How the Snow Volume Calculator Works
The Snow Volume Calculator divides snow mass by snow bulk density. The default 0.20 kg/L matches settled snow a few days after a fall.
Identify the snow type
Fresh powder, settled snow, wind-packed snow and wet spring snow differ by up to 10 times in density.
Measure density if needed
Push a tube of known volume into the snowpack, weigh the core and divide mass by volume.
Enter mass and density
Type the snow mass and the matching density.
Read the volume
The liters shown give the space the snow fills, from which you can find depth over an area.
Snow Volume Calculator Formula
The snow volume formula is Vsnow = m ÷ ρsnow. Snow water equivalent (SWE) links snow depth to meltwater depth.
- ρsnow
- Snow bulk density, kg/L
- SWE
- Depth of water after melting
Worked Examples
- Settled snow: 100 kg ÷ 0.20 = 500 L (0.5 m³).
- Snow water equivalent: 300 mm of 0.10 kg/L fresh snow melts into 30 mm of water.
- Roof load: 0.5 m of 0.30 kg/L snow puts 150 kg/m² (30.7 lb/ft²) on a roof.
Snow Volume Calculator Conversion Table
Fresh powder snow weighs 0.05–0.10 kg/L, while wet snow weighs 0.40–0.50 kg/L. The table lists 8 snow types with volume per 10 kg and depth per 10 mm of water.
| Snow Type | Density (kg/L) | Liters per 10 kg | Snow Depth per 10 mm Water | Load of 30 cm Depth (kg/m²) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wild powder | 0.05 | 200.0 | 200 mm | 15 |
| Fresh snow (cold) | 0.10 | 100.0 | 100 mm | 30 |
| Fresh snow (damp) | 0.15 | 66.7 | 67 mm | 45 |
| Settled snow | 0.20 | 50.0 | 50 mm | 60 |
| Old settled snow | 0.30 | 33.3 | 33 mm | 90 |
| Wind-packed snow | 0.35 | 28.6 | 29 mm | 105 |
| Wet spring snow | 0.45 | 22.2 | 22 mm | 135 |
| Firn | 0.60 | 16.7 | 17 mm | 180 |
What is a Snow Volume Calculator?
A Snow Volume Calculator is a tool that converts the mass of snow into the volume it occupies using measured snow density.
Snow is a porous mix of ice crystals and air. Fresh powder holds 90–95% air, so a liter of powder weighs as little as 50 g.
Snowpack densifies over time through settling, wind and melt-freeze cycles. Firn, old snow surviving a full year on a glacier, reaches 0.40–0.83 kg/L before turning into glacial ice.
What are the Uses of a Snow Volume Calculator?
There are 4 main uses of a Snow Volume Calculator.
Roof load checks
Building owners estimate snow load against design limits.
Snow removal
Contractors convert truckload weights into hauled volume.
Water supply forecasts
Hydrologists convert snowpack into future meltwater.
Ski resort snowmaking
Resorts estimate machine-made snow volume from water used.