How Much Does a Cast Iron Tub Weigh? – Here’s What We Know

Cast iron is notoriously heavy and hard-wearing, but how much does a cast iron tub weigh? In this guide, we explore the weight and how it can vary.
By
Deborah Beams
Deborah Beams
Research Writer
Deborah is an incredibly talented journalist who's been working for numerous online magazines for over 8 years now. She's also our main research writer who can turn any bori read more
reviewed
Reviewed By
Charles Eggleston
Charles Eggleston
Expert Consultant
Charles's been a plumber his entire life. Thanks to his vast experience we can always rely on Charles' expert opinion when creating any of our articles. He's also a fantasti read more
Last updated: August 24, 2023
Bathroomer is reader-supported. We may earn a commission through products purchased using links on this page. Learn more about our process here

A cast iron tub is built to last. These are hefty, heavy-weight products, but how much does a cast iron tub weigh exactly? In this comprehensive guide, we explore the weight of cast iron tubs so that you know how much strain will be on your bathroom floor.

Cast iron tubs can also vary based on the design and size, so you might want to know how much does a cast iron clawfoot tub weigh as opposed to a built-in tub that is already in your bathroom.
How Much Does a Cast Iron Tub Weigh? - Here's What We Know

What factors affect the weight of your tub

The material the tub is made out of is undeniably the biggest factor, as well as the thickness of the tub. An acrylic tub can still do a good job, but it is much lighter than a cast iron tub. It’s not likely to be as hard-wearing and to last as long. The very best cast iron tubs can weigh 500lbs or even more, something to keep in mind when it comes to installation.

Size Trusted Source Standard Bathtub Sizes - Reference Guide to Common Tubs Learn about standard bathtub sizes for alcove, whirlpool, oval, and corner bathtubs to assist you when planning your bathroom remodel. www.thespruce.com is an obvious factor. Depending on the bathroom you have, you might need a huge tub or something that is relatively compact. If you want to know how much does a 52-inch cast iron tub weigh, the answer will undoubtedly be different when compared to tubs that are different sizes. 

Of course, the design itself makes a difference, such as whether the tub is free-standing or built into the bathroom.

Also, when the water is in the tub it makes a huge difference to the weight. Naturally, water is quite heavy, so you need to think about the capacity of the tub and the difference this makes to the weight, this will put extra pressure on foundations. Each gallon of water Trusted Source How Much Does a Gallon of Water Weigh? Find out how much a gallon of water weighs and why. A reference chart and conversion calculator are also available www.thecalculatorsite.com weighs around 8.34 lbs (depending on the temperature) so it is easy enough to work out roughly what this will add to the weight of your cast iron tub.

Types of bathtubs and their weight

How Much Does a Cast Iron Tub Weigh? - Here's What We Know
How much does a standard porcelain cast iron tub weigh? Well, the weight really depends on design.

Freestanding tubs tend to have a length between 60 and 75 inches, and their capacity is about 80 gallons. The weight will be around 400 lbs for the average size. On top of this, the weight of the water will be about 600 lbs. This means around 1000 lbs in total.

This model weighs 434 lbs in total, which is fairly standard for a heavy and hard-wearing tub.

If you are wondering how much does a cast iron clawfoot tub weigh, this is probably a close estimation.

Alcove cast iron bathtubs. These tubs are usually a little smaller, around 60 inches long and they have a 32-gallon capacity, this means that the overall weight with water is usually around 600 lbs. This alcove tub is 350 lbs without water.

Petite freestanding tubs are about 50 inches and good for small bathrooms. Because both the weight of the tub itself and the weight of the water inside are much smaller, it is likely that it will be around 500 lbs in total. A small iron bathtub may be great for an apartment. They’re still not lightweight, but they are more manageable, and put less stress on the foundations.

Final thoughts

As you can see, there is no one simple answer to “how much does a cast iron tub weigh?” but the answer is usually 250 lbs up to 500 lbs depending on the design. Of course, once you add water, the weight is even higher and you need to think about this with regards to the stress put on your home’s foundations. It’s not uncommon for a tub to get up to 1000 lbs in total weight when this has been taken into account, which is a lot of strain for your floor.

When you buy a cast iron tub, make sure that you check the weight and perform some simple calculations to see what you’ll be dealing with once the tub is full and ready for you to dive in.

References

1.
Standard Bathtub Sizes - Reference Guide to Common Tubs
Learn about standard bathtub sizes for alcove, whirlpool, oval, and corner bathtubs to assist you when planning your bathroom remodel.
2.
How Much Does a Gallon of Water Weigh?
Find out how much a gallon of water weighs and why. A reference chart and conversion calculator are also available
Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *