<p>Approaches to obtain indirect mass estimates of chironomid larvae published to the date are reviewed, arranged, rated and evaluated using our own data. Sufficient source data for such estimations available in the literature and in our own are provided. The methods described in this work allow researchers to estimate the raw mass of chironomid larvae in cases of limited knowledge. Such estimates could be made based on (in order of decreasing precision): a) identification of species (or genera in some taxa) and total length (83–98%); b) total length for larvae from the studied region (91%); c) total length for other larvae (83%); d) identification of species and head capsule width (44–88%); e) identification of species and larval instars (precision unmeasurable); f) head capsule width for larvae from the studied region (76%); or g) head capsule width for other larvae (60%).</p>