How this calculator works
Weighted blankets are usually chosen as a share of body weight, most often about 10 percent plus one pound. The extra pound stops a blanket that matches the percentage exactly from feeling slightly light, and it is part of most maker guidance. For two people sharing, the weights add: a 70 kg person and a 65 kg person share a blanket sized for 135 kg of body weight, which is far heavier than either would use alone, so a shared blanket is usually chosen for the lighter or average user rather than the sum. The range from 7 to 12 percent is wide, and comfort matters more than the exact number.
Formula
total body weight = your weight, plus the partner's weight for two people. suggested blanket = total body weight x share of body weight + 1 lb (0.454 kg). range = 7 percent to 12 percent of body weight, each plus 1 lb. weight per person = suggested blanket / number of people.
Worked example
One person of 70 kg at 10 percent plus 1 lb needs 70 x 0.10 + 0.454 = 7.45 kg, or about 16.4 lb. The range is 70 x 0.07 + 0.454 = 5.35 kg to 70 x 0.12 + 0.454 = 8.85 kg.
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Frequently asked questions
Who should not use a weighted blanket?
Weighted blankets are not recommended for children under two, and caution is needed for anyone who cannot remove the blanket themselves, has breathing difficulties, or has a medical condition affected by pressure or heat. Ask a health professional before using one for a child or someone with a health condition.
Can two people share one weighted blanket?
A shared blanket should fit each person, so choose the heavier of the two individual sizes, not the sum. A blanket heavy enough for the combined weight is likely to be uncomfortable and hard to move. Two single blankets are often the better choice.
Should the blanket cover the whole bed?
Usually the blanket should cover the body rather than the whole mattress. A smaller blanket that lies over the sleeper is easier to move and does not trap heat around the edges. The weight guideline is based on the person, not the bed size.
How much weight is too much?
There is no single safety limit, but the common range stops around 12 percent of body weight. If the blanket feels hard to push off or makes breathing uncomfortable, it is too heavy. Weighted blankets should always be easy to remove.