Cubic Feet to Pounds Calculator
Calculate the weight of any material given its volume in cubic feet. Includes 18+ pre-loaded material densities for water, concrete, soil, sand, gravel, metals, and wood.
Only needed when "Custom Density" is selected above
How do I convert cubic feet to pounds?
To convert cubic feet to pounds, multiply the volume (in ft³) by the density of the material (in lb/ft³). Formula: Pounds = ft³ × Density (lb/ft³). Examples: 10 ft³ of water (62.43 lb/ft³) = 624.3 lbs. 5 ft³ of concrete (150 lb/ft³) = 750 lbs. The density varies significantly by material: lightweight materials like pine wood (30 lb/ft³) are much lighter than steel (490 lb/ft³). Always use the correct density for accurate weight calculations.
What is the density of common construction materials?
Construction material densities (lb/ft³): Water = 62.43, Concrete = 150 (standard), Lightweight concrete = 90-115, Brick = 120, Dry sand = 100, Wet sand = 130, Gravel = 105, Limestone = 165, Granite = 175, Marble = 170, Steel = 490, Aluminum = 168, Oak = 47, Pine = 30, Plywood = 34, Asphalt = 145, Soil (dry) = 75, Soil (wet) = 110. These densities are at standard moisture content. Actual density varies slightly by specific composition and moisture level.
How much does 1 cubic foot of water weigh?
1 cubic foot of pure water weighs approximately 62.43 pounds (28.32 kg) at 39.2°F (4°C), which is water's maximum density. At room temperature (68°F/20°C), water density is about 62.3 lb/ft³. Saltwater is denser at about 64.1 lb/ft³. This weight is why water is heavy: a 5-gallon bucket (0.668 ft³) of water weighs about 41.7 lbs. A full bathtub (12 ft³) contains about 749 lbs of water. An aquarium measuring 4ft×2ft×2ft (16 ft³) with water weighs nearly 1,000 lbs.
How do I calculate the weight of soil or gravel for landscaping?
To estimate landscaping material weight: 1. Measure the area in ft³ (Length ft × Width ft × Depth ft). 2. Multiply by the material's density. For dry topsoil (~75 lb/ft³), a 50 ft³ bed weighs about 3,750 lbs (1.9 tons). For gravel (~105 lb/ft³), 100 ft³ weighs 10,500 lbs (5.25 tons). For wet soil (~110 lb/ft³), same volume weighs about 5,500 lbs (2.75 tons). Always account for moisture content—wet materials can be 30-50% heavier than dry. This calculator helps estimate delivery weights and vehicle load limits.