A market pig weighs about 270–290 pounds at slaughter, while an adult breeding sow or boar can range from roughly 300 to 700+ pounds. To estimate your pig’s weight without a livestock scale, you only need a tape measure: the calculator above multiplies heart girth squared by body length and divides by 400, the same method taught by U.S. agricultural extensions (USDA ERS; Oregon State University Extension).
The pig weight formula the calculator uses
The tool applies the standard tape-measure formula used by extension services and 4-H programs:
Live weight (lb) = (Heart Girth² × Body Length) ÷ 400
Both measurements are in inches. Heart girth is the circumference of the body directly behind the front legs; body length runs from between the ears, along the backbone, to the base of the tail. For a pig that estimates under 150 pounds, extensions add 7 pounds to correct the formula’s slight low bias in lighter animals; the calculator does this automatically (University of Arizona Cooperative Extension). Working in metric? The equivalent is heart girth² × length ÷ 14,400 in centimetres to get kilograms — the calculator converts for you when you switch units. This measuring method is popular because a pig’s girth and length together track its body volume closely, and swine carry fairly uniform density, so the estimate lands within a few percent for typical finishing pigs.
How much does a pig weigh? Average pig and hog weights
Pig weight varies enormously by age, breed, and purpose, so there is no single “average pig weight.” Useful reference points, drawn from USDA and extension data: a newborn piglet weighs about 3 pounds and reaches 12–14 pounds by weaning at around three weeks. Commercial hogs hit a market weight of 270–290 pounds (the national average live weight sits near 284 pounds) at roughly 22–26 weeks of age, gaining about 1.5–2.2 pounds per day through the finishing phase (USDA Economic Research Service). Mature breeding animals are far heavier — sows commonly run 300–500+ pounds and boars 350–700+ pounds, with the largest individuals topping 1,000 pounds.
Breed matters too. Large commercial breeds such as Yorkshire and Duroc reach adult weights of 700–880+ pounds, Berkshires around 500–600 pounds, and Hampshires 500–700 pounds. Pet and heritage types are much smaller: pot-bellied pigs settle at 100–200 pounds and KuneKunes at roughly 130–250+ pounds. “Teacup” or “micro” pigs are not a real breed — they are marketing terms for young or underfed potbellied pigs that grow into 100–200 pound adults. Among wild animals, feral hogs average about 175 pounds (females) to 200 pounds (males); a 300-pound feral hog is considered large (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension).
Pig weight chart by heart girth
This quick pig weight chart estimates live weight from heart girth alone, assuming body length roughly equal to girth (typical for finishing pigs). It is a field shortcut — for anything you are pricing or dosing, measure both girth and length and use the calculator above.
| Heart girth | Est. live weight |
|---|---|
| 22 in (56 cm) | ~34 lb (15 kg) |
| 26 in (66 cm) | ~51 lb (23 kg) |
| 30 in (76 cm) | ~75 lb (34 kg) |
| 34 in (86 cm) | ~105 lb (48 kg) |
| 38 in (97 cm) | ~144 lb (65 kg) |
| 42 in (107 cm) | ~185 lb (84 kg) |
| 46 in (117 cm) | ~243 lb (110 kg) |
| 50 in (127 cm) | ~313 lb (142 kg) |
How to use the pig weight calculator
- Stand the pig on level ground when it is calm — accuracy drops on uneven footing or with a stressed animal.
- Wrap a flexible tape snugly around the body right behind the front legs to get the heart girth. Take three readings and use the average.
- Measure body length from between the ears, along the backbone, to the base of the tail.
- Enter both numbers in the calculator (switch to cm/kg if you measured metric). The estimated live weight, hanging weight, and progress toward market weight update automatically.
BarnCalc · Pigs
Pig Weight Calculator
Estimate a pig or hog's live weight from a tape measure — no scale needed.
Estimated live weight
— Enter both measurements
Where this pig sits on the way to market weight.
Typical pig & hog weights by type
| Type | Typical adult weight |
|---|---|
| Newborn piglet | ~3 lb (1.4 kg) |
| Weaned pig (~3 wks) | 12–14 lb (5–6 kg) |
| Feeder pig | ~40 lb (18 kg) |
| Market / butcher hog | 270–290 lb (122–132 kg) |
| Breeding sow | 300–500+ lb (136–227 kg) |
| Breeding boar | 350–700+ lb (159–318 kg) |
| Yorkshire (adult) | Sow 570–660 / boar 770–840 lb |
| Duroc (adult) | Sow ~770 / boar ~880 lb |
| Berkshire (adult) | Sow ~500 / boar ~600 lb |
| Hampshire (adult) | 500–700 lb (227–318 kg) |
| Pot-bellied pig | 100–200 lb (45–91 kg) |
| KuneKune | 130–250+ lb (59–113 kg) |
| Feral / wild hog | Female ~175 / male ~200 lb |
How it works: Uses the agricultural-extension tape formula — live weight (lb) = heart girth² × body length ÷ 400, with girth and length in inches. Metric inputs are converted before calculating. For estimates under 150 lb, 7 lb is added, per the extension adjustment.
Disclaimer: This is a planning estimate, not a certified scale weight. A 1-inch girth error changes the result by roughly 10 lb, and very lean, very fat, pregnant, or off-feed animals vary more. Keep records and confirm with a livestock scale for sale or dosing decisions. Not veterinary advice.
Sources: Oregon State University Extension weight calculator; University of Arizona Cooperative Extension; USDA Economic Research Service (market weight); Texas A&M AgriLife Extension (feral hogs).
Frequently asked questions
How do you measure a pig’s weight without a scale?
Measure heart girth (behind the front legs) and body length (ears to tail base) in inches, then calculate girth² × length ÷ 400 for live weight in pounds. The calculator does the math and converts metric measurements automatically.
How accurate is the pig weight formula?
For typical finishing pigs it usually lands within a few percent. Because a 1-inch girth error shifts the result by about 10 pounds, average three girth readings. Very lean, very fat, pregnant, or off-feed pigs vary more, so use a scale for sale contracts or medication dosing.
What is the market weight for pigs?
U.S. commercial hogs are typically sold at 270–290 pounds live weight, reached at about 22–26 weeks of age. Some homesteaders butcher lighter, around 200–250 pounds, for leaner cuts (USDA ERS).
How much does a pig weigh at 6 months?
A commercially fed pig is usually near market weight — around 250–290 pounds — by six months. Slower-growing heritage and pasture breeds may still be well under that at the same age.
How much does a hog’s hanging weight differ from live weight?
Dressed (hanging) weight is roughly 70–72% of live weight for a skin-on, head-off hog, so a 285-pound pig hangs at about 205 pounds. Packaged, take-home meat is lower again, near 57% of live weight.
How fast do pigs gain weight?
Growing pigs gain about 1 pound per day in the nursery and 1.5–2.2 pounds per day during finishing, which is why re-measuring every couple of weeks is the best way to catch a slowing growth curve early.
Sources
- Oregon State University Extension — Animal weight calculator (heart girth formula): extension.oregonstate.edu
- University of Arizona Cooperative Extension — Estimating animal weight from body measurements (Backyards & Beyond): cales.arizona.edu
- USDA Economic Research Service — Hogs & Pork, Sector at a Glance (market weight, growth stages): ers.usda.gov
- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension — Feral hog facts (wild hog weights): agrilifeextension.tamu.edu
- Washington State University Extension — Pork carcass yield / dressing percentage: wsu.edu
Reviewed for accuracy against Oregon State University Extension, University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, and USDA Economic Research Service data. Last updated: July 13, 2026.
Related calculators
Explore more in the BarnCalc pig hub, or try these sibling tools:
- Pig Gestation Calculator — due date and farrowing timeline
- Goat Gestation Calculator.