Construction Calculator - Framing and Woodwork

Log Weight Calculator

Estimate log weight from diameter, length, and wood density.

Reviewed: August 26, 2026

Calculate Log Weight

For the Log Weight Calculator, enter diameter, length, and material density. It treats the log as a solid cylinder and multiplies its volume by the entered density; taper, bark, moisture, and defects are not modeled.

Construction measuring tools arranged beside a residential building project

Formula used

Cylindrical weight = π × radius² × length × entered density

Log Weight Calculator measurement plan showing Diameter inches, Length feet, Material density lb / cubic foot

Worked log weight example

Log Weight Calculator example: π × (21.5 in ÷ 12 ÷ 2)² × 14.3 ft = 36.05 ft³. Multiplying by 45 lb/ft³ gives approximately 1,622 lb.

Use the weight for planning

Use the estimate only for rough comparison; forestry scaling, measured end diameters, or an actual scale is better for sale, hauling, and lifting.

Why scale or supplier weight may differ

Taper, bark, butt swell, sweep, hollows, species, and moisture content often dominate the difference between calculated and scale weight.

Questions specific to this calculation

How do taper and moisture affect a log-weight estimate?

Enter an average solid diameter and log length plus wood density. The result treats the log as a perfect full cylinder.