Drum kits can get pretty heavy making them quite difficult to transport. In this article I’ll give you a good idea of how much different types of drum kits and individual drums and cymbals weigh on average.
Average Drum Kit Weight
Standard 5-piece acoustic drum kits weigh approximately 110-120 lbs/ 50-55 kg when including all the cymbals, stands, pedals, mounts and the throne. Five-piece electronic drum kits usually weigh between 30-50 lbs/ 13.5-22.5 kg.
| Drum Kit Type | Average Weight (Metric) | Average Weight (Imperial) |
| 3-Piece Junior Acoustic Drum Kit (drums only) | 10.5 kg | 23 lbs |
| 3-Piece Junior Acoustic Drum Kit (including cymbals and assembly) | 16 kg | 35 lbs |
| 4-Piece Acoustic Drum Kit (drums only) | 24 kg | 52 lbs |
| 4-Piece Acoustic Drum Kit (including cymbals and assembly) | 48 kg | 106 lbs |
| 5-Piece Acoustic Drum Kit drums only) | 27 kg | 60 lbs |
| 5-Piece Acoustic Drum Kit (including cymbals and assembly) | 52 kg | 115 lbs |
| Electronic Drum Kit | 40 kg | 88 lbs |
Individual Drum and Cymbal Weight
In this next section I’ll go through the different components of a drum kit and how much each of them weigh individually. Here is a table to summarise.
| Drum Kit Component | Average Weight (Metric) | Average Weight (Imperial) |
| Bass Drum (20” x 16”) | 8.8 kg | 19.4 lbs |
| Snare Drum (14” x 5.5”) | 4.0 kg | 8.8 lbs |
| Rack Tom (10” x 8”) | 4.0 kg | 8.8 lbs |
| Floor Tom (16” x 16”) | 7.3 kg | 16.2 lbs |
| Hi-Hat Cymbals (14”) | 1.9 kg | 4.2 lbs |
| Crash Cymbal (16”) | 1.0 kg | 2.2 lbs |
| Ride Cymbal (20”) | 2.3 kg | 5.1 lbs |
| Cymbal Stand | 2.3 kg | 5.1 lbs |
| Hi-Hat Stand and Pedal | 3.6 kg | 8 lbs |
| Kick Pedal | 2.0 kg | 4.5 lbs |
| Dual Tom Mount | 2.3 kg | 5.1 lbs |
| Snare Stand | 2.1 kg | 4.7 lbs |
| Drum Throne | 5.0 kg | 11 lbs |
Bass (Kick Drum) Weight
Bass (kick) drums weigh approximately 9 kg (19.8 lbs). The weight of a bass drum depends on the size (depth and diameter), the shell thickness and material and the leg design.
Drum shells are usually made from either mahogany, birch, beech, maple or oak. Mahogany shells are the lightest followed by birch, beech, maple and finally oak. Here is the average density of each type of wood.
- Oak density: 770 kg/m3
- Maple density: 740 kg/m3
- Beech density: 720 kg/m3
- Birch density: 670 kg/m3
- Mahogany density: 560 kg/m3
As you can see from the figures above, mahogany is 37.5% less dense compared to oak. Hence, drums of the same size and thickness made from mahogany will be significantly lighter.
Here is a table showing the average weight of different bass drum sizes.
| Bass Drum Size | Average Weight (Metric) | Average Weight (Imperial) |
| 16” x 14” | 7 kg | 15.4 lbs |
| 18” x 14” | 7.5 kg | 16.5 lbs |
| 20” x 16” | 8.8 kg | 19.4 lbs |
| 22” x 18” | 10 kg | 22.0 lbs |
| 24” x 18” | 10.5 kg | 23.1 lbs |
Snare Drum Weight
Snare drums weigh approximately 3.5-4.0 kg (7.7-8.8 lbs) on average. The weight of a snare drum depends on the depth, diameter, shell material and shell thickness primarily.
Here is a table showing the average weight of different snare drum sizes.
| Snare Drum Size | Average Weight (Metric) | Average Weight (Imperial) |
| 12” x 5” | 3.0 kg | 6.6 lbs |
| 13” x 5” | 3.2 kg | 7.0 lbs |
| 14” x 5.5” | 4.0 kg | 8.8 lbs |
| 14” x 6” | 4.5 kg | 9.9 lbs |
Toms Weight
Rack toms weigh around 4.0 kg (8.8 lbs) and floor toms weigh approximately 7.5 kg (16.5 lbs). The weight of a tom depends on the depth, diameter, shell size and shell thickness primarily.
Here is a table showing the average weight of different rack and floor tom sizes.
| Tom Drum Size | Average Weight (Metric) | Average Weight (Imperial) |
| 8” x 6” Rack Tom | 3.5 kg | 7.7 lbs |
| 10” x 8” Rack Tom | 4.0 kg | 8.8 lbs |
| 12” x 9” Rack Tom | 4.3 kg | 9.5 lbs |
| 14” x 12” Floor Tom | 5.9 kg | 13.0 lbs |
| 14” x 14” Floor Tom | 6.5 kg | 14.3 lbs |
| 16” x 16” Floor Tom | 7.3 kg | 16.2 lbs |
| 18” x 16” Floor Tom | 8.2 kg | 18.0 lbs |
Cymbals Weight
A pair of hi-hat cymbals usually weighs around 2.0 kg (4.4 lbs). Splash cymbals weigh approximately 200 g (7 oz.), crash cymbals weigh roughly 1.0 kg (2.2 lbs) and ride cymbals weigh 2.3 kg (5 lbs) on average.
The weight of a cymbal is affected by the diameter, thickness and material.
Cymbals are made from copper alloys. The most common mixture is copper and tin which makes bronze. There are two main types of bronze: B20 and B8. The number (“8” or “20”) refers to the percentage of tin, with the rest of the mixture being made from copper.
Copper is denser than tin so cymbals made from B8 bronze (which contains more copper) are heavier compared to cymbals made from B20 bronze (which contain less copper).
Here is a table showing the average weight of different cymbal types and sizes.
| Cymbal Type and Size | Average Weight (Metric) | Average Weight (Imperial) |
| 13″ Hi-Hat Cymbals (Both) | 1.6 kg | 3.5 lbs |
| 14″ Hi-Hat Cymbals (Both) | 1.9 kg | 4.2 lbs |
| 16″ Hi-Hat Cymbals (Both) | 2.4 kg | 5.3 lbs |
| 6” Splash Cymbal | 0.15 kg | 0.3 lbs |
| 8” Splash Cymbal | 0.2 kg | 0.4 lbs |
| 10” Splash Cymbal | 0.25 kg | 0.6 lbs |
| 14” Crash Cymbal | 0.8 kg | 1.8 lbs |
| 16” Crash Cymbal | 1.0 kg | 2.2 lbs |
| 18” Crash Cymbal | 1.2 kg | 2.6 lbs |
| 18” Ride Cymbal | 1.8 kg | 4.0 lbs |
| 20” Ride Cymbal | 2.3 kg | 5.1 lbs |
| 22” Ride Cymbal | 2.7 kg | 6.0 lbs |
Weight of Kit Extras
Drum kits also contain other components to help assemble the kit and keep everything in place.
- Crash and ride cymbal stands weigh roughly 2.3 kg (5 lbs) each
- Hi-Hat cymbal stands with a pedal weigh approximately 3.6 kg (8 lbs)
- Kick pedals weigh approximately 2.0 kg (4.5 lbs)
- Tom mounts weigh roughly 2.3 kg (5 lbs) whereas a double tom stand weighs roughly 4.1 kg (9 lbs)
- Snare drum stands weigh 2.1 kg (4.7 lbs) on average
- Drum thrones (stools) weigh approximately 5.0 kg (11 lbs)
Drum Kit Types and Weight
In this next section we’ll be looking at the average overall weights of different types and sizes of drum kits starting with 3-piece kits.
Keep in mind that the number of pieces in the kit only refers to the number of drums. For example, a 3-piece kit will have 3 drums and can have any number of cymbals and still be referred to as a 3-piece kit.
3-Piece Acoustic Drum Kits
Three-piece drum kits typically have a snare drum, bass drum and rack tom. They also usually just have a single cymbal and are typically aimed at beginners and juniors. The individual drums typically weigh less compared to standard drums because they are smaller and usually have thinner shells.
Three-piece drum kits weigh approximately 14-18 kg (30-40 lbs) including the throne, kick pedal, cymbal and mounts.
Typical Example of a Three-Piece Kit:
- 12″ x 10″ Bass Drum = 4 kg/ 8.8 lbs
- 10″ x 4″ Snare Drum = 3.5 kg/ 7.7 lbs
- 8″ x 6″ Tom Drum = 3 kg/ 6.6 lbs
- 10″ Cymbal = 0.4 kg/ 0.9 lbs
- Drum Throne = 2 kg/ 4.4 lbs
- Kick Pedal = 1.2 kg/ 2.6 lbs
- Snare, Tom and Cymbal Mounts = 2 kg/ 4.4 lbs
Total = 16.1 kg/ 35.4 lbs
4-Piece Acoustic Drum Kits
Four-piece drum kits usually contain a bass drum, snare drum, floor tom, rack tom, hi-hat cymbal, ride cymbal and crash cymbal. Most 4-piece kits have full-size standard drums.
Four-piece drum kits typically weigh 50 kg (110 lbs) on average including the cymbals, stands, kick pedal, mounts and throne.
Typical Example of a Four-Piece Kit:
- 20″ x 16″ Bass Drum = 8.8 kg/ 19.4 lbs
- 14″ x 5.5″ Snare Drum = 4.0 kg/ 8.8 lbs
- 10″ x 8″ Rack Tom = 4.0 kg/ 8.8 lbs
- 16″ x 14″ Floor Tom = 7 kg/ 15.4 lbs
- 14″ Hi-Hat Cymbals = 1.9 kg / 4.2 lbs
- 16″ Crash Cymbal = 1.0 kg/ 2.2 lbs
- 20″ Ride Cymbal = 2.3 kg/ 5.1 lbs
- Crash Cymbal Stand = 2.3 kg/ 5 lbs
- Ride Cymbal Stand = 2.3 kg / 5 lbs
- Hi-Hat Stand and Pedal = 3.6 kg/ 8 lbs
- Kick Pedal = 2.0 kg/ 4.5 lbs
- Tom Mount = 1.8 kg/ 4.0 lbs
- Snare Stand = 2.1 kg/ 4.7 lbs
- Drum Throne = 5.0 kg/ 11 lbs
Total = 48.1 kg/ 106.1 lbs
5-Piece Acoustic Drum Kits
Five-piece acoustic drum kits are the most common and consist of a bass drum, snare drum, two rack toms, a floor tom, hi-hat cymbals, crash cymbal and ride cymbal.
Including all the drums, cymbals, kick pedal, stands, mounts and throne, a 5-piece drum kit typically weighs just over 50 kg (110 lbs).
Typical Example of a Four-Piece Kit:
- 20″ x 16″ Bass Drum = 8.8 kg/ 19.4 lbs
- 14″ x 5.5″ Snare Drum = 4.0 kg/ 8.8 lbs
- 8″ x 6″ Rack Tom = 3.5 kg/ 7.7 lbs
- 10″ x 8″ Rack Tom = 4.0 kg/ 8.8 lbs
- 16″ x 14″ Floor Tom = 7 kg/ 15.4 lbs
- 14″ Hi-Hat Cymbals = 1.9 kg / 4.2 lbs
- 16″ Crash Cymbal = 1.0 kg/ 2.2 lbs
- 20″ Ride Cymbal = 2.3 kg/ 5.1 lbs
- Crash Cymbal Stand = 2.3 kg/ 5 lbs
- Ride Cymbal Stand = 2.3 kg / 5 lbs
- Hi-Hat Stand and Pedal = 3.6 kg/ 8 lbs
- Kick Pedal = 2.0 kg/ 4.5 lbs
- Tom Mounts = 2.3 kg/ 5.0 lbs
- Snare Stand = 2.1 kg/ 4.7 lbs
- Drum Throne = 5.0 kg/ 11 lbs
Total = 52.1 kg/ 114.8 lbs
Expanded Acoustic Drum Kits
The weight of an extended/ expanded acoustic drum kit varies depending on how many pieces it has. If the additional components are cymbals, the weight will not be too much different compared to a 5-piece kit, however if additional floor toms are used then the weight can increase more significantly. Additional weight created by more mounts/ stands will also need to be factored in.
Electronic Drum Kits
Electronic drum kits typically weigh between 30 lbs and 50 lbs (13.6 kg and 22.7 kg). The weight usually differs due to the frame design as most electronic drum kits contain the same number of drums and cymbals.
Here is a table showing the weight of some popular electronic drum kits for comparison.
| Electronic Drum Kit | Weight (Metric) | Weight (Imperial) |
| Roland TD-1K | 11.5 kg | 25.3 lbs |
| Alesis Turbo Mesh (5-piece) | 13.2 kg | 29.0 lbs |
| Alesis Nitro Mesh (5-piece) | 13.4 kg | 29.5 lbs |
| Yamaha DXT402K | 23.6 kg | 52 lbs |
| Roland TD-1DMK | 24.5 kg | 54 lbs |
| Roland TD-07DMK | 24.9 kg | 55 lbs |
