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Chain Slings Load Chart

Here is a clear, easy‑to‑use chain sling load safety chart to help you select the correct chain sling working load limit (WLL) for your lifting operations. This chart supports safe planning and use of lifting equipment, showing how safe working load changes with chain grade, leg configuration and sling angle.

Use our chain sling load safety chart to:

Check safe working loads for single, 2‑leg, 3‑leg and 4‑leg chain slings
Compare Grade 8 and Grade 10 chain sling capacities
Understand how sling angles affect working load limits
Confirm the correct WLL for basket and choke hitches
Support LOLER compliance and safe lifting best practice

All information in the chart is based on recognised industry standards and typical chain sling ratings. It is designed as a practical reference for supervisors, appointed persons, slinger/signallers and anyone responsible for specifying or using lifting chains and chain slings to identify safe lifting sling capacities.

As a leading lifting equipment supplier, Certex UK also offers certified chain slings, components and custom‑made assemblies, together with inspection, testing and thorough examination services. If you need help interpreting the chain sling load safety chart or choosing the right configuration and capacity for your lift, our technical team can provide guidance and quotations for suitable equipment.

Please only use this information for reference.

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Chain Slings
Grade 8 working load limits are in accordance with BS EN 818-4:1996+A1:2008 Working Load Limit Tonnes
Chain Diameter		Single leg	Two Leg		Three and Four leg		Endless	Chain Diameter

			0° < ß ≤ 45°	45° < ß ≤ 60°	0° < ß ≤ 45°	45° < ß ≤ 60°
mm	Grade	Factor 1	Factor 1.4	Factor 1	Factor 2.1	Factor 1.5	Factor 1.6	mm
7	8	1.5	2.21	1.5	3.15	2.24	2.5	7
7	10	2	2.8	2	4.2	3	3.2	7
8	8	2	2.8	2	4.2	3	3.2	7
10	8	3.15	4.25	3.15	6.7	4.75	5	10
10	10	4	5.6	4	8.4	6	6.4	10
13	8	5.3	7.5	5.3	11.2	8	8.5	13
13	10	6.7	9.5	6.7	14	10	10.7	13
16	8	8	11.2	8	17	11.8	12.5	16
16	10	10	14	10	21.2	15	16	16
19	8	11.2	16	11.2	23.6	17	18	19
19	10	14	20	14	30	21	22.4	19
22	8	15	21.2	15	31.5	22.4	22.4	22
23	8	16	23.6	16	35.5	25	26.5	23
23	10	21	29.5	21	44	31.5	33.5	23
26	8	21.2	30	21.2	45	31.5	33.5	26
26	10	27	38	27	57	40	43	26
32	8	31.5	45	31.5	67	47.5	50	32
32	10	40	56	40	85	60	65	32
NEVER EXCEED THE WORKING LOAD LIMIT (WLL) MARKED ON THE SLING When slings are used in a choke hitch, reduce the WLL by 20%

Chain Slings restrictions on the angle of use - Variation of chain sling leg loading with leg angle for a load of 10t.

Chain Sling Load Diagram - Angels from the Beta

All multi-leg chain slings exert a horizontal component of force, which increases as the angle from the vertical becomes greater. No chain sling should be used if the angle from the vertical exceeds 60˚, as beyond this point the forces in the legs drastically increase.

DO NOT USE MULTI-LEG CHAIN SLINGS AT ANGLES WITHIN THE SHADED AREA (as seen in the diagram above).

Angles of less than 15˚ should also be avoided as these can lead to the load becoming unstable.

If the sling angles are on or inside the guidelines the sling is within the angle range

Limitations on use

Due to risk of embrittlement, KUPLEX slings should not be used in acid or caustic solutions nor in heavily acidic or caustic laden atmospheres. In uncertain conditions consult Certex.

KUPLEX slings must not be heat treated, galvanised, plated, coated or subject to any process involving heating or pickling. Each of these processes can have dangerous effects and will invalidate the manufacturers certificate.

Chain Sling Lifting Master Link Angles Diagram

KUPLEX slings may be used in temperatures down to -40°C with no reduction in the working load limit. The use of KUPLEX chain slings within the permissible temperature range in the table shown does not require any permanent reduction in working load limit when the chain sling is returned to normal temperatures. A sling accidentally exposed to temperatures in excess of the maximum permissible should be withdrawn from service immediately and returned to Certex for thorough examination.

When using Kuplex slings in exceptional hazardous conditions, the degree of hazard should be assessed by a competent person and the working load limit adjusted accordingly. Examples include the lifting of persons and lifting of potentially dangerous loads such as molten metals, corrosive materials or fissile material and certain offshore activities.

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