Hanging scales are often a practical way of weighing awkward or large items that are not able to be placed on a top-loading platform scale. It is, of course, necessary to have some type of overhead support structure to hold the suspended weighing scale and the item during the weighing process. Hanging scales are available either as mechanical or electronic units.

Crane scales are typically an industrial design, built for rigorous, commercial use. Their capacities range from 300kg to 250t, although off-the-shelf capacities are typically limited to a maximum of 50t.