Typical concrete block weights by size
The table below comes from one manufacturer's product sheet (Basalite building blocks, Washington). It shows how much size and shape change the weight. Other producers' units can differ by several pounds.
| Unit (nominal) | Listed weight | Units per pallet | Block weight per pallet |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8×8×16 standard | 40 lb | 90 | 3,600 lb |
| 6×8×16 standard | 27 lb | 120 | 3,240 lb |
| 8×8×8 half | 22 lb | 150 | 3,300 lb |
| 6×8×8 half | 12 lb | 200 | 2,400 lb |
| 8×4×16 solid | 28 lb | 120 | 3,360 lb |
Pallet figures are block weight only, before the pallet itself. ASTM C90 also groups units by the density of their concrete: lightweight below 105 lb/ft³, medium weight from 105 to under 125 lb/ft³, and normal weight at 125 lb/ft³ or more. A lightweight 8×8×16 unit weighs less than the normal-weight unit above.
Use unit weight for packaged block purchases
Calculate block-only weight as purchased units × weight per unit. If you buy 119 of the 40-lb units listed above, the block-only weight is 4,760 lb. That number excludes the pallet, mortar, fill and other supplies.
If a supplier gives a range, calculate a range rather than treating the midpoint as exact. At 35–40 lb per unit, the same 119-unit purchase would be 4,165–4,760 lb before packaging.
Keep density and hollow geometry separate
Multiplying a hollow block's outside length, height and width by solid concrete density treats its empty cores as concrete. The result can substantially overstate weight. A block's published unit weight avoids that problem.
CMHA describes masonry units made with different aggregate and density classifications. Overall unit weight also depends on how much material its shape contains. Nominal wall thickness therefore cannot identify the correct unit weight or establish load capacity.
Use the block calculator for the purchase count. The concrete weight calculator is for a known volume and chosen density; it should not be used on the external envelope of hollow blocks.
Confirm the loaded delivery total
Ask the supplier for bags or units per pallet, the complete shipping weight and any deposit or pallet-return arrangement. A pallet count alone cannot verify whether a vehicle can carry the order. Use the vehicle's actual limits and obtain appropriate delivery advice.
Grouted wall weight is a different estimate from the delivery weight of empty units. It needs the actual fill volume and fill material, plus mortar and reinforcing where present. The block fill calculator can estimate a specified core volume, but it does not decide which cells require filling. Follow the project's wall design for that decision.
Sources & further reading
- Basalite: Building Blocks product sheet (unit weights and pallet counts)
- CMHA: Concrete Masonry Unit Shapes, Sizes, Properties and Specifications
Examples illustrate arithmetic. Use project specifications and current local supplier quotes for a purchase.