Cattle Weight Calculator
Estimate a cow's live weight from heart girth and body length.
About the Cattle Weight Calculator
Measure the heart girth (just behind the front legs) and body length (point of shoulder to pin bone) in inches or centimetres. The calculator estimates live weight with Schaeffer's formula.
Schaeffer's formula estimates live weight in pounds as heart girth² × body length ÷ 300, with both measured in inches. It's widely used by farmers and vets for dosing and feeding when a scale isn't available. Accuracy drops for very young, very fat or pregnant animals.
The formula
Weight (lb) = girth² (in) × length (in) ÷ 300
Worked example
Heart girth 67 in, body length 55 in
- 67² × 55 ÷ 300
- = 823 lb (373 kg)
Questions people ask
How do I measure?
Stand the animal square on level ground and use a soft tape.
Is a weigh band accurate?
Breed-specific girth tapes are within about 5–10% for most adult cattle.