If you’ve ever tried to read a digital book in bed and had your tablet slip and smack you right in the bridge of your nose, you know that weight matters. A lot. It's the difference between a device that feels like a portable sketchbook and one that feels like a literal tray of cafeteria food.
People ask how much does the ipad weigh because they’re trying to figure out if it'll kill their wrists during a three-hour flight or if it’ll disappear in a backpack.
The short answer? It depends. Apple’s lineup is kinda chaotic right now. You’ve got "Air" models that are actually heavier than the "Pro" models, and a "Mini" that is basically the weight of a heavy sandwich.
The Heavyweights and the Featherweights (2026 Edition)
Honestly, the biggest shocker in the current lineup is the iPad Pro. For years, "Pro" meant "Powerful and Heavy." But with the introduction of the M4 (and now M5) chips and those insanely thin OLED displays, the Pro has actually become the portability king.
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Let’s talk raw numbers for the stuff you’ll actually find on shelves today.
The 13-inch iPad Pro is the beast. It’s huge. But it only weighs 1.28 pounds (579 grams). Compare that to the 13-inch iPad Air, which actually clocks in at 1.36 pounds (617 grams). It’s weird, right? The "Air" is the heavier one. If you’re a digital artist holding this thing for hours, that 38-gram difference is something you will 100% feel in your forearm.
If you drop down to the 11-inch models, the gap stays. The 11-inch iPad Pro is a mere 0.98 pounds (444 grams). It’s the first time a full-sized iPad has dipped under that one-pound mark in a significant way. Meanwhile, the 11-inch iPad Air sits at 1.02 pounds (462 grams).
Why the Mini is still the king of couch-scrolling
Then there’s the iPad mini (A17 Pro/7th Gen). This thing is the ultimate "one-handed" device. It weighs about 0.65 pounds (293 grams).
To put that in perspective:
- An iPhone 15 Pro Max is about 221 grams.
- A standard can of soda is about 390 grams.
- The iPad mini is right in the middle.
You can literally shove it in a jacket pocket. I've seen people do it. It’s the only iPad that doesn’t feel like a "commitment" to carry around.
How much does the iPad weigh when you add accessories?
This is where the marketing gets sneaky. Apple gives you the weight of the slab. Just the aluminum and glass. But nobody uses an iPad "naked," especially not the Pro models.
If you snap on a Magic Keyboard, you are essentially doubling the weight.
For the 13-inch Pro, the Magic Keyboard adds roughly 1.5 pounds. Suddenly, your "lightweight" tablet is a 2.8-pound laptop replacement. That is heavier than a MacBook Air.
I’ve talked to plenty of students who bought the big iPad thinking it would be lighter for trekking across campus, only to realize that once the case and the Apple Pencil Pro are attached, they aren't saving any weight at all. The Pencil itself is negligible—only about 19 grams—but the cases are the silent killers of portability.
The Standard iPad: The "Everyman" Weight
We can't forget the base model. The 10.9-inch iPad (10th Generation) and its successors usually hover around 1.05 pounds (477 grams).
It’s the baseline. It’s the weight we’ve all grown used to over the last decade. It’s solid. It feels durable. It doesn't have the "holy crap, I might snap this" thinness of the M4 Pro, but it also doesn't feel like a brick.
If you’re coming from an older 9th Gen iPad (the one with the Home button), you’re actually losing a tiny bit of weight. That old model was about 487 grams. It’s a small win, but hey, we take those.
Does the Cellular model add weight?
Technically, yes.
Usually, the Wi-Fi + Cellular models add about 2 to 5 grams.
- 13-inch Pro Wi-Fi: 579g
- 13-inch Pro Cellular: 582g
Is that a big deal? No. You could probably find 3 grams of dust and thumbprints on your screen by the end of the day. Unless you are a literal human scale, you won't notice the difference between a Wi-Fi and a Cellular model just by holding them.
Real-world impact: What should you buy?
If you are a traveler, go for the 11-inch Pro or the Mini. That sub-one-pound weight is a dream for airplane trays.
If you are a student, be careful with the 13-inch Air. It’s a great value, but it’s the heaviest slab in the lineup. If you’re adding a keyboard, your bag is going to feel it.
If you just want to read comics or news in bed, the Mini is the only logical choice. Anything over a pound starts to feel heavy after twenty minutes of holding it above your face.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check your current device: If you have an old iPad, weigh it on a kitchen scale. If it's over 500 grams, almost anything in the new Pro or Air lineup will feel like an upgrade.
- Consider the "Total Carry Weight": Before buying a 13-inch model, factor in the 600+ grams for a keyboard case.
- Test the "One-Hand" Grip: Go to a store and try to hold the 11-inch Pro and the 11-inch Air with just your thumb and forefinger. You'll notice the Pro's weight distribution feels more balanced despite being thinner.