Estimate hay bale weight, volume, and tonnage for rectangular or round bales using size, density, weight, and bale count with units.
Bale Weight Formula (Volume × Density)
The following formula is used to calculate the bale weight from bale volume and an assumed (or known) hay density.
BALEW = BL * BW * BH * ρ
Variables:
- BALEW is the bale weight (lb), when using feet and lb/ft³
- BL is the bale length (ft)
- BW is the bale width (ft)
- BH is the bale height (ft)
- ρ is the hay/bale density (lb/ft³)
To estimate hay bale weight, multiply the length, width, and height of the bale together to get volume, then multiply by the density (ρ). In the rectangular-bale tab of the calculator above, ρ is assumed to be 10.5 lb/ft³, which is a rough average and may not match all bale types, crops, moisture levels, or compaction settings.
How to Calculate Bale Weight?
The following steps outline how to calculate the Bale Weight.
- First, determine the bale length (ft).
- Next, determine the bale width (ft).
- Next, determine the bale height (ft).
- Next, gather the formula from above = BALEW = BL * BW * BH * ρ.
- Finally, calculate the Bale Weight.
- After inserting the variables and calculating the result, check your answer with the calculator above.
Example Problem:
Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.
bale length (ft) = 3
bale width (ft) = 4
bale height (ft) = 5
BALEW = BL * BW * BH * 10.5 = ?
Solution (using ρ = 10.5 lb/ft³): BALEW = 3 × 4 × 5 × 10.5 = 630 lb.
