Size to Weight Calculator
Convert dimensions to weight for various materials.
The Size to Weight Calculator uses three main steps to determine an object's weight:
- Calculate the volume in cubic feet:Volume (cu ft) = (Length × Width × Height) ÷ 1,728
(1,728 comes from converting cubic inches to cubic feet: 12³)
- Multiply by material density:Weight (lbs) = Volume × Material Density (lbs/cu ft)
- Convert to kilograms (optional):Weight (kg) = Weight (lbs) × 0.45359237
Common material densities used in construction:
Metals
- Aluminum: 168.48 lbs/ft³
- Steel: 490.00 lbs/ft³
- Copper: 559.00 lbs/ft³
- Iron (Cast): 450.00 lbs/ft³
Building Materials
- Concrete: 150.00 lbs/ft³
- Glass: 158.00 lbs/ft³
- Granite: 170.00 lbs/ft³
- Marble: 169.00 lbs/ft³
Woods
- Pine Wood: 34.00 lbs/ft³
- Oak Wood: 47.00 lbs/ft³
Other Materials
- Plastic (HDPE): 59.00 lbs/ft³
- Lead: 708.00 lbs/ft³
Construction
- Material ordering and estimation
- Structural load calculations
- Equipment capacity planning
- Transportation requirements
Manufacturing
- Product weight estimation
- Material cost calculation
- Shipping weight determination
- Inventory management
Logistics
- Shipping cost estimation
- Load planning
- Storage space optimization
- Weight distribution analysis
- Measure dimensions carefully to the nearest 1/8 inch
- Consider material variations and imperfections
- Account for any hollow spaces or voids
- Use the most specific material density available
- Add a safety factor for critical applications
Important Note:
For structural or safety-critical applications, always consult with a qualified engineer to verify calculations and ensure proper safety margins.
Why do material weights vary from the calculation?
Material densities can vary due to manufacturing processes, composition differences, and environmental conditions. The calculator uses average densities for general estimation.
How do I handle irregular shapes?
For irregular shapes, break them down into multiple rectangular sections, calculate each separately, and sum the results. This provides a reasonable approximation for most purposes.
Should I add a safety margin?
For critical applications, add a 10-15% safety margin to account for material variations, measurement uncertainties, and other factors that might affect the final weight.