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Log weight calculator

Estimate the mass of tapered logs or rectangular boards. Use a density appropriate to the species and current moisture content.

Calculator

Volume per piece
0.099
Mass per piece
39.794
Total solid wood volume
0.099
Total mass
39.794
Estimated whole pieces
1
Wood density
400

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How this calculator works

Newton volume weights the mid-length cross-section four times as heavily as either end, improving on a simple cylinder for tapered logs. Diameter measurements should use one consistent bark convention. The cited World Bank table gives indicative white-pine and teak densities; these are not green-log moisture tables. Enter measured density for the actual wood condition. Board stacks are counted as complete rows; log stacks use an explicitly entered solid-volume fraction.

Formula

Log V = L x (Asmall + 4Amiddle + Alarge) / 6 = pi x L x (dsmall^2 + 4dmiddle^2 + dlarge^2) / 24; board V = L x W x T; mass = V x density x quantity.

Worked example

A cylindrical log 0.2 m in diameter and 2 m long has 0.0628319 m3 volume. At 500 kg/m3 it weighs 31.416 kg. One hundred 2 m by 100 mm by 20 mm boards at that density weigh 200 kg.

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Frequently asked questions

Does species alone determine density?

No. Moisture, growth conditions and defects matter. Use a measured or published density at the actual moisture content, especially for freshly cut logs.

How are logs counted in a stack?

The estimate divides solid wood volume in the stack by average piece volume and rounds down. The default packing fraction is only a user-adjustable planning assumption.

Can this certify a truck payload?

No. Bark, water, voids and individual log variation can be substantial. Weigh a load when a mass limit matters.

Sources

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