Although it might not seem important at first glance, being able to judge how much something weighs can be an incredibly useful skill. Approximating what things weigh can help you estimate moving costs and can allow you to determine if you’ll need help with large objects.
If you’re interested in home fitness, being able to estimate how much something weighs can give you an idea of how much weight you’ve lost, how much muscle you’ve put on, or what household items can help you build strength.
When it comes to items that are about 100 pounds, there are a few common things that can help you get an idea of just how much weight that is.
#1. Two Large Bags of Dog Food
If you’ve ever bought dog food in bulk, you’ve probably purchased a 50-pound bag. Two of these bags, of course, weigh exactly 100 pounds, so by looking at two stacked bags, you can get a great idea of just how much space that weight takes up. Other bagged items, such as bulk coffee, sand, wood chips, or soil, also weigh 50 or 100 pounds, depending on the size of the bag.
In addition to dog food, many dog breeds, such as rottweilers, Labradors, or golden retrievers, weigh just about 100 pounds when they’re fully grown.
#2. A Digital Piano
Grand pianos are massive and can weigh about 1400 pounds, so many music enthusiasts prefer a smaller option, such as a keyboard or digital piano. While these items weigh substantially less, they can still be quite heavy.
A good digital piano, which often has weighted keys like a real piano in order to create a more natural playing experience, generally weighs about 100 pounds but can weigh up to 300 pounds depending on the exact size and materials. The stand of a keyboard or digital piano can also add a good amount of weight.
Read: 9 Common things that weigh 3 pounds
#3. A Punching Bag
Punching bags can be found in a variety of weights. When choosing a bag, people should select one that’s a little heavier than half their own weight. This means that a person that weighs 180 pounds or more will need a punching bag that weighs 100 pounds. Luckily, punching bags are often sold weighing exactly 100 pounds.
#4. Two Boxes Full of Books
Although the weight of books varies depending on their size and whether they’re hardcover or paperback, a book generally weighs between one and two pounds. A medium box, about 18 by 14 by 12 inches in size, full of books, usually weighs about 50 pounds, so stacking two medium boxes full of books together will give you about 100 pounds.
#5. A 60-Inch Flat Screen LED Television
Although flat-screen televisions often look lighter than older TVs, they can actually be quite a bit heavier. Smaller flat screen LCD televisions often weigh between 25 and 30 pounds, but thanks to the components in a larger LED TV, these TVs can weigh between 75 and 100 pounds.
A 60-inch LED flat-screen television, with a stand attached, generally weighs right around 100 pounds.
#6. 12 Gallons of Water
Anyone who’s ever had to replace the water jug in a water dispenser knows that liquids can be incredibly heavy. One gallon of water weighs 8.33 pounds, so 12 gallons of water weighs 99.96 pounds. The exact weight can vary a bit depending on what container the water is kept in, but this can give a very accurate idea of how much 100 pounds is.
#7. A Large Bookcase
Books are heavy, so bookcases need to be sturdy and solid in order to support their weight. Bookcases can be found in all shapes and sizes, made from a variety of materials, so not all of them weigh the same amount.
However, a bookcase that’s about 6 feet high, a foot deep, and 30 inches across, made from solid wood with three internal shelves, weighs about 94 pounds, depending on how thick the shelves are and whether there’s any decoration at the top or bottom.
Other bookcases of similar size made from metal or other heavy materials will also weigh right around 100 pounds.
#8. Three Cinderblocks
A single cinderblock, made of concrete and measuring about 8 by 8 by 16 inches, which is the standard size for a cinderblock, weighs between 30 and 35 pounds, depending on the exact makeup of the material. Three stacked cinderblocks may not look like they weigh too much, but in actuality, they’ll weigh between 90 and 105 pounds.
#9. Recliner Chair
Big, comfy recliners offer plenty of cushioning and comfort, but all that padding, plus a sturdy frame and the mechanisms that make the chair recline, can add up to some serious weight. Most recliner chairs weigh right around 105 pounds. Different chairs are, of course, made with different materials and mechanisms and can be found in different shapes, so the exact weight might vary slightly from chair to chair.