- A new application converts Apple’s trackpad into a weighing scale
- The results with the trackweight application are surprisingly precise
- However, there are certainly limitations here, including the need to maintain a fingertips in the trackpad while weighing an object
If you ever need a set of weighing scales in a hurry, it is possible to use your macbook, create it or not.
Tom’s hardware noticed a new macOS application that converts the humble MacBook Trackpad into a compact weighing scale, one that is surprisingly precisely precise, as illustrated in a demonstration video published in X (see below).
You can turn your Mac Trackpad into a pic.twitter.com/kxbhrvfag3 weighing scaleJuly 21, 2025
Krish Shah developed the application called Trackweight, which uses Apple’s touch sensors to give an approximate weight for any object placed in the trackpad.
Now, there is a warning in the sense that, as you can see in the video, it is necessary to rest your finger on the trackpad while weighing, because as Shah explains, trackpad pressure recordings are only generated when MacBook detects the capacity (that is, its finger or any other conductive object).
The obvious inconvenience here is that the weight of your finger will also be recorded in the reading provided, so rest in the trackpad as slightly as possible. According to all accounts, the given weight is still quite precise, although I would not recommend taking it as an exact reading, given the previous capture.
The application uses the multi -touch support library open to take advantage of trackpad events in Macos, which includes crucial pressure readings of the pad. Interestingly, Shah explains (in Github) that “the data we obtain from the multitactile support are already in grams”, which is useful.
ANALYSIS: OTHER WARNINGS AND COMPATIBILITY
This is a small trick for MacBooks, but there are some limitations, including, as observed, precision, which will not be successful, but seems close enough to be a good estimate.
In addition, weighing metal objects is problematic (due to their conductivity, they will probably be detected as a fingertips), so they will require a small piece of fabric (or paper) to break contact with trackpad (again, potentially interfering with reading slightly).
Clearly, it can not weigh large elements in a trackpad, although the application developer claims to have successfully weighed an object of 3.5 kg without damaging the MacBook. Which is good: I would not try myself, the mind or, in fact, weighing the luggage while the DEV warns us in the form of language and cheek.
If you ask about compatibility, you will need a Padingpad from Force Touch on its Apple laptop, which means a 2016 or newer macbook (or a 2015 Macbook Pro). You must also execute at least Macos 13 (to have the necessary multiple support library) and have the Sandbox application disabled (to grant low level access to trackpad data). As always, install any third -party software at your own risk, if you consider this project as more than a curiosity.
Interestingly, old iPhones with 3D touch could also be used to weigh objects (capacitive), and apparently with great precision in that case.
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