- Packing days; laundry-limited days
- d
- Trip days
- l
- Laundry interval (days)
- c
- Checked-bag flag (1 yes, 0 no)
- tops,bottoms
- Tops; bottoms
Shoes = 2 pairs (3 for active/beach); climate and activity extras come from lookup tables (text).
Frequently asked questions
Why is the packing list capped at five days without checked baggage?
Five days is this model’s planning cap when “no checked bag” is selected. It is not an airline carry-on allowance and does not calculate bag capacity or airline rules. Clothing counts use the capped packing days and the page’s stated item ratios.