The capacity of a standard passenger elevator varies, but generally falls between 1,000 and 6,000 pounds (about 454 - 2,722 kilograms), depending on the floor area of the elevator car. Freight elevators, of course, are designed to hold much heavier loads. A standard residential elevator, however, is generally not used for heavy loads and generally can carry up to 750 pounds (340kg).

Generally speaking, a standard elevator in a low-rise building can hold about 2,000 or 2,500 lbs (907 - 1,134 kg). The larger the building, the more capacity it the elevator will hold, however. In a mid-rise building, a standard elevator will have a capacity of about 3,000 to 4,000 lbs (1,361 - 1,814 kg); and in high-rise buildings, 4,000 lbs (1,814 kg) or more. This according to Edward A. Donoghue, managing director and secretary of National Elevator Industry Inc., a trade association representing elevator and escalator manufacturers, installers, and repairers.

Because of the dangers elevators can pose, regulatory bodies are usually set up to help ensure their safety. In the United States, floor-area based standards for elevator capacities are required by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). The ASME also stipulates the inside dimensions of an elevator car based on weight capacity and type and size of doors.

Statistically, a standard elevator is relatively safe. They are supported by steel cables. Each cable alone could support a fully loaded elevator car. The only elevator ever to fall because the cables failed happened in 1945, when the cables supporting an elevator in the Empire State Building were severed by bomber airplane.

But there can be dangers when a standard elevator is packed beyond its weight capacity. A tragic illustration of this occurred in 2006, when an Ohio State University student was killed after a dormitory elevator boarded by 24 students began to descend with the elevator doors still open. The student, who had been the last one in the elevator, was pinned between the elevator door and the lobby as he tried to exit the car.

The elevator in question was a passenger traction model. Assuming an average weight of 150 lbs (68kg) per student, the elevator may have been nearly 50 percent over its 2,500 lb (1,134 kg) capacity, causing its unexpected descent.