Convert between bushels, pounds, metric tons, and hundredweight for corn, wheat, soybeans, and 10+ grain types. Includes price and volume unit conversions.
Grain is traded in a bewildering array of units around the world. In the United States, the bushel is king—but a bushel of corn (56 lbs) weighs differently than a bushel of wheat (60 lbs) or oats (32 lbs). International markets use metric tons. Elevators may quote in hundredweight (cwt). Truckers need short tons. And every unit conversion depends on which grain you're talking about.
This calculator eliminates confusion by letting you select any grain type and convert seamlessly between bushels, pounds, short tons, metric tons, hundredweight, and kilograms. It also handles volume conversions (bushels to cubic feet and liters) and price conversions ($/bushel to $/ton, $/cwt, etc.).
Whether you're a farmer selling grain, a commodity trader managing international contracts, a feed mill buying ingredients, or a student learning agricultural economics, this tool provides instant, accurate conversions for all major grain commodities with their standard test weights.
For best results, combine calculator output with direct observation and periodic check-ins with a veterinarian or qualified advisor. Small adjustments made early usually improve comfort, safety, and long-term outcomes more than large corrective changes made later.
Grain unit conversions are error-prone because every grain has a different test weight. A simple multiplication mistake can mean thousands of dollars in a grain contract. This calculator ensures accuracy across all common units and grain types. This grain conversion calculator helps you compare outcomes quickly and reduce avoidable mistakes when making day-to-day care decisions. Use the estimate as a planning baseline and confirm final decisions with a qualified professional when risk is high.
Weight (lbs) = Bushels × Test Weight (lb/bu). Short tons = lbs / 2,000. Metric tons = lbs / 2,204.62. CWT = lbs / 100. Volume: 1 bushel = 1.2445 ft³ = 35.2391 liters. Price: $/ton = $/bu × (2000 / test weight).
Result: 56,000 lbs = 28 short tons = 25.4 metric tons
1,000 bushels of corn at 56 lb/bu = 56,000 lbs. Dividing by 2,000 gives 28 short tons; dividing by 2,204.62 gives 25.4 metric tons.
Each grain commodity has an official standard test weight that defines what a "bushel" weighs. These standards were established by the USDA and are used in all commercial grain trade. Corn: 56 lb/bu, Soybeans: 60 lb/bu, Wheat: 60 lb/bu, Oats: 32 lb/bu, Barley: 48 lb/bu, Grain Sorghum: 56 lb/bu, Rye: 56 lb/bu, Sunflower: 28 lb/bu, Canola: 50 lb/bu, Flaxseed: 56 lb/bu.
Understanding capacity in different transportation modes is essential for logistics planning. A standard semi-trailer holds 900-1,100 bushels depending on commodity density and weight limits. A 65-foot covered hopper rail car holds about 3,500 bushels of corn. A standard Mississippi River barge holds about 52,500 bushels. An ocean-going Panamax vessel holds roughly 2,000,000 bushels. Knowing these conversions helps coordinate harvest logistics and marketing timing.
Standard test weights assume grain at standard moisture content (corn: 15.5%, soybeans: 13%, wheat: 13.5%). Grain delivered above standard moisture weighs more per bushel (because water is heavy) but is worth less because the buyer must dry it. A rough rule: each 1% moisture above standard reduces the effective test weight by about 1.1 lb/bu for corn. Elevators apply "shrink" factors to account for moisture weight loss and handling losses during drying.
A bushel is officially a volume measure (1.2445 cubic feet). Since grains have different densities, the same volume weighs different amounts. Standard test weights were established for trade consistency.
Test weight is the weight of grain that fills a standard Winchester bushel measure (1.2445 ft³). It's measured in lb/bu and indicates grain quality—higher test weight usually means better quality.
A standard semi trailer holds about 900-1,100 bushels of corn or soybeans, depending on trailer size and weight limits. That's roughly 25-30 short tons.
A short ton = 2,000 lbs (used in the US). A metric ton (tonne) = 2,204.62 lbs = 1,000 kg (used internationally). A long ton = 2,240 lbs (rarely used for grain).
$4.50/bu corn = $4.50 × (2000/56) = $160.71/short ton = $4.50 × (2204.62/56) = $177.10/metric ton.
CWT stands for hundredweight = 100 pounds. It's commonly used for rice and some specialty crops. 1 short ton = 20 CWT.