Cubic Feet to Weight Calculator
Convert cubic feet to pounds or kilograms by selecting a material or entering a custom density.
Density Reference
| Material | lb/ft³ | kg/m³ |
|---|---|---|
| Water | 62.4 | 1000 |
| Concrete | 150 | 2403 |
| Soil (dry) | 75 | 1201 |
| Soil (wet) | 100 | 1602 |
| Sand | 100 | 1602 |
| Gravel | 95 | 1522 |
| Mulch | 15 | 240 |
| Wood chips | 12 | 192 |
| Topsoil | 70 | 1121 |
Why Density Matters
Volume alone doesn't tell you how heavy a load will be. A cubic yard of mulch (~400 lbs) is far lighter than a cubic yard of concrete (~4,050 lbs). For shipping, structural calculations, and vehicle load planning, knowing density is essential.
Wet materials weigh significantly more — wet sand or soil can be 25–40% heavier than dry.
Weight in Shipping and Structural Loads
Freight carriers bill by whichever is greater: actual weight or dimensional weight calculated from volume. Knowing a material's density lets you convert between the two before you ship — see the shipping volume calculator for the full dimensional-weight formula. For construction, weight matters just as much as volume: a truck rated for 3,000 lbs can carry 20 cubic feet of concrete (150 lb/ft³) but 100 cubic feet of mulch (15 lb/ft³) before hitting its payload limit. Always check both the cubic footage and the weight limit of your vehicle or trailer before loading material calculated with the concrete or gravel calculators.
Frequently Asked Questions
How heavy is a cubic foot of water?
62.4 pounds (28.3 kg) at 4°C.
How heavy is a cubic foot of concrete?
About 150 pounds (68 kg).
What is density?
Mass per unit volume — for solids and liquids, commonly expressed as lb/ft³ or kg/m³.
How do I convert lb/ft³ to kg/m³?
Multiply lb/ft³ by 16.018. Water: 62.4 × 16.018 = 1,000 kg/m³.
How heavy is a cubic foot of topsoil?
About 70–80 lbs dry, 90–100 lbs wet.
How heavy is a cubic yard of dirt?
About 2,000–2,700 lbs (1–1.35 tons) depending on moisture.
Why does wet soil weigh more?
Water fills the air pockets between soil particles, adding mass without much volume change.
Does density change with temperature?
Slightly. Water expands ~4% from 4°C to 100°C. For most landscaping math, the change is negligible.