Stacked boxes on pallet with dimensions labeled.

Density Calculation

Once you know the weight and dimensions of the shipment:

  • Multiply Length x width x height= The result is the total cubic inches of the shipment.
  • If you have multiple pieces, multiply the height x width x depth for each piece. Take the results for each piece and add them together to get the total cubic inches.
  • Divide the total cubic inches by 1,728 (the number of cubic inches in a cubic foot). The result is the cubic feet of the shipment.

Then divide the weight (in pounds) of the shipment by the total cubic feet. The result is the pounds per cubic foot, i.e., density (PCF)

  • For multiple pieces, add the weight of each piece together before dividing by the total cubic feet of the shipment. Or calculate each one individually
  • Round fractions to the nearest full cubic foot number.

For example, if the skid weighs 500 pounds with dimensions of 42 inches x 48 inches x 48 inches:

  1. Multiply 42" x 48" x 48" = 96,768 cubic inches
  2. Divide 96,768 by 1,728 = 56 cubic feet
  3. Divide 500 pounds by 56 cubic feet = 8.9 pounds per cubic feet (PCF), i.e., the shipment density.