Livestock Weight Calculator by Heart Girth — Cattle, Buffalo, Goat, Sheep, Pig & Horse
Estimate the body weight of a cow, buffalo, goat, sheep, pig or horse from a tape measure — heart girth × heart girth × body length — in cm or inches, kg or lb. Add a mg/kg dose to get the volume to give.
Results are calculated in your browser. Always double-check before administering and use your clinical judgement.
How it is calculated
Weight (lb) = heart girth (in) × heart girth (in) × body length (in) ÷ divisor [1].
| Species | Divisor |
|---|---|
| Beef cattle | 300 |
| Sheep and goats | 300 |
| Pigs | 400 (add 7 lb if the pig weighs under 150 lb) |
| Horses — mature / yearling / weanling | 330 / 301 / 280 |
Heart girth is the circumference of the body around the heart, and in sheep and goats body length is measured from the point of the shoulder to the pin bone [1]. For sheep, compress the wool so the tape measures the body, not the wool [1].
In centimetres: inches = cm ÷ 2.54, and kg = lb × 0.4536 — the calculator converts both ways.
Worked example
Cow with a 72 in heart girth and 66 in body length: 72 × 72 × 66 ÷ 300 = 1140 lb ≈ 517 kg.
Frequently asked questions
How do you calculate cattle weight with a measuring tape?
Multiply heart girth × heart girth × body length (all in inches) and divide by 300 to get the weight in pounds [1].
What formula is used for goats and sheep?
The same heart girth × heart girth × body length ÷ 300 (in inches, result in pounds), with body length measured from the point of the shoulder to the pin bone [1].
How do you estimate the weight of a pig without a scale?
Heart girth × heart girth × body length ÷ 400 gives pounds; add 7 lb if the pig weighs under 150 lb [1].
More livestock & farm animals calculators
References
For veterinary professionals. Information supports — never replaces — clinical judgement; always check the current product label and local regulations.