Estimate the weight of metal stock before you order, lift or ship it. Choose the metal and the shape — plate, round bar, square bar or tube — enter the dimensions and length, and get the total weight and weight per unit length.
Results use typical densities; real alloys vary by a few percent.
Formula
Weight = Cross-section area × Length × Density × Quantity
Plate: thickness × width. Round bar: π × d² ÷ 4. Tube: π × (OD² − ID²) ÷ 4, where ID = OD − 2 × wall.
Worked example
A steel plate 10 mm thick, 1,000 mm wide and 2 m long is 0.02 m³; at 7,850 kg/m³ it weighs 157 kg. A ½ × 48 × 96 in steel plate weighs about 653 lb.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cubic metre of steel weigh?
About 7,850 kg. A cubic inch of steel weighs about 0.284 lb.
Is aluminium really a third the weight of steel?
Yes — at about 2,700 kg/m³, aluminium weighs roughly 34% as much as the same volume of steel.
Last updated · Calculations checked by automated tests· Editorial policy