When you think of 500 pounds (lbs), it might sound like an enormous weight—but you’d be surprised how many items around the home actually weigh close to this. For reference, 500 pounds equals 226 kilograms, or about the combined weight of three to four average adults.
In this article, we’ll explore 15 common household items that weigh around 500 pounds, giving you a better sense of what this weight looks and feels like in real life.
15 Household Items That Weigh 500 Pounds
1. A Grand Piano
A typical grand piano can weigh between 500 to 1,200 pounds, depending on its size and design. Smaller baby grands usually fall closer to the 500-pound mark.
2. A Refrigerator-Freezer Combo
Large, side-by-side or French door refrigerators often weigh around 400–600 pounds when empty. Once stocked with food and drinks, the total can easily reach 500 pounds.
3. A Home Gym Set
Complete home gym systems with weights, pulleys, and benches can add up to 500 pounds or more, especially if you include dumbbells and plates.
4. A Water Heater
A large water heater, especially a 75-gallon tank, can weigh 450–550 pounds when full of water. Even when empty, many weigh a couple hundred pounds.
5. A Sofa Sectional
Big L-shaped or U-shaped sectional sofas with reclining features often tip the scale at 450–550 pounds, especially when made from solid wood and heavy upholstery.
6. A Bathtub
Cast iron bathtubs are extremely heavy, with some weighing 350–500 pounds before adding water. With water inside, they can weigh well over 1,000 pounds.
7. A Large Safe
Home security safes designed to store valuables or firearms can weigh 500 pounds or more, making them nearly impossible to move without special equipment.
8. A Full Bookshelf
An oversized bookshelf filled with books can reach 500 pounds surprisingly quickly. Hardcover books average 1–2 pounds each, so a large collection adds up fast.
9. A Pool Table
Standard 8-foot pool tables weigh between 400 and 700 pounds, depending on whether they use slate tops. A mid-range model often lands around 500 pounds.
10. A Chest Freezer
Large chest freezers with a 20–25 cubic foot capacity typically weigh 400–500 pounds when fully stocked with food.
11. A Dining Table with Chairs
A solid wood dining table and a full set of 6–8 matching chairs can weigh around 500 pounds combined. Heavier wood like oak or mahogany adds even more.
12. A Washing Machine & Dryer Set
Separately, most washing machines weigh 150–250 pounds, and dryers weigh 100–200 pounds. Together, a washer and dryer pair can easily hit the 500-pound mark.
13. A Mattress and Bed Frame
A king-size mattress weighs 150–200 pounds, and a solid wood or upholstered bed frame can weigh another 250–300 pounds. Together, they can total around 500 pounds.
14. A Fish Tank with Water
A 100-gallon aquarium, once filled with water, gravel, and decorations, can weigh nearly 500 pounds. Since water weighs about 8.34 pounds per gallon, the weight adds up fast.
15. An Upright Piano
Not as heavy as a grand, but many upright pianos weigh 400–600 pounds, making them another household item that lands right around the 500-pound range.
Final Thoughts
So, how heavy is 500 pounds? It’s the weight of:
- A grand piano or upright piano
- A large refrigerator or water heater
- A pool table, sofa sectional, or bathtub
- Or even a giant fish tank
These examples show just how common—and surprisingly heavy—500-pound household items can be. Whether you’re moving, renovating, or just curious, understanding these weights helps put things in perspective.