How Much Does a Cinder Block Weigh?

As a homeowner, picking up the supplies you’ll need to bring your next project to life is invigorating. For many property owners, cinder blocks are a big part of the equation. But if you need to get a lot of cinder blocks home or place each one yourself, you may ask, “How much does a cinder block weigh?”

Cinder blocks can weigh different amounts based on their size and whether they’re solid or hollow. On the low-end, cinder blocks may weigh as little as 15 lbs. (7 kg). On the upper end, cinder blocks can weigh about 52 lbs. (23.5 kg).

Cinder blocks are usually a bit weighty, but most are reasonably manageable. However, it’s wise to see approximately how much the exact cinder blocks you’ll need weigh before beginning your project. Here’s what you need to know about the weight of cinder blocks.

What Are the Different Sizes of Cinder Blocks?

Cinder blocks come in a variety of sizes, with the most widely used size is 8 inches x 8 inches x 16 inches, but there are many more sizes on the market.

Generally, cinder blocks range in height from 2 to 12 inches. The width is typically more standardized, with most cinder blocks coming in at 8 inches. However, there are exceptions, so you can find 4-inch or 6-inch widths in some products. The length is usually the longest dimension, typically between 8 and 16 inches.

Additionally, most cinder blocks are rectangles, but you can also find square cinder blocks. The latter is simply less common, but it’s still widely available.

Are Cinder Blocks Solid or Hollow?

Cinder blocks can be solid or hollow, but solid cinder blocks are smaller or slimmer than their hollow counterparts, and hollow cinder blocks are far more common.

Hollow core cinder blocks are more of a norm because the void provides benefits. First, it reduces the overall weight of the cinder block. Second, it can improve insulation, which is valuable if you’re building walls for a home or similar occupiable or storage building.

The void also leaves room for other structural support elements. For example, it creates space for rebar. Plus, by pouring concrete into the opening, you can make the wall solid once it’s built, all without the weight associated with a solid cinder block.

Another benefit of a hollow core is that the opening gives you a place to grip the cinder block. In some cases, you can place them one-handed, which may speed up the building process.

How Much Does a Cinder Block Weigh?

As mentioned above, how much a cinder block weighs varies. The size of the cinder block significantly impacts the overall weight, as larger sizes mean there’s more material.

Additionally, whether a cinder block is solid or hollow is a factor. If two cinder blocks have matching dimensions, but one is solid and the other is hollow, the solid one weighs more. Again, that’s because the solid version contains more material, leading to additional weight.

The material used to create cinder blocks is quite heavy. A cinder block is made from a mix of concrete and coal cinders. While the coal cinders make the blocks lighter than if concrete is used alone, the end result is still weighty.

Here is an overview of how much some of the most commonly used cinder block sizes weigh.

Cinder Block Size (in inches)	Weight in pounds	Weight in kg
2 x 8 x 16 (solid)	15	7
4 x 8 x 16 (hollow)	24	11
4 x 8 x 16 (solid)	33	15
6 x 8 x 16 (hollow)	25	11
8 x 8 x 8 (hollow)	18	8
8 x 8 x 16 (hollow)	38	17
10 x 8 x 16 (hollow)	43	19.5
12 x 8 x 16 (hollow)	52	23.5

It’s also critical to note that the weights above are dry weights. Cinder blocks are porous, so they can absorb moisture. When they do, water moves into spaces occupied by air when the cinder block is dry, making it heavier.

Precisely how much the weight increases when a cinder block is wet can vary. However, it’s best to assume that the weight increased by about a pound.

What Is the Average Weight of Hollow Cinder Blocks?

As shown in the proceeding table, the weight of hollow cinder blocks varies by size. Technically, the figures above are averages for each of the sizes. The composition of each cinder block can differ slightly. As a result, some cinder blocks that are the same size might not weigh precisely the same.

However, if you’re looking for the average weight of hollow cinder blocks based on the most widely used sizes, it’s possible to calculate it using the figures above. By adding all of the hollow core cinder block weights above, you get 200 pounds or 90 kg. Then, divide that by 6 – which is the number of hollow cinder blocks on that list – and you get an average of about 33 pounds or 15 kg.

Solid Cinder Block Weigh

As mentioned previously, solid cinder blocks weigh more than hollow cinder blocks of the same size due to the extra material used to create them. For example, a hollow 4-inch x 8-inch x 16-inch cinder block weighs 24 pounds (11 kg), while a solid version of the same size weighs 33 pounds (15 kg).

With solid cinder blocks, the empty area in hollow cinder blocks is absent. Instead, that space is filled with the same material that makes up the rest of a cinder block’s structure, leading to additional weight.

How Much Does a Two-Hole Cinder Block Weigh?

How much a two-hole cinder block weighs varies. Many different sizes of rectangular cinder blocks have two voids. For example, a 4-inch x 8-inch x 16-inch hollow cinder block has two holes, and so does a 12-inch x 8-inch x 16-inch one.

As a result, among the commonly used sizes, a two-hole cinder block can weigh between 24 and 52 pounds (7 and 23.5 kg). However, the exact weight depends on the size of the individual cinder block, so it’s best to research the weight of the precise size you’re using if you need a more accurate figure.

How Much Does a Pallet of 8 x 8 x 16 Cinder Block Weigh?

A pallet of 8-inch x 8-inch x 16-inch cinder blocks usually contains 72 hollow cinder blocks. Since each cinder block weighs approximately 38 pounds, you can calculate the total weight of the concrete blocks by multiplying 38 by 72. That gives you a figure of 2,736 pounds.

If you prefer the weight in kilograms, you can use the same approach. An 8-inch x 8-inch x 16-inch cinder block is about 17 kg. By multiplying that by 72, you get 1,224 kg of total weight.

However, those figures only account for the weight of the cinder blocks themselves. If you’re transporting a pallet intact, you also need to factor in the weight of the pallet and any straps or wraps holding the cinder blocks in place.

As with cinder blocks, the weight of the pallets and any securing materials can vary depending on their size and composition. However, it’s wise to assume that they add about 40 to 70 pounds to the total weight.

Are Cinder Blocks Lighter Than Concrete?

Overall, cinder blocks are lighter than concrete blocks of the same size. While both cement and concrete blocks contain concrete, there are differences in their composition.

Concrete is made from cement, water, and aggregate, such as gravel, sand, or crushed stone. With concrete blocks, those are the only components involved.

Cinder blocks contain the same materials as concrete, but they also include coal cinders as part of the aggregate. Coal cinder – technically ash – is far lighter than the aggregate materials usually found in concrete. As a result, they weigh a bit less.

Precisely how much less depends on the size of the block you’re comparing. However, for an 8-inch x 8-inch x 16-inch block, cinder blocks are approximately 10 pounds lighter than their concrete counterparts.

Is a Cinder Block Heavier Than a Brick?

Overall, brick is typically heavier than cinder blocks when you look at the total weight of the materials needed for a project.

A typical brick is approximately 3 5/8 inches x 2 1/4 inches x 7 5/8 inches, weighing around 4.5 pounds. As a result, you can compare the total weight of the brick versus the cinder block by calculating the number of bricks needed to handle the same area.

For example, it would take approximately four standard bricks to cover the same space as a 2-inch x 8-inch x 16-inch solid cinder block. As a result, the total weight of the required brick comes in nearly 18 pounds, while the cinder block weighs closer to 15 pounds.

How Much Does a Half Cinder Block Weigh?

When people talk about half cinder blocks, they’re technically referring to an 8-inch x 8-inch x 8-inch hollow cinder block. The reason is that the 8-inch x 8-inch x 8-inch size is half of the widely used 8-inch x 8-inch x 16-inch cinder block.

Generally, an 8-inch x 8-inch x 8-inch hollow cinder block weighs approximately 18 pounds, but the weight can vary slightly since each block is unique, so some may be closer to 19 pounds.

How to Calculate How Many Cinder Blocks You Need for Your Project

If you need to calculate the number of cinder blocks you’ll need for your project. You typically need to calculate the area you need to cover or the size of the wall you’re building.

If you’re going with a standard thickness of 8 inches, simply multiply the height and width of the area or wall. Then, multiply the height and width of the cinder block. Take those two figures, and divide the project or wall area by the cinder block area. That gives you the number of cinder blocks required.

Once you do that, it’s wise to increase the total number of cinder blocks you buy by 10 percent. By doing so, you’re giving yourself a margin of error. Plus, you’ll have replacement cinder blocks available if one gets damaged during the project, which is helpful.

Conclusion

How much a cinder block weighs depends on its size and whether it’s solid or hollow, as those factors impact the amount of material used to create the block. Generally, among standard sizes, the lightest cinder blocks weigh about 15 lbs. (7 kg). However, the larger, widely used cinder blocks can weigh 52 lbs. (23.5 kg), and some bigger, lesser-used cinder blocks weigh more.

Did you learn everything you wanted about how much cinder blocks weigh? If so, please let us know in the comments below. Also, if you know someone who’s wondering, “How much does a cinder block weigh?” make sure to share the article.