Accurately convert volume to weight for shipping, construction, and logistics.
Instantly calculate kilograms, tons, and pounds based on material density.
Conversion Tool
Enter the total volume in cubic meters.
Please enter a positive number.
Water (Pure) – 1000 kg/m³
Seawater – 1025 kg/m³
Concrete – 2400 kg/m³
Sand (Dry) – 1600 kg/m³
Sand (Wet) – 1920 kg/m³
Steel – 7850 kg/m³
Wood (Pine) – 700 kg/m³
Aluminum – 2700 kg/m³
Diesel Fuel – 800 kg/m³
Custom Density…
Select a standard material or choose "Custom".
Mass per unit volume (Kilograms per Cubic Meter).
Density must be greater than zero.
Total Weight (Metric Tons)
2.40 t
Kilograms (kg)
2,400 kg
Pounds (lbs)
5,291 lbs
US Short Tons
2.65 tons
Formula: 1 m³ × 2400 kg/m³ = 2400 kg
Figure 1: Comparison of calculated weight vs. other common materials for the same volume.
What is a Cubic Meter to Weight Calculator?
A cubic meter to weight calculator is an essential logistics and engineering tool designed to convert volumetric measurements (Cubic Meters or CBM) into mass or weight (Kilograms, Tons, or Pounds). Unlike simple unit converters, this calculation requires a crucial variable: density.
This tool is primarily used by shipping coordinators, construction estimators, and warehouse managers who need to determine the shipping weight of cargo or the load-bearing requirements for construction materials. For example, a shipping container filled with 10 cubic meters of feathers will weigh significantly less than one filled with 10 cubic meters of steel, despite occupying the exact same volume.
A common misconception is that "cubic meter" converts directly to "kilogram" at a 1:1 ratio. This is only true for pure water at 4°C. For all other substances, the specific density of the material must be applied to obtain an accurate cubic meter to weight calculator result.
Cubic Meter to Weight Calculator Formula
The mathematical relationship between volume and weight is defined by the physical property of density. To calculate weight from cubic meters, you must multiply the volume by the material's density.
Weight (kg) = Volume (m³) × Density (kg/m³)
Once the weight is found in kilograms, it can be converted to other units:
Metric Tons: Weight (kg) / 1000
Pounds (lbs): Weight (kg) × 2.20462
US Short Tons: Weight (lbs) / 2000
Variable
Meaning
Standard Unit
Typical Range
Volume (V)
Total space occupied
Cubic Meters (m³)
0.1 – 10,000+
Density (ρ)
Mass per unit of volume
kg/m³
1 – 20,000+
Mass (m)
Resulting weight
Kilograms (kg)
Variable
Table 1: Key variables used in the volume to weight calculation equation.
Practical Examples (Real-World Use Cases)
Example 1: Shipping Concrete
A construction manager needs to transport a foundation slab. The slab measures 5 cubic meters in volume. The material is standard reinforced concrete.
Input Volume: 5 m³
Material Density: 2400 kg/m³ (Standard Concrete)
Calculation: 5 × 2400 = 12,000 kg
Financial Interpretation: The truck must be rated to carry at least 12 metric tons. If the freight rate is $50 per ton, the transport cost is $600.
Example 2: Exporting Dry Sand
A landscape supplier is exporting dry sand. They have a container capacity of 20 cubic meters.
Input Volume: 20 m³
Material Density: 1600 kg/m³ (Dry Sand)
Calculation: 20 × 1600 = 32,000 kg
Result: 32 Metric Tons.
Decision: A standard 20ft container has a max payload of roughly 28 tons. 32 tons exceeds this limit. The supplier must reduce the volume loaded to avoid fines or safety hazards.
How to Use This Cubic Meter to Weight Calculator
Enter Volume: Input the total volume in cubic meters. If you only have dimensions (length, width, height), multiply them first (L × W × H in meters) to get m³.
Select Material: Choose your material from the dropdown list. This will automatically fill in the average density.
Adjust Density (Optional): If you have a specific density value from a safety data sheet (SDS) or lab report, select "Custom" and enter the exact kg/m³ value.
Review Results: The tool instantly calculates the weight in Metric Tons, Kilograms, Pounds, and US Tons.
Analyze the Chart: Use the chart to compare your load against other standard materials to gauge relative heaviness.
Copy Data: Use the "Copy Results" button to paste the data into your invoices, bills of lading, or inventory spreadsheets.
Key Factors That Affect Cubic Meter to Weight Results
When using a cubic meter to weight calculator, several external factors can influence the final weight accuracy.
1. Moisture Content
Materials like sand, soil, and wood are highly porous. Wet sand can weigh 20-30% more than dry sand (e.g., 1600 kg/m³ vs 1920 kg/m³). Logistics planners must account for weather conditions during storage.
2. Compaction (Packing Factor)
Loose soil fills more space than compacted soil. Excavated earth swells (fluffs), while vibrated concrete settles. This density variance impacts the "Stowage Factor" in shipping.
3. Temperature
While solids are less affected, liquids expand and contract with temperature. Petroleum products, for instance, are sold by volume corrected to a standard temperature (usually 15°C) to account for density changes.
4. Material Purity (Alloys)
"Steel" is not a single density. Stainless steel (7480-8000 kg/m³) differs from mild steel (7850 kg/m³). Using a generic value in the cubic meter to weight calculator provides an estimate, not a precision measurement.
5. Granularity (Particle Size)
Gravel with large stones has more air gaps than fine gravel. More air gaps mean lower bulk density. This is critical for calculating aggregate shipments.
6. Transport Fees & Taxes
Financially, weight is often the billable unit. If a material absorbs moisture (increasing weight) during transit, the recipient might pay more for "water weight" unless the contract specifies "dry weight" measurements.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How do I convert CBM to kg without a calculator?
Multiply the CBM (Cubic Meters) by the density of the object. For example, if you have 2 CBM of water (density 1000), the weight is 2000 kg.
2. What is the standard density for air freight calculations?
Air freight uses a "dimensional weight" formula. The standard conversion factor is often 167 kg per 1 cubic meter (1:6 ratio). This calculator determines actual gross weight, which is compared against volumetric weight for billing.
3. Can I use this for liquid conversion?
Yes. Simply select the liquid (e.g., Water, Diesel) or enter its specific gravity multiplied by 1000. For example, oil with a specific gravity of 0.85 has a density of 850 kg/m³.
4. Why is the density of wood so variable?
Wood density varies by species (Oak vs. Pine) and moisture content (Green vs. Kiln-dried). Always check if your lumber is hardwood or softwood for better accuracy in the cubic meter to weight calculator.
5. Is 1 cubic meter always 1000 kg?
No. That is only true for pure water. 1 cubic meter of Styrofoam weighs about 20 kg, while 1 cubic meter of Gold weighs 19,300 kg.
6. How do I calculate volume if I only have inches?
Convert inches to meters first (Inches / 39.37 = Meters). Then multiply Length × Width × Height to get Cubic Meters.
7. What is the difference between specific gravity and density?
Specific gravity is a ratio relative to water (no units). Density is the actual mass per volume (has units like kg/m³). If specific gravity is 2.5, density is 2500 kg/m³.
8. How accurate is this calculator for trade?
This tool provides estimates based on average material densities. For commercial trade or "Legal for Trade" transactions, use certified scales (weighbridges) rather than theoretical volume calculations.