How to weigh a pumpkin

How to weigh a pumpkin

To calculate your pumpkin weight, you need to obtain three measurements. If you have a large pumpkin, get a measuring tape longer than 100 inches. If you only have a metal measuring tape, be sure to get some string to be used as your measuring tape. Now let’s begin. Be sure to use the graphics below as a reference.

Measure the circumference of the fruit parallel to the ground at stem height. This is measurement number 1.

Now place your tape at the plant stem to the ground and to the blossom end to the ground. What is the distance from the ground to the ground? This is measurement number 2.

Now place your tape perpendicular to the plant stem at the widest portion of the pumpkin. Place the tape at the ground on both sides at this wide spot. Is it perpendicular to the plant stem? Now measure the distance from ground contact to ground contact. This is measurement number 3.

Add all three measurements and find the data in the inches column below and there is your weight.

If you would like to see your total weight using mathematical programs, select one of these two links.

Total measurement. This is a rough weight Offical details on how to measure

This is the formula

Weight_lbs=(((14.2/(1+7.3*2^(-(OTT_inches/96)))^3+((OTT_inches)/51^2.91)-8)*0.993

In searching the internet, someone has created a nice webpage where you can add your measurements and see your weight.  Giant Pumpkin Weight Estimator

2017 Giant Pumpkin Weight Estimation Charts

Proivided are two metric and imperial charts in PDF.  Press the links below to display each chart to enlarge them if needed.

2017 Giant Pumpkin Weight Estimation Chart Pounds
2017 Giant Pumpkin Weight Estimation Chart Kilos

Please note:

These measurements are only for the Atlantic Giant variety of pumpkin. These weight estimation charts are intended as a rough guide only.  This is the best and current method for estimating a pumpkin’s weight, but will not replace actually weighing your pumpkin on a proper set of calibrated scales.

Below is are archive weight estimation chart that have been used over the years.  Please use the 2017 Giant Pumpkin Weight Estimation charts above.

The Circumference Measurement should be taken where you have the LARGEST Circumference. It WILL NOT always be parallel to the ground. It may be above or below the stem and above or below the blossom point. On most large pumpkins the LARGEST Circumference IS NOT at the stem/blossom level. The LARGEST Circumference is necessary to obtain the most accurate Weight Estimate as most of the Circumference measurements used to obtain the Weight Equations were LARGEST Circumference

Updated measuring process and notes:

The last update was dated January 2003 based on 800 measurements from 2001 and 2002. I compared data for 1203 fruit grown in 2003 and 2004 with the 2001 and 2002 data. Fruit grown the last 2 years are heavier for the same size by approximately 3%. Therefore the equations used for the tables dated January 2005 are primarily based on 1203 fruit grown in 2003 and 2004. Most of the data was provided from the AGGC file by Mike Nepereny. The tables provide estimates for fruit down to 41 inch Circumference (approx. 30 pounds) and 91 inches Over-the-Top (approx. 21 pounds).

David Martin from Little Britain, Ontario used Multiple Regression Analysis to obtain equations that best fit the data I provided. He prepared the Weight Tables from those equations.

The OVER-THE-TOP method (TABLE 1) provides the BEST estimates but only about 76% will be within plus or minus 10%. This requires adding Circumference to the two Over-the-Top measurements taken from ground-to-ground from side-to-side and end-to-end.

TABLE 2 uses only the CIRCUMFERENCE measurement. It DOES NOT provide good estimates for unusually high, flat, long or short fruit. About 54% of the estimates will be within plus or minus 10%. It is useful to estimate day-to-day increases.

The Circumference measurement should be the LARGEST circumference taken approximately parallel to the ground. At weigh-offs I have found some growers are not measuring the largest Circumference which contributes to the variability. The OVER-TOP measurements from ground-to-ground in both directions must be over the highest point of the fruit. These must be taken straight down from the edges of the fruit.

EXAMPLE: Circumference = 175 inches (Table 2 estimate = 1185 pounds)
Side-to-side = 103 inches
End-to-end = 100 inches
Total = 378 inches (Table 1 estimate = 1130 pounds)
The actual weight was 1121 pounds.

Due to considerable variability in the “wall thickness” from fruit-to-fruit, neither method provides very reliable estimates but at present, we don’t have a better method. Here are the percents of your estimates that you can expect to be within the accuracy ranges shown (based on fruit grown in 2003 and 2004):

NEW Tables compared to January 2003 Tables:
The new tables should provide better estimates as AVERAGE fruit weight for the same measurement increased by approximately 3% compared to 2001 and 2002 weights. The Circumference table should be much better at the higher weights as the previous table over-estimated above approximately 170-inch Circumference.

I will provide David Martin’s equations (4 terms) to anyone who wants to use them in a computer program. Write me at 1925 Middle Road, Rush, NY 14543-9732.

I have provided Tables to estimate weights since 1988. They were updated every 2 to 3 years. This is my LAST update. For the last 3 updates, I thank David Martin for using the data I provided to obtain the equations and preparing the Tables. Thank you to all the growers who provided me with measurements since 1987 and to Mike Nepereny for providing data from his AGGC file the last 4 years.

NOTE: Several people have attempted to obtain Weight Estimating equations using the RAW data available. All, that I know of, obtained equations that over-estimated below approximately 750 pounds and under-estimated above that due to a BIAS in the data. If anyone is interested, I will explain how I worked around the bias.
Leonard B. Stellpflug

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