Trip Packing List Calculator

Set your trip length and bag, and the calculator returns a realistic number of tops, bottoms, layers, and shoes so you do not overpack.

Trip packing list calculator beside a folded stack of clothes and a carry-on bag
Count each night away.
Will you be able to wash clothes during the trip?
The weather you expect for most of the trip.
What you plan to travel with.
Tops
4
Mix and match to stretch each one
Bottoms
4
Choose pairs that work with several tops
Underwear and socks
5 pairs
Includes spares for travel days
Layers or sweaters
1
A light layer for cool evenings
Shoes
2 pairs
Wear the bulkiest pair on the plane
Trip summary
5 day trip: 4 tops, 4 bottoms, 5 underwear and socks, 1 layers, and 2 pairs of shoes.
Counts with laundry access
DaysTopsBottomsUnderwear + socks
3334
5445
7556
10667
14889

How the counts work

The calculator starts with one outfit per day, then trims it when you have laundry access, because washing mid-trip means each top and bottom works more than once. It adds a spare set of underwear and socks for travel days and delays, then adds shoes and layers based on your bag and the climate.

Adjust for climate and bag

Warm trips need little more than a light layer, while cold trips call for two: a mid layer and an outer shell. A carry-on keeps you to two pairs of shoes, one on your feet and one packed. A checked bag can carry a third pair if the itinerary truly needs it.

Pack fewer than one outfit per day

Choose bottoms that match several tops, so a week of clothes becomes a handful of pieces you can mix. Wear your bulkiest shoes and jacket on the plane. If you pack one unique outfit per day, you will run out of room long before you run out of days.

Questions about this calculator

How many outfits should I pack for a seven day trip?

With laundry access, about four tops and four bottoms cover a week because you wash and rewear. Without laundry, plan closer to one top per day plus a spare, and bottoms that match several tops.

How many pairs of underwear should I pack?

Pack one set per day plus two spares when you have no laundry, and about half the days plus two when you do. The extra pair is for travel days, delays, and the day your bag arrives late.

How many shoes should I pack for a week?

Two pairs for a carry-on, one on your feet and one packed for the main activity. A checked bag can take a third pair if you have a specific need like hiking or a formal dinner.

Does laundry access change my packing list?

Yes. When you can wash mid-trip, you roughly halve your tops, bottoms, and underwear. That is what makes a week in a carry-on realistic. Check whether your hotel or rental actually has a machine before you count on it.

How many tops and bottoms for a ten day trip?

With laundry, about six tops and six bottoms at ten days. Without laundry, plan roughly eleven tops and ten bottoms. The table above shows the counts for common trip lengths.

Should I pack one outfit for each day?

Only if every day needs a distinct look. Most trips work better with mix-and-match pieces that share bottoms and layers, which cuts bulk and leaves room for shoes or gifts.

What if I am checking a bag?

A checked bag lets you add a third pair of shoes and a heavier layer, but the clothing math stays the same. More space is not a reason to pack an outfit you will not wear.