Steel Weight Calculator
Calculate the weight of steel, stainless, aluminum, brass or copper stock by shape and density.
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What this tool does
Calculate the weight of steel, stainless, aluminum, brass or copper stock by shape and density. Densities are published engineering values (steel 490 lb/cu ft ≈ 7,850 kg/m³). Despite the name, the tool covers the common workshop metals; mild steel plate is the default.
How to use the Steel Weight Calculator
- Enter or select shape.
- Enter or select metal.
- Enter or select length in ft.
- Enter or select plate width / square bar side in in.
- Enter or select plate thickness / pipe wall in in.
- Enter or select round bar / pipe outside diameter in in.
- Read the calculated result; change any measurement to compare alternatives.
Formula
weight = volume × density; plate V = L×W×t; round V = π×(d/2)²×L; square V = side²×L; pipe V = π×((OD/2)² − (OD/2 − wall)²)×L
- shape
- Shape
- metal
- Metal
- length
- Length (ft, before metric conversion)
- width
- Plate width / square bar side (in, before metric conversion)
- thick
- Plate thickness / pipe wall (in, before metric conversion)
- diameter
- Round bar / pipe outside diameter (in, before metric conversion)
Densities are published engineering values (steel 490 lb/cu ft ≈ 7,850 kg/m³). Despite the name, the tool covers the common workshop metals; mild steel plate is the default.
Worked example
For steel weight calculator, the following measurements illustrate the exact method: Shape: plate; Metal: steel; Length: 4; Plate width / square bar side: 24; Plate thickness / pipe wall: 0.25; Round bar / pipe outside diameter: 2.
Inputs
- ShapePlate / sheet (rectangular)
- MetalSteel (490 lb/cu ft)
- Length4 ft
- Plate width / square bar side24 in
- Plate thickness / pipe wall0.25 in
- Round bar / pipe outside diameter2 in
Result
- Metal weight81.67 lb
- Volume0.17 cu ft
- Weight per foot20.42 lb
Metal densities used
| Metal | lb / cu ft | kg / m³ |
|---|---|---|
| Steel | 490 | 7850 |
| Stainless steel | 494 | 7913 |
| Aluminum | 168 | 2691 |
| Brass | 534 | 8553 |
| Copper | 559 | 8954 |
Results explained
- Metal weight
- Metal weight from the formula above, expressed in lb before metric conversion. Densities are published engineering values (steel 490 lb/cu ft ≈ 7,850 kg/m³). Despite the name, the tool covers the common workshop metals; mild steel plate is the default.
- Volume
- Volume from the formula above, expressed in cuft before metric conversion. Densities are published engineering values (steel 490 lb/cu ft ≈ 7,850 kg/m³). Despite the name, the tool covers the common workshop metals; mild steel plate is the default.
- Weight per foot
- Weight per foot from the formula above, expressed in lb before metric conversion. Densities are published engineering values (steel 490 lb/cu ft ≈ 7,850 kg/m³). Despite the name, the tool covers the common workshop metals; mild steel plate is the default.
Frequently asked questions
Volume × 490 lb/cu ft. A 4 × 2 ft plate ¼ in thick is 48 × 24 × 0.25 = 288 cu in = 0.167 cu ft, so about 82 lb.
About 490 lb per cubic foot (7,850 kg/m³) for carbon steel; stainless is a touch denser at ~494, aluminum far lighter at ~168.
Subtract the hollow core: π × (outer radius² − inner radius²) × length × density. Wall thickness sets the inner radius.
For the same volume, yes — 168 vs 490 lb/cu ft. But aluminum parts are often designed thicker, so real assemblies save less than the raw ratio.
Round bar mode matches rebar stock closely. Angles and channels need their cross-section area instead — multiply area (sq in) × length (in) × density/1728 the same way, or use the Rebar Calculator for grid layouts.