Steel Weight Calculator
Works out the weight of steel — and a few other metals — from the shape and dimensions. Useful for quotes, delivery planning and knowing whether a piece can be lifted by hand.
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The formula
weight = cross-sectional area × length × density steel 7,850 kg/m³; pipe area = π⁄4 × (OD² − ID²)
Every shape reduces to a cross-section times a length. Pipe and tube subtract the hollow inside, which is why a thin-wall tube of the same outside size weighs a fraction of the solid bar.
What to watch out for
Where the figure matters:
- Quotes. Structural steel and plate are priced by weight; getting the tonnage right is getting the price right.
- Handling. 25 kg is the usual single-person limit. A 1 × 0.5 m plate of 10 mm steel is 39 kg before anyone has touched it.
- Transport and lifting. Crane and vehicle limits are by weight, not size.
Density varies a little between grades — carbon steel is 7,850 kg/m³ and stainless about 8,000 — but far less than the uncertainty in measuring a real piece.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate the weight of steel plate?
Length × width × thickness × 7,850 kg/m³, all in metres. A 1 × 0.5 m plate 10 mm thick is 0.005 m³, which is 39.25 kg. Or use 7.85 kg per square metre per millimetre of thickness.
How much does steel pipe weigh per metre?
π⁄4 × (OD² − ID²) × 7,850, in metres. A 50 mm pipe with a 10 mm wall has a 30 mm bore, so about 9.87 kg/m. The same pipe with a 3 mm wall is 3.48 kg/m.
What is the density of steel?
About 7,850 kg/m³ for carbon steel, 8,000 for stainless. Aluminium is 2,700 — a third of the weight for the same size, which is why it is used wherever weight matters more than stiffness.