Convert bushels to actual weight and adjust to standard market moisture.
Enter the number of bushels, your measured test weight, current grain moisture, and the standard market moisture. The calculator gives total weight in pounds, kilograms and short tons, plus the weight adjusted to standard moisture.
A farmer sold 5,000 bu of wet corn at 56 lb/bu but the elevator used 54 lb/bu test weight. The difference was 10,000 lb — five tons of grain that should have been weighed. Knowing test weight converts bushels protects your check.
✓ Expert Reviewed: This calculator and its content have been reviewed by agricultural experts. Formulas are based on standard extension service recommendations. For site-specific advice, consult your local agronomist.
Enter the required input values in the form fields above. Each field includes default values that you can adjust to match your specific situation. Click the Calculate button (or simply change any input) to see instant results. Use the Metric/Imperial toggle to switch between unit systems. Results are displayed in the results panel and can be used for farm planning and decision-making.
This calculator is designed to help farmers, agronomists, and agricultural students make quick, accurate calculations for farm management. It uses standard agricultural formulas based on extension service recommendations and scientific literature. Whether you are planning inputs, estimating yields, or managing finances, this tool provides reliable estimates to support your decisions.
Weight (lb) = bushels × test weight (lb/bu). kg = lb × 0.4536. Short tons = lb ÷ 2,000. Standard-moisture weight = Weight × (100 − actual moisture) ÷ (100 − standard moisture). Standard moistures: corn 15.5%, soybeans 13%, wheat 13.5%.
5,000 bu at 56 lb/bu = 280,000 lb = 127,006 kg = 140 tons. At 18% moisture vs 15.5% standard: adjusted weight = 280,000 × (82 ÷ 84.5) = 271,716 lb.
Common mistakes: using a standard 56 lb/bu without measuring actual test weight; confusing short tons (2,000 lb) with metric tonnes (2,204.6 lb); forgetting moisture adjustment; mixing up bushel weights for different commodities.
Test weight is the density of grain, measured in pounds per bushel. It varies with variety, maturity, growing conditions and moisture. Standard test weight for No. 2 corn is 54 lb/bu; No. 1 is 56 lb/bu.
Wet grain weighs more but that extra weight is water, not saleable grain. The market pays on dry matter at standard moisture (corn 15.5%, soybeans 13%, wheat 13.5%).
A short ton is 2,000 lb. A metric tonne is 2,204.6 lb (1,000 kg). Be sure which unit your elevator uses before comparing prices.
Yes. Elevators often discount grain below standard test weight. Lower test weight means fewer saleable bushels even though the physical weight is the same.
Use a official test weight per Winchester bushel vessel (1.244 cu ft) or a moisture/test weight meter. Take multiple samples across the load for an accurate average.