What is the maximum weight rating commonly cited for carabiners?

• A. 11.1 KN or 2500 lbs
• B. 22.2 KN or 5000 lbs
• C. 33.3 KN or 7500 lbs
• D. 9.8 KN or 2000 lbs

Answer: (B)

Carabiners are rated by their strength on the major axis (gate closed), and a widely used, easily recalled figure is about 22.2 kN, which is roughly 5,000 pounds of force. This sits within the common major-axis rating range manufacturers publish (around 20–25 kN), making 22.2 kN (5000 lbs) the standard reference you’ll see in training and product specs.

The other numbers are simply outside that familiar benchmark: they’re either lower or higher than the typical widely cited major-axis rating, so they don’t reflect the common reference used in most practice questions and real-world expectations.