Unit Weights of Common Construction Materials
Unit weight (density) is what turns a volume into a load or a truck count. These are the design densities engineers use for dead loads, from the material density table in the ASCE 7 commentary. Actual weights vary with moisture, aggregate and compaction, so treat them as design values, not scale tickets.
| Material | Unit weightlb/ft3 | Unit weightkN/m3 | Weight per cubic yardlb/yd3 | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete, plain, stone aggregate (normal weight) | 144 | 22.6 | 3888 | ASCE 7 |
| Concrete, reinforced, stone aggregate | 150 | 23.6 | 4050 | ASCE 7 |
| Steel, cold-drawn | 492 | 77.3 | 13284 | ASCE 7 |
| Aluminum | 170 | 26.7 | 4590 | ASCE 7 |
| Wood, Douglas fir (seasoned) | 34 | 5.3 | 918 | ASCE 7 |
| Wood, Southern pine (seasoned) | 37 | 5.8 | 999 | ASCE 7 |
| Earth, clay, dry (not submerged) | 63 | 9.9 | 1701 | ASCE 7 |
| Earth, sand and gravel, dry, loose | 100 | 15.7 | 2700 | ASCE 7 |
| Earth, sand and gravel, wet | 120 | 18.9 | 3240 | ASCE 7 |
| Water, fresh | 62.4 | 9.8 | 1685 | USGS |
Notes
- Values marked ASCE 7 are minimum design densities from the ASCE 7 commentary (Table C3.1-2 in ASCE 7-16 and 7-22).
- Normal-weight reinforced concrete is commonly taken as 150 lb/ft3, which is about 4,050 lb (just over 2 tons) per cubic yard.
- Soil weight depends strongly on moisture and compaction; a geotechnical report gives the site-specific value.
- kN/m3 and per-cubic-yard columns are converted from lb/ft3 (1 lb/ft3 = 0.157087 kN/m3; 1 yd3 = 27 ft3).
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cubic yard of concrete weigh?
Using the ASCE 7 value of 150 lb/ft3 for reinforced normal-weight concrete, one cubic yard weighs about 4,050 pounds. Plain concrete at 144 lb/ft3 is about 3,890 pounds.
What unit weight do engineers use for steel?
ASCE 7 lists cold-drawn steel at 492 lb/ft3. Many structural calculations round to 490 lb/ft3.
Can I use these numbers to order fill?
Use them for rough planning only. Fill is bought by loose or compacted volume or by the ton, and the conversion depends on the specific material and moisture.
Sources
- ASCE/SEI 7-22, Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures, Commentary Chapter C3, Minimum Densities for Design Loads from Materials
- USGS Water Science School, Water Density, https://www.usgs.gov/special-topics/water-science-school/science/water-density
More reference tables
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