Soil Bulk Density Calculator: Definition, Formula & Calculation

Soil bulk density is defined as the weight of soil in a given volume, it is the oven dry weight of a unit volume of soil inclusive of pore spaces. The bulk density of soil is always smaller than its particle density. It varies indirectly with the total pore space present in the soil and helps in understanding the physical behavior of the soil.

To calculate the bulk density of a soil sample you can use this calculator:

Soil Bulk Density Calculator

Here are given steps that you should follow to use the bulk density calculator:

1. Enter Mass:
   • In the “Mass” input field, enter the mass of the soil sample. Select the appropriate unit from the dropdown (grams, kilograms, milligrams, pounds, etc.).

2. Enter Volume:
   • In the “Volume” input field, enter the volume of the soil sample. Select the appropriate unit from the dropdown (cubic centimeters, cubic meters, liters, milliliters, etc.).

3. Click “Calculate”:
   • Click on the “Calculate” button. The calculator will display the calculated bulk density in grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm³).

4. Copy Result:
   • If you want to copy the result for further use, then click on the “Copy Result” button. The result will be copied to your clipboard.

5. Reset Calculator (Optional):
   • If you want to perform another calculation, click on the “Reset” button.

You can either enter the required data from the given questions or you can take soil samples to calculate the bulk density of the soil.

Bulk Density Of Different Textural Classes

Factors Affecting Bulk Density

1. Pore Space: Soils with a high proportion of pore space to solids have lower bulk densities than those that are more compact and have less pore space.

2. Texture: Fine textured surface soils such as silt loams, clays and clay loams have lower bulk densities than sandy soils.

3. Organic Matter: The higher the organic matter content in the soil, the higher the pore space, that’s why shows the lower bulk density of soil and vice-versa.

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