As cinder blocks vary in weight, it can be challenging to calculate the total load when it’s essential to pay attention to the weight limit, such as your floor’s maximum holding capacity.
Fortunately, there’s such a thing as a standard cinder block—measuring 8”x8”x16”—which you’ll most likely come across. Hollow blocks with these dimensions tip the scale at 38 pounds, whereas solid ones can be as heavy as 76 pounds.
In other words, to answer the question of “how much does a cinder block weigh?” you’ll need to take into account various factors, such as measurements, design, and material. To get an idea, check out the weight chart below.
Measurements
(Depth x Height x Length) |
Hollow Or Solid | Material | Weight |
8” x 8” x 16” | Hollow |
Cinder
|
38 pounds (17,2 kg) |
Solid | 76 pounds (34,5 kg) |
||
Hollow | Concrete | 38 pounds (17,2 kg) |
|
Solid | 51 pounds (23,1 kg) |
||
8” x 8” x 8” | Hollow | Cinder | 18 pounds (8,2 kg) |
Hollow | Concrete | 24,6 pounds (11,2 kg) |
|
6” x 8” x 16” | Hollow | Cinder | 25 pounds (11,3 kg) |
Solid | 56 pounds (25,4 kg) |
||
Hollow | Concrete | 32 pounds (14,5 kg) |
|
Solid | 51 pounds (23,1 kg) |
||
4” x 8” x 16” | Hollow | Cinder | 24 pounds (10,8 kg) |
Solid | 33 pounds (15 kg) |
||
Hollow | Concrete | 26 pounds (11,8 kg) |
|
Solid | 32 pounds (14,5 kg) |
||
10” x 8” x 16” | Hollow | Cinder | 43 pounds (19,5 kg) |
Hollow | Concrete | 49 pounds (22,2 kg) |
|
Solid | 62 pounds (28,1 kg) |
||
12” x 8” x 16” | Hollow | Cinder | 52 pounds (23,6 kg) |
Hollow | Concrete | 55 pounds (25 kg) |
|
Solid | 71 pounds (32,2 kg) |
||
2” x 8” x 16” | Solid | Cinder | 15 pounds (6,8 kg) |
Solid | Concrete | 17 pounds (7,7 kg) |
Table of Contents
How Heavy is a Cinder Block
1. Based on cinder block sizes
One of the aspects that makes it tricky to pin down a definite weight of cinder block is that this measurement varies depending on its density. As a result, you may come across blocks of the same size that weigh differently.
That said, you can usually come to a rough estimate regarding how heavy the block is based on its dimensions. As the weight and size are directly proportional, it makes sense for a bigger block to be heftier than a smaller one.
Below are the different types of cinder blocks and their expected weight. Note that the figures mentioned are dry weight, or the mass of the blocks when they are completely dry.
- 8 × 8 × 16 cinder block
8-by 16 cinder block is the most common size and is considered the standard. If your foundation wall measures 8 inches thick, chances are that the builders have used this size.
You can expect this average cinder block size to be around 38 pounds. Nonetheless, because density varies, some slabs may only tip the scale at roughly 28 to 35 pounds.
The figures mentioned above are for hollow pieces only. Solid 8 inch blocks are much heftier, tipping the scale at 76 pounds.
- 8 × 8 × 8 cinder block
Typically used for building columns or mortar joints, these half blocks are hollow and commonly weigh 18 pounds, with some denser slabs having a heft of 23 pounds. An airier one, however, may only be around 14 lbs.
- 6×8×16 cinder block
Similar to the 8 × 8 × 8 sizes, a 6 × 8 × 16 cinder block can also be used for foundation structures. These 6-inch slabs, if hollow, have a mass of 21 to 26 pounds, with 25 being the most likely scenario.
It’s also possible to find a solid cinder block of this size. In this case, it’ll be a lot heavier, often weighing up to 56 pounds.
- 4 × 8 × 16 cinder block
You can come across a 4 × 8 × 16 cinder block in both hollow and solid versions. For the former option, this building material for veneer and partition walls will be around 24 pounds. A particularly denser one, however, can be as heavy as 27 pounds.
A solid block of this size has a load of 33 pounds. It’s typically used for capping a wall, meaning it’s essential for keeping rainfall from seeping further down the structure.
- 10 × 8 × 16 cinder block
A 10-inch building slab measures approximately 35 to 46 in pounds, but you can expect 43 to be the most likely case. Cinder blocks of this size are usually hollow, allowing you to put in rebar as means of reinforcement.
- 12 × 8 × 16 cinder block
Typically used for larger structures, such as schools, a 12-inch slab is also hollow like its 10-inch counterpart. Given how bulky the block is, it’s not that surprising to see it tip the scale at 52 pounds, with some denser blocks weighing up to 58 pounds.
- 2 × 8 × 16 cinder block
Like its 4 × 8 × 16 counterparts, a 2 × 8 × 16 cinder block is also utilized to protect structures from rainwater penetration. To do its job effectively, this building material is always solid, making it weigh 15 to 16 pounds despite its small size.
2. Based on materials
While they may look similar, blocks made from cinder and concrete will have different weights. For starters, concrete is stronger and usually heavier than cinder, making it preferable when durability is of utmost importance.
However, as mentioned above, if made from a dense mixture, cinder blocks can be just as hefty. This is why a hollow 8 x 8 x 16 concrete block can share the same mass – 38 pounds – as a cinder block of the same size.
That said, it’s far more realistic to expect a concrete block weight to be greater than that of cinder slabs.
- A hollow 12x8x16 concrete block, for example, will tip the scale at 55 pounds – 3 pounds heavier than one made from cinder. You also have the option of getting a solid 12 inch concrete block, which has a load of 71 pounds.
- 10 × 8 × 16 cement block dimensions can be as heavy as 49 pounds, or around 3 to 6 pounds heavier than its concrete counterpart.
- Compared to the 25-pound heft of a hollow 6 x 8 x 16 cinder block, the 32-pound weight of a concrete slab of the same size is rather impressive.
3. Based on the state of the block
Another thing you’ll need to take into consideration is whether the blocks are wet or dry. As they are highly porous, cinder blocks can absorb water and become heavier. When this happens, their load will change, depending on how much liquid they soaked up.
So, how heavier will a soaked cinder block be compared to a dry one? This again boils down to the size of the slab and whether it’s solid or hollow, but the most likely range is between 0.5 to a little over 2 pounds.
- To name an example, a hollow 4 x 8 x 16 or 8 x 8 x 8 block will gain only 0.5 pound when either has fully absorbed water. This variation can seem negligible when compared to the 2-pound increase for drenched 8 x 8 x 16 solid blocks.
- Similarly, when wet, slabs with dimensions of 8 x 8 x 16, 6 x 8 x 16, 10 x 8 x 16, and 2 x 8 x 16 will be one pound heavier, give or take. Note that these blocks are all hollow except for the last one.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a cinder block cost?
Compared to some other building materials, such as wood, cinder blocks cost is pretty affordable – averaging less than $5 per piece. In practice, each cinder block will only set you back $1 to $3.
Where to use cinder blocks?
The applications of cinder blocks aren’t limited to building or capping walls only. Check out a few other creative ways to use cinder blocks below:
- Utilize cinder blocks to build beautiful garden beds for your flowers and plants.
- Cinder blocks are an excellent building material for grills and fire pits.
- A customized outdoor eating table will be a great companion for the grills.
- It’s also an excellent idea to line up these building blocks as garden borders. Feel free to plant some colorful flowers in there to jazz up the look.
- These blocks are suitable as flower pots as well.
- An outdoor flight of stairs will look stunning when fashioned with cinder blocks.
Conclusion
As there is no reliable cinder block weight calculator as of date, the next best thing you can do is to get a rough estimate of how heavy each individual slab is. This can be no easy task, considering how the mass can vary depending on the size, density, material, and whether the block is wet or dry.
If you intend to find the answer to “How much does a cinder block weigh” by measuring one slab and multiplying it by the number of blocks needed, make sure it’s dry. This way, you’ll get the most accurate result.
Hi, I am Roseanne Jones, an aspiring home designer that wants to make you feel more at home with your new house.With nearly five years of redecorating old residents and arranging new ones, I am confident that I can give you the best advice on your lovely place.