Natural stone specific weight: weight of 1 m³ and density
Natural stone is a solid rock or mineral of natural origin, excluding metals and sand. It is one of the oldest building and facing materials, used by humanity for bridges, houses, temples and facades. Thanks to natural texture and a variety of shades, stone is used in the finishing of houses, temples, palaces, estates and public buildings.
In modern construction, natural stone is most often used as a facing material, both for exterior and interior cladding. In this field it has gained popularity thanks to a large choice of colors, patterns and drawings, combinations of which can be selected for almost any type of house or room.
The main properties of natural stone include excellent wear resistance and high resistance to frost and moisture.
Natural stone specific weight table
Below is a table with all necessary indicators, including the specific weight of natural stone, which will help simplify the necessary calculations.
| Material | Specific weight, g/cm³ | Mohs hardness | Weight of 1 m³, kg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quartz group | 2.6 | 7 | 2650 |
| Aluminosilicate group | From 2.5 to 2.76 | 6 | From 2550 to 2760 |
| Ferromagnesian silicate group | From 3.2 to 3.6 | 7 | From 3200 to 3600 |
| Carbonate group | 2.7 | 3 | 2700 |
| Sulfate group | 2.3 | 2 | 2300 |
Using this table, it is easy to calculate such a parameter as the weight of natural stone.
Specific weight calculations
For practical calculations of natural stone mass, material density and the weight of one cubic meter are usually used. The values in the table are reference values: actual density depends on rock type, porosity, moisture and the specific deposit.
The density of a material is its mass in kilograms contained in one cubic meter. This parameter is very variable and depends on many factors, such as temperature. The density of natural stone on average ranges from 1100 to 2700 kg/m³. Such a wide range is caused by the large number of natural stone types, which in turn also affects such a parameter as the weight of a cubic meter of natural stone.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does 1 m³ of natural stone weigh?
Weight depends on rock type. The table gives common groups from about 2300 to 3600 kg/m³, while more porous stones may be lighter.
Why does natural stone density vary so much?
Density is affected by mineral composition, porosity, cracking, moisture and deposit. Even stones with the same trade name can differ.
What data should be used for cladding or foundations?
Reference data may be enough for decorative cladding, but load-bearing structures require properties of the specific stone and design calculation.