So, while you’re planning for your construction project material delivery, you need to know how much does a cinder block weigh, to accurately know the number of trips for delivery trucks required for your project.
You also need to know how heavy is cinder block; while you’re planning for material delivery in high-rise buildings.
A concrete block which is also known as concrete masonry unit (CMU) is useful building material and it is used in building walls and other variety of building projects.
A CMU block is made by using different by products left after burning of coal, fly ash, industrial wastage, slag cement etc.
It is now widely used in different countries for building masonry because of its large benefits such as
- Light weight
- Good strength
- Stability
- Good fire resistance
- Economical
Cinder blocks are used in frame structures for construction of partition walls. Cinder blocks are available in various sizes based on ASTM standards. Cinder blocks are identified by their width and block size is selected on the basis of thickness of wall and construction requirement. It is available in 4”, 6”, 8”, 10”, 12” width size.
Must Read: Different shapes and sizes of cinder blocks
How much does a cinder block weigh?
An average size cinder block or CMU in United States of size 8-inch by 8-inch by 16-inch weighs about 16 kilograms or 35 pounds. The weight of concrete block varies by manufacturers and the typical value is between 30 and 35 pounds or 13 to 15 kg. A light concrete weight block will be of 28 pounds or 12 kg but this is not that common.
How heavy is cinder block?
A standard cinder block that’s commonly used in construction of size 8-inches x 8-inches x 16-inches or 8 8 16 block weighs about 38 lb. or 17 kg. It is made with cast concrete of cement and aggregate containing cinders like fly ash, coal dust, bottom ash, recycled materials, or other industrial waste.
The name cinder is because of the material ash.
Also Read: Concrete Block Calculator – How many blocks you need?
Cinder block weight
So, how can you answer – how much does a cinder block weigh in pounds?
Cinder blocks are available in different sizes and shapes. They are made in hollow as well as in solid form. Similarly, some blocks are made of very light weight material, and some are made using medium or heavy weight material.
The weight of single cinder block depends upon the size, shape and type of material. The weight of cinder block is calculated by using the density formula which is
Density= mass/volume
The density of cinder block varies from 1000kg/m3 to 1500kg/m3 (0.036 lb/inch3 to 0.054lb/inch3). Cinder blocks are available in three different classes depending upon the quality and type of material. The most preferred and widely used is 1st class cinder concrete block with good quality material. The cinder blocks are available in different sizes given below in table.
The weight of different size cinder blocks can be calculated by multiplying the volume of cinder block with its density.
Mass=density × volume
According to ASTM a cinder concrete block is available in 4”,6”,8”,10”,12” . The most common concrete block size which is used for construction is 8” wide block of size 16” ×8” ×8”.
| Cinder Block Size | Nominal Dimension | Standard Dimension | Weight of cinder block |
| 4” cinder block dimension | 16” ×4” ×8” | 15 5/8” ×3 5/8” ×7 5/8 | 14-18 lbs |
| 6” cinder block dimension | 16” ×6” ×8” | 15 5/8” ×5 5/8” ×7 5/8 | 21-26 lbs |
| 8” cinder block dimension | 16” ×8” ×8” | 15 5/8” ×7 5/8” ×7 5/8 | 28-35 lbs |
| 10” cinder block dimension | 16” ×10” ×8” | 15 5/8” ×9 5/8” ×7 5/8 | 35-44 lbs |
| 12” cinder block dimension | 16” ×12” ×8” | 15 5/8” ×11 5/8” ×7 5/8 | 42-53 lbs |
How much does a 4” Cinder full block weight in kg? Size: 16 x 4 x 8
This cinder block is commonly available for construction and its size is 16” ×4” ×8”. This is a nominal size of cinder block of 4” width. While its standard dimension is obtained by subtracting a mortar thickness of 3/8”.
The actual dimension of 4” cinder block is 15 5/8” ×3 5/8” ×7 5/8”. The volume is obtained by multiplying the length × breadth × height. The volume of 4” inch cinder block is 512 inch3 and density of good quality cinder block is 0.054 lb/in3. The weight of block is obtained by multiplying the volume of 4” block size with its density. The weight of 4” cinder block varies from 14-18 lbs.
Also Read: Cinder Block dimensions guide as per ASTM Standard.
How much does a 4” Cinder half block weight Size: 8x4x4
The half cinder block is also used during construction to avoid breaking of blocks for completing a course of masonry. The only difference between full and half blocks is their length. The nominal dimension of this block is 8” ×4” ×8”.
While its standard dimension is obtained by subtracting mortar thickness from each side. The actual dimension obtained is 7 5/8” ×3 5/8” ×7 5/8”. The volume is calculated by multiplying standard dimension of each side of block. The weight is calculated by multiplying volume of block with its density. The weight of half cinder block is half of weight of full-length cinder block.
How much does a 6” cinder block weight Size; 16x6x8
6” cinder block is available in two different lengths. One is full block length of 16” and other is half block length of 8”.
6” Cinder full block weight
The 6” block is also used for construction. It is used for construction of wall of 6” thickness. The nominal size of this block 16” ×6” ×8”. While its standard size is obtained by subtracting mortar thickness from each side.
The actual thickness of block is 15 5/8” ×5 5/8” ×7 5/8. The volume is obtained by multiplying the standard each side dimension. The volume is then multiplied with its density to obtain its weight. The weight of 6” cinder block varies from 21-26 lbs.
6” inch cinder block of half-length is also available, and it is used to complete course of stone masonry without breaking of stone blocks. The standard dimension of 6” inch cinder block of half-length is 7 5/8” ×5 5/8” ×7 5/8. Its weight is half of the weight of full-length cinder block which is 24/2=12 lbs.
Also Read: Block Wall foundation – Requirements
How much does a 8” cinder block weight – Size: 16x8x8
The 8” block is used for construction of wall of 8” thickness. The nominal thickness of this block is 16” ×8” ×8”. While standard dimension of this cinder block is 15 5/8” ×7 5/8” ×7 5/8”. Then volume is calculated by using standard dimensions of cinder block. The weight is calculated by multiplying its density with volume of block. The weight of 8” wide cinder block varies from 28 to 35 lbs.
How much does a 10” cinder block weight : size: 16x10x8
The 10” block is also used for construction. It is used for walls of 10” thickness. The nominal size of this block 16” ×10” ×8”. While its standard size is obtained by subtracting mortar thickness from each side. The actual thickness of block is 15 5/8” ×9 5/8” ×7 5/8. The weight is calculated by multiplying its density with volume of block. The weight of 10” wide cinder block varies from 35 to 44 lbs.
Also Read: Erosion Control by Concrete Blocks
How much does a 12” cinder block weight : Size: 16x12x8
The 12” block is used for construction of wall of 12” thickness. The nominal thickness of this block is 16” ×12” ×8”. While standard dimension of this cinder block is 15 5/8” ×11 5/8” ×7 5/8”. This dimension is obtained by subtracting mortar thickness from each side of block. Then volume is calculated by using standard dimensions of cinder block. The weight is calculated by multiplying its density with volume of block. The weight of 12” wide cinder block varies from 42 to 53 lbs.
Conclusion
According to ASTM standards the cinder blocks are available in different sizes. The cinder blocks are identified by their nominal size. The nominal size includes mortar thickness on each side. While standard dimension of block is 3/8” less than nominal dimension.
After calculating its standard dimensions multiply the volume of cinder block to its density to obtain its weight.
I hope I’ve answered properly for all your questions like how much does a cinder block weigh? How much do cinder blocks weigh, or how much does a concrete block weigh and how heavy is a cinder block.
Further Read: CMU Wall – Detail – Construction – Sizes & 5 Types Shapes
