Pound/cubic foot to Kilogram/cubic meter Converter
Enter the value that you want to convert pound/cubic foot (lb/ft³) to kilogram/cubic meter (kg/m³) or kilogram/cubic meter to pound/cubic foot.Also written as LB/FT³ to KG/M³ conversion.
1 pound/cubic foot = 16.0184630 kilogram/cubic meter
Formula: kilogram/cubic meter = pound/cubic foot value × 16.0184630
LB/FT³ to KG/M³ — pound/cubic foot to kilogram/cubic meter
10 pound/cubic foot = 160.18463 kilogram/cubic meter
Popular Density Converters:
Converting Pound/cubic foot to Kilogram/cubic meter
The Pound/cubic foot in Engineering
Pound/cubic foot (lb/ft³) is a unit of density measurement. 1 pound/cubic foot is equal to 16.0184630 kilogram/cubic meter.
The Kilogram/cubic meter in Engineering
Kilogram/cubic meter (kg/m³) is a unit of density measurement. 1 kilogram/cubic meter is equal to 0.0624280 pound/cubic foot.
Density Conversions in Materials Science
Density units vary by industry: chemists use g/mL or g/cm³, engineers use kg/m³, and American petroleum standards use lb/ft³ or lb/gal. Quality control in manufacturing, buoyancy calculations in naval architecture, concrete mix design, and oil/gas well logging all require converting between density units. Different countries and standards bodies specify materials in different density units.
pound/cubic foot to kilogram/cubic meter metric conversion table
| 0.01 lb/ft³ | = | 0.16018 kg/m³ |
| 0.1 lb/ft³ | = | 1.60185 kg/m³ |
| 1 lb/ft³ | = | 16.01846 kg/m³ |
| 2 lb/ft³ | = | 32.03693 kg/m³ |
| 3 lb/ft³ | = | 48.05539 kg/m³ |
| 4 lb/ft³ | = | 64.07385 kg/m³ |
| 5 lb/ft³ | = | 80.09231 kg/m³ |
| 6 lb/ft³ | = | 96.11078 kg/m³ |
| 7 lb/ft³ | = | 112.12924 kg/m³ |
| 8 lb/ft³ | = | 128.14770 kg/m³ |
| 9 lb/ft³ | = | 144.16617 kg/m³ |
| 10 lb/ft³ | = | 160.18463 kg/m³ |
| 11 lb/ft³ | = | 176.20309 kg/m³ |
| 12 lb/ft³ | = | 192.22156 kg/m³ |
| 13 lb/ft³ | = | 208.24002 kg/m³ |
| 14 lb/ft³ | = | 224.25848 kg/m³ |
| 15 lb/ft³ | = | 240.27695 kg/m³ |
| 16 lb/ft³ | = | 256.29541 kg/m³ |
| 17 lb/ft³ | = | 272.31387 kg/m³ |
| 18 lb/ft³ | = | 288.33233 kg/m³ |
| 19 lb/ft³ | = | 304.35080 kg/m³ |
| 20 lb/ft³ | = | 320.36926 kg/m³ |
| 30 lb/ft³ | = | 480.55389 kg/m³ |
| 40 lb/ft³ | = | 640.73852 kg/m³ |
| 50 lb/ft³ | = | 800.92315 kg/m³ |
| 60 lb/ft³ | = | 961.10778 kg/m³ |
| 70 lb/ft³ | = | 1121.29241 kg/m³ |
| 80 lb/ft³ | = | 1281.47704 kg/m³ |
| 90 lb/ft³ | = | 1441.66167 kg/m³ |
| 100 lb/ft³ | = | 1601.84630 kg/m³ |
| 200 lb/ft³ | = | 3203.69260 kg/m³ |
| 300 lb/ft³ | = | 4805.53890 kg/m³ |
| 400 lb/ft³ | = | 6407.38520 kg/m³ |
| 500 lb/ft³ | = | 8009.23150 kg/m³ |
| 600 lb/ft³ | = | 9611.07780 kg/m³ |
| 700 lb/ft³ | = | 11212.92410 kg/m³ |
| 800 lb/ft³ | = | 12814.77040 kg/m³ |
| 900 lb/ft³ | = | 14416.61670 kg/m³ |
| 1000 lb/ft³ | = | 16018.46300 kg/m³ |
How to Convert LB/FT³ to KG/M³ (Pound/cubic foot to Kilogram/cubic meter)?
We can convert pound/cubic foot to kilogram/cubic meter by using an example.
Example:
Convert 20 Pound/cubic foot to Kilogram/cubic meter?
We know 1 Pound/cubic foot = 16.0184630 kilogram/cubic meter; 1 Kilogram/cubic meter = 0.0624280 pound/cubic foot.
20 pound/cubic foot = ___kg/m³
20 × 16.0184630 = 320.36926 kg/m³ (we know 1 pound/cubic foot = 16.0184630 kilogram/cubic meter)
Answer:
20 pound/cubic foot = 320.36926 kilogram/cubic meter
Converting lb/ft³ to kg/m³: Imperial to SI for Soil and Construction
US geotechnical engineers, building inspectors, and HVAC designers work with lb/ft³ daily, but international collaboration and FEA software require kg/m³. The conversion factor is 1 lb/ft³ = 16.018 kg/m³. This comes from 1 lb = 0.45359 kg and 1 ft³ = 0.02832 m³, giving 0.45359/0.02832 = 16.018.
- Start with the density in lb/ft³.
- Multiply by 16.018 to get kg/m³.
- Verify: water = 62.43 lb/ft³ × 16.018 = 1,000 kg/m³ ✓.
- For a quick estimate, multiply by 16.
Soil and Building Materials: lb/ft³ to kg/m³
Materials commonly specified in lb/ft³ in US practice, with SI equivalents:
| Pound/cubic foot | Kilogram/cubic meter |
|---|---|
| 62.4 lb/ft³ | 1,000 kg/m³ |
| 100 lb/ft³ | 1,602 kg/m³ |
| 110 lb/ft³ | 1,762 kg/m³ |
| 120 lb/ft³ | 1,922 kg/m³ |
| 150 lb/ft³ | 2,403 kg/m³ |
| 490 lb/ft³ | 7,849 kg/m³ |
| 44 lb/ft³ | 705 kg/m³ |
| 1.5 lb/ft³ | 24 kg/m³ |
Worked Examples: lb/ft³ to kg/m³
Question 1: A proctor compaction test shows optimum dry density of 115 lb/ft³. Convert for an international design report.
Solution:
Density in kg/m³ = lb/ft³ × 16.018
= 115 × 16.018
= 1,842 kg/m³
Answer: 115 lb/ft³ = 1,842 kg/m³ — a well-compacted granular fill material.
Question 2: A fire-rated gypsum board has a density of 50 lb/ft³. Express in kg/m³.
Solution:
Density in kg/m³ = lb/ft³ × 16.018
= 50 × 16.018
= 801 kg/m³
Answer: 50 lb/ft³ = 801 kg/m³ for Type X gypsum board.
Question 3: Loose topsoil measures 75 lb/ft³. What is this in kg/m³?
Solution:
Density in kg/m³ = lb/ft³ × 16.018
= 75 × 16.018
= 1,201 kg/m³
Answer: 75 lb/ft³ = 1,201 kg/m³ for loose uncompacted topsoil.
Practice: lb/ft³ to kg/m³
Try solving these on your own to test your understanding:
- Convert 140 lb/ft³ (heavyweight concrete) to kg/m³. (Answer: 2,243 kg/m³)
- Express 28 lb/ft³ (cedar wood) in kg/m³. (Answer: 449 kg/m³)
- Crushed stone at 95 lb/ft³ in kg/m³. (Answer: 1,522 kg/m³)
- Perlite insulation at 8 lb/ft³ — convert. (Answer: 128 kg/m³)
- Wet sand at 130 lb/ft³ in kg/m³. (Answer: 2,082 kg/m³)
Soil Density and Foundation Design
Geotechnical investigations in the US report soil density in lb/ft³ (pcf). Allowable bearing pressure depends directly on compacted density: poorly compacted fill at 90 pcf (1,442 kg/m³) may only support 1,500 psf, while well-compacted granular fill at 125 pcf (2,002 kg/m³) can bear 3,000+ psf. When these values feed into FEA models built in SI units, accurate conversion to kg/m³ is critical for settlement and stability predictions.
Dead Load Calculations in Structural Engineering
US building codes (IBC/ASCE 7) tabulate material weights in lb/ft³ for dead load calculations. A 6-inch concrete slab at 150 lb/ft³ produces 75 psf dead load. International projects using Eurocodes need the same slab expressed as 2,403 kg/m³ × 0.15 m = 360.5 kg/m² ≈ 3.54 kN/m². The lb/ft³ to kg/m³ conversion bridges these code systems.
Key Takeaways
- 1 lb/ft³ = 16.018 kg/m³ (multiply by 16).
- Water = 62.4 lb/ft³ = 1,000 kg/m³ is the calibration reference.
- Critical for converting US geotechnical data to international standards.
- Quick mental math: multiply by 16 for accuracy within 0.1%.
- Structural dead loads must be converted accurately between code systems.
Pound/cubic foot to Kilogram/cubic meter Conversion Formula
kilogram/cubic meter = pound/cubic foot × 16.0184630
1 pound/cubic foot = 16.0184630 kilogram/cubic meter
1 kilogram/cubic meter = 0.0624280 pound/cubic foot
Reverse: pound/cubic foot = kilogram/cubic meter × 0.0624280
Frequently Asked Questions
How many kilogram/cubic meter are in 1 pound/cubic foot?
There are 16.0184630 kilogram/cubic meter in 1 pound/cubic foot. To convert pound/cubic foot to kilogram/cubic meter, multiply the value by 16.0184630.
How do I convert pound/cubic foot to kilogram/cubic meter?
Multiply your pound/cubic foot value by 16.0184630 to get the equivalent in kilogram/cubic meter. For example, 5 pound/cubic foot = 5 × 16.0184630 = 80.09231 kilogram/cubic meter.
How do I convert kilogram/cubic meter to pound/cubic foot?
Multiply your kilogram/cubic meter value by 0.0624280 to get the equivalent in pound/cubic foot. Alternatively, divide by 16.0184630.
What is 10 pound/cubic foot in kilogram/cubic meter?
10 pound/cubic foot is equal to 160.18463 kilogram/cubic meter.
What is 100 pound/cubic foot in kilogram/cubic meter?
100 pound/cubic foot is equal to 1601.84630 kilogram/cubic meter.