Boeing 747 Freighter Specifications
Factory freighter weights and cargo volumes compared, with engine, equipment and weight-option assumptions stated.
The figures below come from Boeing's airport-planning manuals. They describe particular configurations: comparing the variant name alone hides engine, equipment and weight-option differences.
Weights and cargo space
Scroll the table horizontally on smaller screens. Metric weights and volumes are converted from pounds and cubic feet; rounding may differ slightly from the manual.
| Specification | 747-400F | 747-400ERF | 747-8F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum takeoff weight | 875,000 lb (396,893 kg) | 910,000 lb (412,769 kg) | 987,000 lb (447,696 kg) |
| Maximum landing weight | 666,000 lb (302,093 kg) | 666,000 lb (302,093 kg) | 763,000 lb (346,091 kg) |
| Maximum zero-fuel weight | 635,000 lb (288,031 kg) | 611,000 lb (277,145 kg) | 727,000 lb (329,762 kg) |
| Representative operating empty weight | 363,954 lb (165,087 kg) | 362,400 lb (164,382 kg) | 434,600 lb (197,131 kg) |
| Representative structural payload | 271,046 lb (122,944 kg) | 248,600 lb (112,763 kg) | 292,400 lb (132,630 kg) |
| Usable fuel | 57,065 US gal (216,014 L) | 53,765 US gal (203,522 L) | 59,734 US gal (226,117 L) |
| Main-deck container volume | 18,720 cu ft (530.1 m³) | 18,720 cu ft (530.1 m³) | 24,462 cu ft (692.7 m³) |
| Lower-deck container volume | 5,536 cu ft (156.8 m³) | 5,600 cu ft (158.6 m³) | 5,850 cu ft (165.7 m³) |
| Lower-deck bulk volume | 520 cu ft (14.7 m³) | 520 cu ft (14.7 m³) | 520 cu ft (14.7 m³) |
Configuration and sources
747-400F
GE CF6-80C2B1 planning example at 875,000 lb MTOW, with optional 666,000 lb MLW, 635,000 lb MZFW and tail fuel. Main-deck volume uses 29 ten-foot containers.
Source: Boeing D6-58326-1, Revision F (December 2024), printed page 2-8.
747-400ERF
GE CF6-80C2B5-F planning example. Main-deck volume uses 29 ten-foot containers; lower-deck container volume uses LD-2s. OEW varies with equipment and operator.
Source: Boeing D6-58326-1, Revision F (December 2024), printed page 2-12.
747-8F
987,000 lb MTOW planning option. Boeing's estimated OEW and structural payload depend on equipment and operator configuration. The freighter has no tail fuel tank.
Source: Boeing D6-58326-3, Revision E (January 2026), printed page 2-2.
Why the ERF can show less payload than the F
The selected -400F example includes the optional 635,000 lb maximum zero-fuel weight. The -400ERF table uses 611,000 lb. A higher takeoff-weight limit does not automatically mean more structural payload: the selected zero-fuel limit and empty weight determine it. These are comparisons of documented configurations, not universal rankings of all aircraft.
The -8F has more main-deck container volume, but usable load also depends on cargo density, floor limits, restraint, loading sequence and centre of gravity. Volume and payload cannot be treated as interchangeable measures.
Payload is not range
Structural payload is MZFW minus OEW. Fuel must fit within takeoff weight after the aircraft and payload are accounted for. Actual route capability also depends on weather, engine installation, cruise strategy and reserves. Consult the manual's section 3 payload-range charts for the chosen configuration rather than pairing unrelated headline figures.
Factory and converted freighters
Factory freighters have a nose cargo door and a short upper deck. Passenger conversions retain their original fuselage arrangement and use an added main-deck side cargo door. Their empty weight, cargo volume and approved loading limits depend on the conversion programme; factory figures above should not be applied to them.
Sources
Facts on this page are checked against the primary and institutional references below.
Related topics
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747-400ERF
The 747-400ERF freighter launched in April 2001 and first went to Air France, with a maximum payload of 248,600 lb.
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