Estimate hay bale weight, volume, and tonnage for rectangular or round bales using size, density, weight, and bale count with units.

Hay Bale Weight Calculator

Rectangular (Original)
Round Bale
Bale Count & Tonnage

Enter any 3 values to estimate the missing variable (assumes 10.5 lb/ft³ density).

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.

  1. First, determine the bale length (ft).
  2. Next, determine the bale width (ft). 
  3. Next, determine the bale height (ft). 
  4. Next, gather the formula from above = BALEW = BL * BW * BH * ρ.
  5. Finally, calculate the Bale Weight.
  6. 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.