How far an equitable capital-ship treaty might expand

Treaty generosity depends on whether negotiators raise total fleet allowance, individual ship size, or both, with twenty capital ships forming a plausible outer framework for Britain and the United States.

Question

How much could a more equitable naval treaty raise capital-ship tonnage while remaining acceptable to the major powers?

Short answer

A plausible ceiling was about twenty ships each for Britain and the United States: 700,000 tons at 35,000 tons per ship, or potentially 900,000 tons at 45,000 tons.

Notes

A total fleet allowance and an individual ship's displacement limit are separate parts of a naval treaty. Twenty 35,000-ton capital ships would give Britain and the United States 700,000 tons each. A possible alternative raises the individual allowance to 45,000 tons while retaining twenty ships, producing 900,000 tons. These are proposed treaty scenarios rather than historical agreed limits.