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Steel Weight Calculator

Standard Carbon Steel Density = 7850 kg/m³ (0.284 lb/in³)

Example: A 1-meter length of 10mm round steel bar weighs approximately 0.62 kg.

Estimate steel weights by shape, dimensions, and length. Supports plates, solid bars, square tubes, and pipes.

Parameters

Steel Weight

Total Weight 0.62 kg (1.36 lbs)
Weight Per Meter 0.62 kg/m
Material Densities: Typical structural carbon steel is modeled at 7,850 kg/m³. Aluminum profiles are roughly 1/3 the weight.

Standard Metal Densities

Metal Material Density Notes
Mild Steel / Carbon Steel 7850 kg/m³ Used for standard calculations.
Stainless Steel (304) 7930 kg/m³ Used for standard calculations.
Stainless Steel (316) 7990 kg/m³ Used for standard calculations.
Aluminum (6061) 2700 kg/m³ Used for standard calculations.
Copper (Pure) 8960 kg/m³ Used for standard calculations.
Brass (70/30) 8520 kg/m³ Used for standard calculations.
Cast Iron 7200 kg/m³ Used for standard calculations.

Steel Weight Formula for Common Profiles

All steel weight calculations follow the same principle: cross-sectional area × length × density. Density for carbon steel is 7,850 kg/m³. Since most dimensions are given in millimeters, the cross-section area in mm² needs to be converted to m² by dividing by 1,000,000 before multiplying by the length in meters.

Round Bar: kg/m = D² × 0.00617
Plate: kg/m = W × T × 0.00785
Pipe: kg/m = (OD − WT) × WT × 0.02466
Square Tube: kg/m = (S² − (S−2T)²) × 0.00785

Why Steel Weight Matters in Engineering

Accurate steel weight calculations are critical for: structural load analysis (dead load calculations), freight shipping cost estimation (LTL and FTL quotes are weight-based), crane and hoist capacity planning, and bill of materials (BOM) costing for fabrication projects.

Structural engineers use weight tables from standards like AISC (American) and BS/EN (European) for standard hot-rolled sections (I-beams, channels, angles). This calculator handles custom profiles and non-standard dimensions where published tables don't apply.

Frequently Asked Questions — Steel Weight

What is the density of steel?
Standard carbon/mild steel has a density of 7,850 kg/m³ (7.85 g/cm³ or 0.284 lb/in³). Stainless steel 304 is slightly denser at 7,930 kg/m³. Aluminum is about 2,700 kg/m³ — roughly 1/3 the weight of steel.
How do you calculate steel weight per meter for a round bar?
Weight per meter (kg/m) = π/4 × D² × ρ / 1,000,000, where D is diameter in mm and ρ is density in kg/m³. Simplified formula: kg/m = D² × 0.00617 for carbon steel. Example: 20mm round bar = 20² × 0.00617 = 2.47 kg/m.
How much does a steel plate weigh?
Steel plate weight (kg) = Length (m) × Width (m) × Thickness (mm) × 7.85. Example: A 2m × 1m × 10mm steel plate = 2 × 1 × 0.01 × 7850 = 157 kg.
How do you calculate the weight of a steel pipe?
Pipe weight per meter (kg/m) = (OD − wall thickness) × wall thickness × 0.02466 × density_factor. For carbon steel: kg/m = (OD−WT) × WT × 0.02466. Example: 50mm OD × 3mm wall = (50−3) × 3 × 0.02466 ≈ 3.48 kg/m.
What is the difference between nominal and actual steel pipe sizes?
Nominal pipe size (NPS) is a trade designation — it does not directly correspond to actual outside diameter. For example, 1-inch NPS pipe has an actual OD of 33.4mm, not 25.4mm. Always use the actual OD and wall thickness when calculating pipe weight for engineering purposes.

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