Wall Panel Weight
& Crane Lift Estimator
Estimate what one framed and sheathed wall panel weighs from its size, stud depth and sheathing. Use it to start the crane and delivery conversation: the lift weight decides which crane and rigging you need. Pair it with the panel delivery load planner and send final drawings through our panel order page.
Actual depth: 3.5 in for a 2x4, 5.5 in for a 2x6, 7.25 in for a 2x8.
On centre, per your drawings.
Window and door area, to reduce sheathing weight.
Typical framing lumber is about 26 to 31 lb per cubic foot.
Per square foot of one face.
Wrap, insulation, windows. Per square foot of wall.
Estimate only. This is not a lift plan, rigging weight, or engineering. It ignores headers, king and jack studs, blocking, corners, fasteners and moisture content. A crane operator or rigger must confirm real weights before any lift. OG Prefab is a prefab wall panel, framing and foundation company serving builders, developers and homeowners directly. This tool does not produce a quote, and no pricing is implied.
Assumptions
- Studs are 1.5 in thick, with one bottom plate and a double top plate (three plates in all). Stud length is wall height minus the three plates.
- Stud count is one stud per spacing interval plus one, the same rule the wall panel take-off estimator uses.
- Lumber density defaults to 28 lb per cubic foot, inside the range published for spruce, pine and hem-fir framing lumber (about 26 to 31 lb per cubic foot). Wet lumber weighs more. Change it if your supplier gives you a figure.
- Sheathing defaults to 1.4 lb per sq ft on one face, close to APA's published 1.3 lb per sq ft for 7/16 in panels increased by 10% for OSB. Thicker sheathing, or sheathing on both faces, weighs more.
- Openings reduce sheathing and shop-fitted extras only. Framing around openings is left as entered, which roughly offsets the headers and jack studs the tool does not model.
- Use the extra weight field for anything the shop fits to the panel, such as wrap, insulation or windows. It is left at zero by default.
Sources
Related Guides
- Coordinating foundations and prefab panel delivery
- How prefab framing works: wall systems explained
- Who does what on a prefab framing job
Ready to move from estimate to scope? Send plans for a written panel quote or request a quote for framing or foundations.
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