How Much Does A Hot Tub Weigh?
While many new hot tub buyers take into account the brand, the style, and the features on a hot tub before purchase, they often forget to consider the weight. Hot tubs can be very heavy, especially when they are filled with water.
Knowing how much your hot tub weighs can help you to install it safely, avoiding hazards in the future.
If you’re looking to learn more about how the weight of a hot tub should impact your buying decision, continue reading.
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Why Does Hot Tub Weight Matter?
If you’re looking to install a hot tub in your home, there are multiple reasons that the weight could be an issue.
There are hot tub pad requirements to consider, or you may be wondering if you can put a hot tub on your deck.
The last thing you need is your concrete to crack under the weight which could cause problems in the structure of your hot tub, potentially rendering it useless.
Having your hot tub fall through your deck wouldn’t be fun either. If you’d like to avoid this, read our article titled How To Determine If A Deck Can Support A Hot Tub.
As you can see, we’re talking about the weight of a filled hot tub vs. an empty one here.
But another consideration might be the installation itself. If your hot tub gets delivered to your home, will you have the proper tools, strength, or help to get it into your yard?
Maybe you foresee yourself moving within the next few years and you’re wondering if you’ll be able to take your hot tub with you when you’re ready.
Well also cover the weight empty hot tub which you’ll need to know for installation and transportation purposes.
How Much Does An Empty Hot Tub Weigh?
So we know that no two hot tubs are the same. Although come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, we can typically estimate the overall average hot tub weight depending on the capacity.
A small hot tub, one that holds anywhere from 2-3 people, will usually hover anywhere from 300-500 pounds.
On the other hand, larger hot tubs, those that hold anywhere from 5-7 people, usually hover closer to 1000 pounds.
Anything in the middle will usually hover around 700, as you could’ve guessed, hot tubs that are larger can easily weigh up to 1,500 pounds or more.
Do keep in mind that these are all rough estimates, If you have a particular model in mind, we recommend looking up that particular model to see the dry weight specs.
How Much Does A Full Hot Tub Weigh?
There are a few things that you need to know before trying to figure out the weight of a hot tub when it is full.
Let’s say we have a relatively small hot tub that weighs around 350 pounds, which has a water capacity of about 250 gallons. If we want to find the filled weight, all we have to do is add the empty weight to the weight of the water that it can hold inside.
Since we know that a gallon of water weighs about 8.34 pounds, we can calculate the water weight at around 2,085 pounds. Add that 2,058 pounds to your 350-pound empty hot tub weight to get a combined weight of 2,435 pounds.
Of course, don’t forget that your hot tub won’t just be sitting around empty. You will likely have some people in it too!
For average sake, let’s throw in two people at 150 pounds each. Add the tub at 350 pounds, the water weight at 2,085 pounds, and the two people at 150 pounds each (300 pounds), and we get a complete weight of 2,735 pounds.
Now, remember, this tub is fairly small. If we were to calculate the total weight of a larger hot tub with both the water and the people, we could easily end up with a combined total weight of around 6,000 pounds or more!
Where To Install A Hot Tub?
There are many places you may want to install your hot tub, including the backyard, the patio, or maybe even indoors! Who doesn’t want a nice hot tub deck? However, it is important that you take caution, as irresponsible hot tub placement could lead to irreparable damage.
Many homes have a safety factor of 40 PSF (pounds per square foot). Even smaller hot tubs hover around 50-60 PSF. This is without water or people too! This means that even without being inside it, you risk damaging the structural integrity of your home if you misplace your hot tub.
In some cases, you may even risk breaking a few laws.
No matter how large of a hot tub you decide to buy, we recommend taking extra care in placing and installing it.
Yes, Hot Tubs Weigh A Lot
Hot tubs are incredibly heavy and that is no secret. Of course, if you want to cut down on the overall weight of your hot tub for whatever reason, you may want to consider getting an inflatable hot tub instead. They are much more portable compared to traditional hot tubs and have much lower average weight specs.
Whichever hot tub you ultimately decide on, be sure to calculate the overall weight before you buy it in preparation for installation, and so that you can protect your home and landscape.
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It’s not uncommon to buy a used hot tub and move it to your house. But when you do that and have to move it, it’s natural to wonder how much does a hot tub weigh?
Here’s what I learned in doing that myself:
An empty 2-3 person hot tub weighs 600 lbs but will weigh up to 300 lbs with water and people. A 4-5 person hot tub will weigh 750 lbs empty or 4400 lbs with water and people, and a 6-8 person hot tub will be 800 lbs empty or 5,500 lbs full of water and people.
And even those can vary depending on the brand.
So, there’s a lot more to know about hot tubs and weight. And we didn’t even cover (yet) inflatable hot tubs.
Not only is a hot tub heavy, but you might find it quite difficult to end up moving them as well. So if you’re curious about the weight, and how to move a hot tub, please pay close attention.
Luckily, we’ll be showing you how much hot tubs weigh (by size), and how you should go about moving them as well.
So let’s dive right in.
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@CozyJerry @AdamLauder moving the old hot tub, Flintstones style. Veteran Team Depot event in Citrus Heights. pic.twitter.com/lVRqvKUlBZ
— Scott Geisel (@ScottGeiselHDI) September 11, 2015
Hot tub weights by size and capacity
Here’s a handy chart showing an estimate of each of those and how much they weigh (roughly) empty, full, and at capacity with occupants:
Type of Hot Tub | Empty Weight | With Water Weight | With People & Water Weight |
Small 2-3 person hot tubs | 600 lbs | 2,575 lbs | 3,000 lbs |
Medium 4-5 person hot tubs | 750 lbs | 3,700 lbs | 4,420 lbs |
Large 6-8 person hot tubs | 800 lbs | 4,300 lbs | 5,500 lbs |
Inflatable hot tubs (2-3 people) | negligible | 2,200 lbs | 2,700 lbs |
Inflatable hot tubs (4-6 people) | negligible | 2,700 lbs | 3,700 lbs |
The weight of a hot tub is entirely dependent on its capacity.
This number is not made up of just the water capacity, by the number of people that it’s designed to hold. Typically, before you purchase your hot tub, you should have at least a rough idea of whether it is large or small in size.
So let’s take a look at how much each type of hot tub tends to weigh
A small hot tub, one that is designed for only two or three people, only weighs about 600 pounds when it contains zero water.
This makes it relatively easy to move a smaller hot tub around on your own, but make sure you don’t have any water in it, or that number could reach up to 3,000 pounds.
A larger hot tub, one that is designed to hold up to around 6 people at a time, is going to weigh about 800 lbs.
Many larger hot tubs tend to weigh upwards of 1,000 pounds. And with water, that number can reach up to 6,000 pounds.
Therefore, when you want to move a larger hot tub, you’re going to need some real help.
Are those numbers universal for all hot tubs?
Unfortunately, those numbers are just industry averages when it comes to hot tub weight by capacity. So if you’re unsure about how much your particular hot tub weights, please pay close attention to the brief list that follows:
- A 150-gallon hot tub (5 feet by 7 feet) will tend to weigh about 300 pounds without the water (these are considered to be the smallest on the market)
- A 7 feet by 7 feet hot tub can weigh upwards of 855 pounds on average without the water
- Other hot tubs may fall between these measurements, and in some cases, larger tubs can weigh over 1,000 pounds
Why does weight matter?
Weight matters for a few reasons. But aside from making them easy to move, you need to consider where you’ll be putting your hot tub.
If you have a large hot tub, being held up by a deck, 3,000 pounds could be too much weight. The result could leave you with a broken deck, broken hot tub, and potential injuries.
In a recent article, I break down EXACTLY how to determine if your deck can support the weight of your hot tub. My current hot tub is indeed sitting on a deck. So figuring this out was crucial.
Just click the link to read it on my site.
How can I find out the exact weight of my hot tub?
The numbers we gave you above were industry averages. And, not all hot tubs or spas are made the same way. If you want to find the exact weight of your hot tub, you can always find that number in your owner’s manual.
Knowing how heavy your hot tub is can be crucial for when it comes time to move it, or if you’ll be having it supported by a wood-based deck.
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— Middle Class Dad (@middleclassdad1) November 3, 2019
How much does it cost to move a hot tub?
On average, expect to pay between $300 and $400 to move a portable hot tub locally from one house to another. But disconnecting power at one location and connecting power at the new location will add to the cost.
If you want to have a hot tub moved, by professionals, it is not going to be cheap.
It’s likely not as expensive as you may think, but anything that requires professional help is going to cost you some of those hard-earned dollars. So before you think about moving your hot tub, please keep that in mind.
At my last house, I bought a used hot tub on Craigslist for $150. I paid 2 guys to move it who did an outstanding job. They charged me $350 to move it from point A to point B, about 30 miles apart from each other.
So how much do most companies charge to move a hot tub?
At first, you’ll need to consider the size of your hot tub. If your hot tub is on the larger side, it’s obviously going to cost you quite a bit to have it moved.
Not only do you need to worry about the size of the tub, but also keep these features in mind:
- Additional components
- Electrical fixtures
- Additional wiring needs
- External plumbing equipment
- Any additional technology (ozone system, water softener, etc)
The more technology your hot tub has, the more money it will be to have it moved.
Okay so how much does it cost, then, on average?
The average cost to move a hot tub, as I mentioned above, is anywhere between $300 and $400 dollars.
As we mentioned before, this price may vary depending on the hot tub. But that’s the price tag you’ll likely be looking at. Plus, believe it or not, most companies will actually provide you with free estimates as well.
Some factors you should also keep in mind are:
- The distance it will be moved
- How far away the new location is that it will be moved to
- Any additional work needs to be done to the new location it will be moved to
- If you’ll only be moving it across your backyard
When you’re considering having your hot tub moved by professionals, please keep in mind some of the factors we talked about above.
This can help you determine where your price tag may fall between those two numbers provided.
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How much does a swim spa weigh?
A swim spa will weigh a minimum of 3,000 pounds empty and as much as 12,000 lbs or more when full of water. However, swim spa lengths can vary considerably as ones that are 18 feet in length can weigh more than 15,000 lbs.
Swim spas are a bit different.
As the name suggests, it’s a hybrid between a small pool and a hot tub. Sometimes they are built into the ground like an in-ground pool.
But they have freestanding versions too. And they can be indoor or outdoor. While they can be heated, many use them at normal water temperature. They use a paddlewheel to generate a current of water so you can swim in place but it feels like you’re moving.
Since anything in-ground isn’t designed to be moved, we’ll focus mostly on freestanding swim spas.
So how much would a swim spa weigh?
When it comes to determining this number, it’s a bit more tricky than usual. Some can weigh up to 12,000 pounds with water added. Just know that the size is the biggest factor as they can be as long as 14′ or up to 18′.
The width isn’t much different than a large hot tub. But an extra 4 feet add a lot of water and a lot of water weight.
For the exact weight of a spa pool, you’ll need to consider taking a look at your owner’s manual.
Why do swim spas weigh more than hot tubs?
Swim spas tend to be bigger, and require more power to operate the giant paddlewheel.
So while they might not seem that different, swim spas tend to weigh almost double the standard weight of most portable hot tubs.
Hot Tub Moving Season is upon us! If you’re in Akron, Cleveland or Medina, give us a call for an estimate pic.twitter.com/Xi4CWsNXob
— Jones Moving (@akronmover) February 22, 2017
How do you move a hot tub by yourself?
To move a hot tub by yourself, follow these steps:
- Disconnect power to the hot tub
- Remove the cover and set it aside
- Drain the hot tub fully
- Using 2 or more individuals and a hand truck, set the hot tub gently on its side
- Use furniture sliders to slide the hot tub across the grass to the location of the moving vehicle
- Use a flatbed truck, gently laying the hot tub back down flat
If you’re bold, or just have a low-weight hot tub, you can feel free to try and move it on your own.
Please keep in mind that this should only be done with hot tubs that fall at or under 600 pounds. Any hot tub over that weight can be incredibly heavy, and you could injure yourself in the process.
So how should I go about moving it?
Moving a hot tub is not a one-person job. Even if your hot tub only weighs 300 pounds, it’s probably too big for you to carry it on your own.
So, when it comes to moving your hot tub, you’ll want to consider bringing some strong friends with you (place at least 2 people on each side and turn it over).
The next thing you’ll want to do is place the hot tub on its side.
This will allow you to grab a better grip on it, and make things easier on you overall. If you’ll be moving it across properties, make sure you bring the appropriate trailer that you need.
I paid a company to move a used hot tub I bought at my previous house.
2 guys and a flatbed trailer knocked that out in no time and I was impressed! They did stand it up on end and they had a thick plastic piece with built-in handles that they set under the bottom of it which made sliding it incredibly easy!
Now, this is crucial, before you put the hot tub down on the trailer, make sure you line the metal surface with a type of plywood or two by four. This will make sure the hot tub does not get scratched.
Note to self: next time someone asks for help moving a hot tub in the rain when your back is already sore, say no. pic.twitter.com/akFKm8Hji0
— Kevin (@k_klassen11) October 17, 2019
Can you transport a hot tub on its side?
A hot tub can be moved on its side from the original site to the moving vehicle. However, once on the vehicle, it is ideal to lay it flat for driving. This is to minimize damage and ensure safety. But if securely strapped, it can be kept on its side while driving.
Just make sure if you have it standing on end in a moving vehicle or flatbed trailer that you really secure it with straps.
Again, even empty these can weigh between 600-800 lbs.
You don’t want that falling over in a truck, or (worse) flipping out of a flatbed trailer and possibly causing damage or serious injury to others. And that’s to say nothing of destroying the hot tub if that happened.
So if possible, lay it flat once you get it to the transport vehicle.
Final thoughts
The weight of a hot tub is going to vary based on the size of your hot tub or spa. It’s not that the weight is hard to manage, it’s that the weight can make it difficult to move or place it on a deck.
When you consider the weight of your hot tub, be sure to only use this as a guide. If you want exact numbers, always refer to your owner’s manual.
Also, please keep in mind that when it comes time to move a hot tub, you should always consider using a professional service. Not only will this make the job easier and hassle-free, but it could save your hot tub from becoming damaged along the way.
When it comes to time to move your hot tub, make sure you handle it with care, and you’ll get the job done right.
One common question all hot tub owners have is about what chemicals to add.
After all, there are tons out there and it can be confusing. It can also waste your money buying things you don’t need. Plus some chemicals can really irritate your skin.
I break it all down in a comprehensive guide to take the mystery out of it. That way you only buy what you need, and can skip the rest.
Just click the link to read it on my site!

A lawyer never retires. So I would just say that I am not as active as I used to be. Now I simply dedicate myself to fishing, my hobby, and my grandchildren. For Business Finance News I write about legal aspects of mortgage policies, mostly regarding the rights of policyholders. I also have articles about personal injuries.