Biomass Estimation Calculator

Work out biomass estimation instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Biomass Estimation Calculator

Converts harvested wet mass to dry biomass and scales it per unit area, with carbon at the conventional half of dry mass.

Formula

Biomass

Dry mass = wet mass x dry matter fraction; per hectare = dry mass / plot area x 10,000; carbon is about 50% of dry mass

Worked example

With the default values below, Biomass Estimation Calculator returns Dry biomass of 0.18000. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Plot areaaccepts 0.1–1,000,000 m2: 100 m2
Wet mass harvestedaccepts 0.001–1,000,000 kg: 45 kg
Dry matter contentaccepts 1–100: 40

Results

Dry biomass: 0.18000 kg/m2
Dry biomass: 1,800.00 kg/ha
Dry mass in the plot: 18.0000 kg
Carbon stock at 50% of dry mass: 900.00 kgC/ha

Step by step

1Values used
2Biomass
3Dry biomass= 0.18000 kg/m2
4Dry biomass= 1,800.00 kg/ha
5Dry mass in the plot= 18.0000 kg
6Carbon stock at 50% of dry mass= 900.00 kgC/ha

Assumptions and limits

The result is derived only from the 3 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
Figures are rounded for display to 5 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why measure dry mass?

Water content varies with weather and time of day, so wet mass is not comparable between samples.

Is 50 percent carbon accurate?

It is the standard default for woody biomass; herbaceous tissue is often nearer 45%.