HANDY FORMULAS
FOR WEIGHTS OF COMMONLY LIFTED ITEMS

CAUTIONARY NOTE: The following formulas should be considered "rule of thumb" approximations as conditions can vary greatly due to unknowns.

Wood Beams...Height (inches) X Width ( inches) X Length ( feet) X .25 = weight in pounds

(The factor of .25 is average and varies from about .20 to .35 according to the type of beam and its condition)

Example: 6" X 12" X 16' beam = 288 pounds

Plywood...100 pounds (per inch of 4' X 8' stack)

Example: Stack of 4 X 8 plywood measuring 15 inches = 1500 pounds

Compressed particle board...120 pounds (per inch of 4' X 8' stack)

Example: Stack of 4 X 8 board measuring 20 inches = 2400 pounds

Air Conditioners...120 pounds (per ton of air conditioning in heating/cooling package)

(Commonly varies from 100 to 140 pounds depending on manufacturer and age of unit)

Example: 4-ton heating and cooling package = 480 pounds

Spas...100 pounds (per foot of one side of square self-contained unit)

Example: Redwood paneled 7 feet X 7 feet X 30" deep spa = 700 pounds

Electric Signs...8 pounds (per square foot of plex on single-face sign)

Example: Face measures 4 feet X 10 feet = 40 sq. ft. X 8 = 320 lbs.

10 pounds (per square foot of plex on one face of double-face sign)

Example: One face measures 4 feet X 10 feet = 40 sq. ft. X 10 = 400 lbs.

Boxed trees...                     

See also:

WEIGHTS OF COMMON MATERIALS