How do I convert cubic feet to pounds?

Multiply the volume in cubic feet by the material density in pounds per cubic foot (lb/ft³). For example, water is ~62.43 lb/ft³ and gravel is ~105 lb/ft³.

How much does 1 cubic foot of water weigh?

1 ft³ of fresh water weighs about 62.43 lbs at 4 °C (the temperature of maximum density). At room temperature it is closer to 62.3 lbs.

How much does 1 cubic foot of concrete weigh?

Cured normal-weight concrete weighs approximately 150 lbs per cubic foot. Lightweight concrete can be as low as 90–115 lb/ft³.

How much does 1 cubic foot of soil weigh?

Loose topsoil weighs about 75 lb/ft³; compacted soil weighs about 100 lb/ft³. Wet soil is heavier (up to 130 lb/ft³).

How much does 1 cubic foot of gravel weigh?

Standard gravel weighs about 105 lb/ft³, or roughly 2,835 lbs per cubic yard.

Cubic Feet to Pounds Calculator — Weight by Material (Soil, Concrete, Sand)

How to convert cubic feet to pounds

Cubic feet measures volume — pounds measures weight. To convert between them you need the density of the specific material in pounds per cubic foot (lb/ft³). Different materials weigh different amounts per unit volume, so density is essential.

lbs = ft³ × density (lb/ft³)

Worked examples

Example 1: 50 ft³ of dry topsoil

50 × 75 = 3,750 lbs, or about 1.88 tons.

Example 2: 27 ft³ (1 yd³) of concrete

27 × 150 = 4,050 lbs, or about 2.03 tons.

Example 3: 100 ft³ of water

100 × 62.43 = 6,243 lbs (≈ 748 US gallons).

Material density reference	Conversion factor	Worked example
Water (fresh)	62.43 lb/ft³	1 ft³ = 62.4 lbs
Topsoil (loose)	~75 lb/ft³	1 ft³ ≈ 75 lbs
Topsoil (compacted)	~100 lb/ft³	1 ft³ ≈ 100 lbs
Sand (dry)	~100 lb/ft³	1 ft³ ≈ 100 lbs
Sand (wet)	~130 lb/ft³	1 ft³ ≈ 130 lbs
Gravel	~105 lb/ft³	1 ft³ ≈ 105 lbs
Concrete (cured)	~150 lb/ft³	1 ft³ ≈ 150 lbs
Mulch (bark)	~18 lb/ft³	1 ft³ ≈ 18 lbs
Pine wood	~30 lb/ft³	1 ft³ ≈ 30 lbs
Oak wood	~47 lb/ft³	1 ft³ ≈ 47 lbs

Common uses

Calculating delivery weight for soil, gravel, and aggregate orders
Estimating dumpster fill weight
Sizing axle limits and trailer capacity
Pricing scrap, fill, and recycling by weight
Engineering load calculations

Where this conversion comes up

Volume is what you measure; weight is what you pay to ship or what your floor has to support. Density bridges the two — multiply cubic feet by the density of your specific material.

Concrete loads — 150 lb per cubic foot. A 4-inch slab can weigh thousands of pounds.
Water and pools — 62.43 lb per cubic foot. Critical for floor-load and roof-load checks.
Sand, gravel, and dirt — needed for truck-bed and trailer load limits.
Firewood and lumber — varies by species.
See density factors for common materials.

Common mistakes to avoid

Forgetting to specify density. Cubic feet to pounds depends entirely on what is in the cubic feet. Water is 62.43 lb/ft³; cured concrete is 150 lb/ft³; bark mulch is 18 lb/ft³.
Using wet versus dry density. Wet sand is 130 lb/ft³; dry sand is 100 lb/ft³. Confirm which one your supplier means.
Confusing pounds (mass) with pounds-force (weight). For most everyday purposes they are interchangeable, but for engineering work the distinction matters.

Expert tips

Multiply cubic feet by the material's density (lb/ft³).Water: 62.43. Topsoil (loose): 75. Topsoil (compacted): 100. Cured concrete: 150. Pine: 30. Oak: 47. See the full table on the unit conversion chart.
For trailer load limits, weight matters more than volume. A standard tandem-axle trailer hauls about 14,000 lb. Divide by your material's density to find max cubic feet per load.
For floor loads, water and concrete are the heavy hitters. A fish tank or concrete planter on a residential floor is a real engineering concern — check load ratings before placing.
For shipping, dimensional weight may exceed actual weight.Carriers charge whichever is greater. Light items in big boxes pay for the volume, not the weight. See the shipping calculator.
Round up for ordering. If your calculation says 2,400 lb, order 2,500 — small overage is much cheaper than an underweight delivery.