Commodity Weight & Unit Converter
Convert between mass and volume for oil, refined products, edible oils and grain. Density defaults follow API / FOSFA / USDA norms; adjust manually for actual test certificates.
What is a commodity weight converter?
Numerical Example: Crude Oil Volumetric Check
Volume is highly sensitive to temperature and specific gravity adjustments.
Conversion Formulas
Mass (MT) to Volume (CBM) = Mass (kg) / Density (kg/m3)Barrels (BBL) = CBM / 0.158987Bushels (BU) = Mass (kg) / Bushel Weight (kg per bushel)Moisture-adjusted Mass = Actual Mass x (1 - Actual Moisture %) / (1 - Contract Moisture %)| Commodity | Density (kg/m3) | Benchmark Spec | Reference Price (typical) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iron Ore Fines (62% Fe) | 2,500 | 62% Fe, 8% moisture | $85/DMTU (USGS) |
| Copper (refined) | 8,960 (typical) | 99.99% purity | $9500/MT (LME) |
| Crude Oil (Brent) | 835 | API 34, 0.37% sulfur | $82/bbl (EIA) |
| Gasoil / Diesel | 845 (typical) | EN590 10ppm sulfur | $550/MT (ICE) |
| Wheat | 780 (typical) | Bushel = 27.216 kg, 13% moisture basis | Varies by exchange (CBOT typical) |
Benchmark prices from 2026-08-16 data; densities not sourced from a live benchmark are labelled typical.
Related tools: Commodity Specs, Import Duty Calculator.
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Frequently asked questions
Why convert between units in commodity trading?
Different commodities and markets use different units. Crude oil is traded in barrels (BBL), grain in bushels (BU), refined products in MT. Contracts may specify one unit but invoices another. Accurate conversion is essential to avoid overpayment or delivery disputes.
What is API gravity and how does it affect conversion?
API gravity is the industry measure of crude oil density. Lower API = heavier (denser) oil. A barrel of 32° API crude weighs ~136 kg; a barrel of 50° API condensate weighs ~118 kg. Conversion factors differ by API gravity, so always confirm the crude grade before converting BBL to MT.
Why does moisture matter in grain unit conversion?
Grain is often quoted on a 'dry basis' (13% moisture standard) or 'as-is' basis (actual moisture). A bushel of corn at 15% moisture weighs more than at 13% moisture. Contracts must specify the moisture basis to avoid disputes over final payment.