Wood Pole Weight Estimation Calculator

Frequently Asked Questions

How Accurate is LED Lighting Supply’s Wood Pole Weight Calculator?

This is one of the most common questions we receive from contractors and engineers using our instant calculation tool. Our calculator provides a standardized estimate based on ANSI-recognized taper rates, wood species density ranges, and pole class data. We’ve designed it to reflect pre-treatment air-dried densities for Douglas Fir, Southern Yellow Pine, and Western Red Cedar. The output is suitable for planning and budgeting purposes, but we always recommend confirming final weight for transport, hoisting, or engineering design. It is always recommended to work with a Product Expert who understands the requirements of the project to make a custom light or utility pole recommendation.

How Do I Enter Multiple Different Pole Types for a Single Project?

We’ve made that process simple. You can add multiple pole types with varying classes, lengths, or species by clicking the "+" icon under the number of poles field. This feature is especially useful for large projects where multiple sizes or types of poles are required for different zones. We’ve seen customers use this to quickly estimate total load. Our team of Product Specialists can provide a custom-tailored layout recommendation with accurate fixture counts ahead of purchase.

In our 15+ years of supporting pole installations, we've learned a lot about selecting the right pole class.

What is utility pole class? A pole’s Pole class determines how much bending force and weight the pole can withstand, especially under wind or fixture loads. The chart above outlines the common uses of each class. Class 1 poles, for example, have the largest diameter and are best for high-load applications, while Class 5 poles are suited for lighter-duty installations. If you're unsure, our Product Specialists can help you evaluate EPA requirements, wind zone data, and fixture load to recommend the most appropriate pole class for your project’s environment.

Can I Use This Calculator to Determine Lumber Weight?

Our wood pole calculator is not designed to determine lumber weight. You must physically weigh the lumber to determine it's weight or use the wood pole weight by volume formula mentioned above.

Can I Enter Custom Diameters Instead of Class?

Our calculator is optimized to generate estimates based on various characteristics including pole length and class-based thickness, which follow ANSI guidelines. This ensures consistency and ease of use for most standard projects. 

If you're working with a custom-milled pole or have field-measured diameters, we recommend using the manual formula option provided above. This allows you to enter top and butt diameters directly into a volume-based formula using density data from our chart.

Is the Wood Pole Weight Affected by Treatment or Moisture Content?

Yes, and this is a point many first-time users overlook. Treated poles are significantly heavier and have a higher density than air-dried versions of the same species. Adding a treatment could add up to 60 pounds per cubic foot (lbs/ft³). Wood pole treatments not only affect weights but also extend the life of the pole.

Benefits of Wood Pole Treatments (CCA-Treated Wood Poles)

• Known for their resistance to rot, insect, and decay
• Minimal maintenance, cost-effective solution

Moisture content can increase the pole’s weight by up to 40–50%, especially if the pole is still green or pressure-treated for outdoor use. While the pole class doesn’t change based on moisture, actual weight and handling requirements do.

Does the Weight Calculator Account for Taper, or is it a Straight Cylinder?

Our calculator accounts for the taper of wood poles, following ANSI guidelines for top and butt taper. This taper significantly influences weight and is what makes manual calculations more complex, which is why we’ve embedded those formulas into the calculator logic. The final estimated weight accounts for the geometry of a tapered structure, not just a straight cylinder.

How Do I Know How Many Poles I Need for My Layout?

Our Product Specialists have recommended light and utility pole solutions for 15+ years. We’ve found that factors such as mounting height, EPA, fixture output, and site conditions all play a role. If you’re looking for recommendations, our Product Specialists can calculate optimal spacing and wood pole quantity based on your project’s requirements.

Our Product Specialists have helped layout hundreds of lighting and pole installations, and we’ve found that factors like mounting height, EPA, fixture output, and site conditions all play a role. If you’re looking for recommendations, we offer Free Pole Quotes and Lighting Layout Plans to help calculate optimal spacing and quantity based on your project’s goals.

Can I see Estimated Soil-bearing, Foundation Area, or Wind-load Guidance for My Pole Weight?

While this utilities calculator focuses on weight estimation, we’ve built supporting calculators and resources to help you analyze foundation area, wind load capacity, and soil-bearing requirements. As a general guideline:

• Foundation area should account for both pole and fixture weight, wind load, and soil-bearing capacity. This is especially important in hurricane-prone or high-altitude zones.
• Wind load capacity is determined by a government-regulated Effective Projected Area (EPA) wind rating. The rating varies based on the region in which the light pole is installed and depends on the pole’s class and installation height.
• Soil-bearing capacity refers to the weight the ground can safely support. Heavier poles may require deeper footings or compacted bases.

If you’d like to combine multiple calculations into a single analysis, our team of Product Specialists can help walk you through the process. We can also provide a custom-tailored light or utility pole solution to align with the needs of your project.

How to Calculate the Weight of a Wood Pole

Calculate the weight of the wood pole by using information provided by your Supplier or by manually calculating using the pole’s volume and density. Using a wood weight calculator is a convenient way to estimate the weight of a wood pole without physically weighing it. Here are two ways to calculate:

Once you have estimated the weight, you can apply this information in real-world scenarios, such as planning for transportation, installation, or handling of the wood pole.

Option A: Use Pre-Weighed Pole Data

Step One: Determine Average Weight Per Pole

Determine the average weight of timber in pounds using the Supplier’s specifications.

Step Two: Wood Pole Weight Formula

Multiply the weight per wood pole by the number of poles in your project, explicitly multiplying these values to get the total weight using the formula below.

• Total Weight = Weight per Wood Pole (lbs) x Number of Wood Poles

Option B: Use Volume and Density

Step One: Wood Pole Diameter Formula Using Diameter

Measure the butt and top diameter in inches. Determine the length of the pole in feet. While circumference is often used for tapered poles, pole width or diameter at the top and butt, is key to accurate volume-based weight calculations.

If you only have circumference measurements, use this formula to find the diameter:

• Diameter = Circumference / π

Step Two: Determine the Density of the Pole

Find the density of the pole in the specs or use the table below to find the average. It's important to note that different cases, such as green, air-dried, or kiln-dried wood, affect the calculation due to varying moisture content. In addition, add any treatment's weight to the density in pounds per cubic foot (lbs/ft³).

What are green wood, air-dried wood, and kiln-dried wood?

• Green wood is defined as timber that is freshly cut without being dried. This type of wood is typically ideal for projects where drying is required on-site. Green wood can be used as a structural utility pole as long as it is treated properly.
• Air-dried wood is referred to as wood that has become dry naturally due to air exposure and various weather conditions. This wood generally has enhanced stability over green wood but contains excessive moisture for precision work.
• Kiln-dried wood becomes dry from controlled heat sources, humidity, and air. Kiln-dried wood poles are less desirable for industrial utility projects, but may provide the best solution for commercial projects, such as parking lots and signage.

Wood Light & Utility Pole Density Chart

Density is a measure of how much mass is contained in a given volume of wood and is critical for wood pole weight calculations.

The wood pole density chart below provides general estimations for the density of Southern Yellow Pine, Douglas Fir, Southern Yellow Pine, Western Red Cedar, and Other Pine Poles. Remember, actual values vary by Supplier, and treatments should be accounted for by adding it to the density in pounds per cubic foot (lbs/ft³).

Step Three: Calculate the Volume per Pole

Use the formula below to calculate the volume of each pole in cubic feet:

• Volume (ft³) = (π × L / 12) × [(D₁ ⁄ 2)² + (D₂ ⁄ 2)² + (D₁ ⁄ 2 × D₂ ⁄ 2)]
• Where - π = Pi (≈ 3.1416)
• L = Length of the pole in feet
• D₁ = Butt diameter in inches
• D₂ = Top diameter in inches

Step Four: Wood Pole Weight Formula Using Volume

Lastly, calculate the weight of the per pole using the formula below:

• Weight per Pole = Volume (ft³) × Density (lbs/ft³)

To calculate the weight of a single pole, use the formula above. For multiple poles, multiply the weight per pole by the number of poles to determine the total pole weight.

• Total Weight = Weight per Pole x Number of Wood Poles
• Total Weight = Volume (ft³) × Density (lbs/ft³) x Number of Wood Poles

While most values are shown in imperial units (feet, inches, lbs), you can convert to metric units (meters, cm, kg/m³) using standard conversion formulas.