Rough in barn capacity from length x width x stack height and a bale footprint preset. Leave ~2 ft airflow buffer at walls when you measure the usable stack box.
Use this when planning how much hay a shed can hold, comparing barn sizes, or checking whether this year's cutting fits under roof.
Real stacks need alleys, uneven walls, and settling — treat the result as an upper-bound estimate.
Count along each axis by floor division, then multiply. Round bales use diameter x diameter footprint and diameter as height per tier. Tons = count x lb/bale / 2000.
nL = floor(barn_L / bale_L)
nW = floor(barn_W / bale_W)
nH = floor(stack_H / bale_H)
bales = nL x nW x nH
tons ≈ bales x lb_per_bale / 2,000
Presets are labeled estimates — actual bale dimensions vary by baler and moisture. Round bales in pyramids may differ from a rectangular grid.
Usable 60 x 40 x 12 ft with small squares 3 x 1.5 x 1.17 ft: nL=20, nW=26, nH=10 → 5,200 bales. At 50 lb → 130 tons (optimistic pack).
Assumptions: axis-aligned grid stack; no center alley subtracted unless you reduced L/W.
Limits: fire codes, moisture, and unstable tall stacks may cap height below the number.
Responsibility: planning estimate — confirm with your stacking pattern and insurer guidance.
Airflow and access reduce mold risk and make restacking safer. Enter the usable stack box, not the slab edge.
Run separately for each size zone in the barn and add counts.
This grid uses diameter as both footprint and tier height; nested pyramids may fit differently.
Small square ~40-60 lb, large square often 800-1,200+, round 5x5 often 800-1,200+ — edit lb/bale to match your tickets.