Hot tubs might be the embodiment of relaxation, but even the simplest ones weigh a few hundred pounds. So if you’re in the market for a hot tub or want to relocate your current one, knowing the weight of the hot tub is crucial for safe placement and installation.
The weight of a hot tub depends on its size and the materials used. For example, a smaller four-person acrylic hot tub typically weighs between 350 and 400 pounds empty and around 3,000 pounds when filled. However, concrete tubs can weigh a few thousand pounds dry and up to 7,500 pounds when filled.
Since there’s such a wide variety of hot tubs, and it can be pretty confusing to figure out the weight of yours without proper guidance. To help you out, let’s look at some popular hot tub types and estimate the weight of each one.
How Much Does a Hot Tub Weigh?
Hot tubs are made of several different materials and come in a range of sizes and shapes, so the weight can vary greatly. When you include the water, the weight of a hot tub can easily reach up to a few thousand pounds.
On average, inflatable plastic hot tubs are the lightest, weighing between 42 and 80 pounds. The next in line are roto-molded plastic tubs, which weigh between 250 and 500 pounds. Acrylic and fiberglass hot tubs, meanwhile, usually range between 300 and 800 pounds.
Wooden hot tubs typically weigh around 400 pounds, and concrete hot tubs can weigh up to 2,000 pounds.
These figures are general estimates of the dry weight of six-person hot tubs. Once you fill the tub with water and add the weight of people soaking in, the total weight will be three or four times higher.
Now let’s look at some specific examples of different types and sizes of hot tubs.
1. Inflatable Hot Tubs
Inflatable hot tubs are usually made from thick vinyl or PVC and have air bladders and foam insulation. This makes the body super light, but adding water changes everything.
An average 4-person vinyl hot tub can hold 300 gallons of water; each gallon weighs 8.34 pounds, so a full tub could weigh over 2,500 pounds.
| Size | Dry Weight (lbs) | With Water (lbs) |
| 4-person | 50 | 2,550 |
| 6-person | 60 | 3,000 |
| 8-person | 70 | 3,500 |
This estimate still doesn’t include the weight of people soaking in the tub. When you have 5 or 6 people inside, the weight of an inflatable hot tub can easily reach 4,000 pounds or more.
2. Semi-Rigid Portable Hot Tubs
These hot tubs are made of a combination of rigid foam and plastic. They have the advantage of being incredibly lightweight (like inflatable hot tubs) but with more structural integrity.
But don’t get fooled by the term “portable” because once they’re filled with water, even portable tubs don’t really remain portable at all.
Portable tubs are usually only available in smaller sizes, for 2 or 4 people, but you may find a 6-person tub on occasion.
| Size | Dry Weight (lbs) | With Water (lbs) |
| 4-person | 250 | 2,800 |
| 6-person | 250 | 3,400 |
| 8-person | 500 | 4,000 |
In addition to plastic portable tubs, you can also find acrylic or stainless steel portable hot tubs. As these tubs are usually expensive and custom-made, the exact weight depends on the customization.
3. Acrylic Hot Tubs
Acrylic hot tubs are among the most common and heavy hot tubs. That’s because a lot of materials go into them, like steel framing, fiberglass insulation, resin panels, and acrylic sheets. Even the smaller sizes start at around 400 pounds.
| Size | Dry Weight (lbs) | With Water (lbs) |
| 4-person | 400 | 3,000 |
| 6-person | 550 | 3,600 |
| 8-person | 700 | 4,200 |
Built-in acrylic tubs, reinforced with concrete and steel, can weigh up to 1,000 pounds or even more when dry.
4. Fiberglass Hot Tubs
These hot tubs are also known as one-piece hot tubs because all the components, including the shell and frame, come in one large unit. But in terms of weight, fiberglass tubs are similar to acrylic tubs and weigh between 400 and 1,000 pounds, depending on the size and features.
| Size | Dry Weight (lbs) | With Water (lbs) |
| 4-person | 400 | 3,000 |
| 6-person | 550 | 3,600 |
| 8-person | 700 | 4,200 |
Fiberglass tubs have one advantage over acrylic tubs: They’re slightly more durable, so built-in applications require less reinforcement, making them somewhat lighter.
5. Wooden Hot Tubs
Wooden hot tubs have been around for hundreds of years and are still popular as the most timeless and elegant hot tubs. They’re mostly made from cedar or redwood and include some steel reinforcements, making them a bit on the heavier side.
| Size | Dry Weight (lbs) | With Water (lbs) |
| 4-person | 300 | 2,800 |
| 6-person | 400 | 3,300 |
| 8-person | 500 | 3,900 |
Wooden hot tubs designed with acrylic or fiberglass lining are slightly heavier than standard all-wooden models, often weighing up to 500-700 pounds without water.
6. Concrete Hot Tubs
Concrete hot tubs are the heaviest of all, and most of this weight comes from the bulk of concrete used for the tub’s shell. That’s why these tubs usually come as in-ground and built-in applications.
Concrete tubs are normally built bigger, accommodating more people than any other tubs, so the standard size starts at 6-8 person tubs.
| Size | Dry Weight (lbs) | With Water (lbs) |
| 4-person | 2,000 | 5,500 |
| 6-person | 3,000 | 6,500 |
| 8-person | 4,000 | 7,500 |
So, depending on your choice of hot tub, you’ll be looking at 2,500-7,000 pounds of a hot tub filled with water. That’s a huge weight!
Before installing or even buying a hot tub of this size, you’ve got to be aware of what type of placement it requires and how much weight your deck, patio, or floor can take. If they’re not given proper support, these heavy bodies can easily cause structural damage to your property.
Can a Deck Take the Weight of a Hot Tub?
A standard deck typically can’t support the weight of a filled hot tub. Most local codes across the USA mandate a design and framing that can handle up to 10 lbs per square foot, which is less than half of even the lightest hot tub.
However, the strength of a hot tub depends on the joist span and the number of posts and beams used, so you can calculate the load capacity of your particular deck by taking measurements and using a deck load calculator.
You can also reinforce your deck with additional posts and support beams or build a custom platform on the deck to better handle the weight of a hot tub. However, even with reinforcements, it’s best to stick with lighter options like acrylic or fiberglass tubs.
How Hard Is It to Move a Hot Tub?
The answer is both yes and no. A lighter inflatable PVC hot tub or a portable spa can be moved from one place to another with relatively minimal effort.
On the other hand, if we’re talking about a full-sized 6-8 person acrylic or wooden hot tub, it can become a pretty big job.
For safety, you’ll need the help of at least two strong people, preferably three to four, and the right equipment to move hot tubs like a hand truck or furniture dolly, 2x4s, straps, ropes, and maybe even specialized hot tub moving blankets.
Once you’re ready, drain all the water and disconnect the power and water lines. Lift the tub from one side and slide 2x4s underneath. Then lift from the other side and do the same.
You can then place the hot tub on a dolly and roll it to its new location or load it on a trailer with straps and ropes for long-distance moves. But remember, even with 2-4 people, lifting and moving hot tubs is back-breaking work and it should be handled with care.
