Steel Weight Calculator
Calculate the weight of any steel shape for your fabrication, construction, or shipping needs. Choose from 11 shapes including sheet, round bar, square bar, hex bar, flat bar, round tube, square HSS, rectangular tube, angle, channel, and I-beam. Select the steel grade for precise density. Results show weight per piece, total weight, weight per foot, and material volume in both US and metric units.
Width for sheet/flat bar, outer diameter for round, side for square
Thickness of sheet, wall thickness for tube, web thickness for beam
Inner diameter for tube/pipe; width for flange on angle/channel
Flange width for angle/channel; height for rectangular tube
Flange thickness for I-beam (average)
Density: Mild steel = 7.85 g/cm³ = 0.2836 lb/in³
Volume Formulas:
Sheet: V = L × W × T
Round Bar: V = π × r² × L
Square Bar: V = W² × L
Flat Bar: V = W × T × L
Round Tube: V = π(R² − r²) × L
Square Tube: V = (W² − ID²) × L
Rect Tube: V = 2(W+H−2T)×T×L
Angle: V = (W×T + (F−T)×T) × L
Channel: V = (W×T + 2(F−T)×T) × L
I-Beam: V = 2(F×Ft) + (W−2Ft)×Tw × L
Conversion: 1 g/cm³ = 0.03613 lb/in³
1″ diameter A36 round bar, 36″ long.
Volume = π × 0.5² × 36 = 28.27 in³
Weight = 28.27 × 0.2836 = 8.02 lbs (3.64 kg)
Weight per foot = 8.02 / 3 = 2.67 lbs/ft
Example 2 — HSS Tube:
4″×4″ square tube, 3/16″ wall, 48″ long.
Volume = (4² − 3.625²) × 48 = 139.5 in³
Weight = 139.5 × 0.2836 = 39.56 lbs
Example 3 — W10×22 Beam:
10″ height × 8″ flange, 48″ length.
Weight per foot ≈ 22 lbs (by designation)
Total ≈ 22 × 4 = 88 lbs
How is steel weight calculated for different shapes?
Steel weight is always Volume × Density. Mild steel density = 7.85 g/cm³ = 0.2836 lb/in³. Volume formulas vary by shape: Sheet/Plate: L×W×T. Round bar: πr²L. Square bar: W²×L. Round tube: π(R²-r²)L. Angle: (W×T + (F-T)×T)×L. Channel: (W×T + 2(F-T)×T)×L. I-beam: 2(F×Ft×L) + (W-2Ft)×Tw×L. Always convert density from g/cm³ to lb/in³ (multiply by 0.03613) when working in inches.
What is the weight of common steel bar sizes?
Common mild steel round bar weights per foot: 1/4" diameter = 0.167 lbs, 1/2" = 0.668 lbs, 3/4" = 1.50 lbs, 1" = 2.67 lbs, 1.5" = 6.01 lbs, 2" = 10.68 lbs. For square bar: 1/2" = 0.85 lbs/ft, 1" = 3.40 lbs/ft, 1.5" = 7.65 lbs/ft. For flat bar 1×1/4" = 0.85 lbs/ft. These weights assume mild steel at 0.2836 lb/in³. Stainless steel is approximately 2.3% heavier for the same dimensions.
How do I estimate steel weight for structural beams?
Steel beams are typically specified by weight per foot (e.g., W10×22 = 22 lbs/ft). For estimation, add the weight of flanges and web: Total volume = 2(flange area × flange thickness) + (web height × web thickness). Multiply by density. For standard beam sizes, use published tables. A W8×10 beam weighs 10 lbs/ft, a W12×50 weighs 50 lbs/ft. The "nominal" depth (first number) is in inches, and the weight per foot (second number) is in lbs. Always verify with manufacturer data for critical applications.
What is the difference between A36, A992, and stainless steel density?
A36 (mild carbon steel) and A992 (structural steel) both have a density of 7.85 g/cm³ — they are essentially identical in weight. Stainless steels are denser: 304 at 8.03 g/cm³ (2.3% heavier) and 316 at 8.00 g/cm³ (1.9% heavier). Tool steels like D2 and O1 are 7.87 g/cm³. For a 10 lb A36 part, the same part in 304 stainless weighs 10.23 lbs, and in 316 weighs 10.19 lbs. Corten/weathering steel is slightly lighter at 7.70 g/cm³, making the same part 9.81 lbs.
🔗 Related Calculators
📐 Formula
Density: Mild steel = 7.85 g/cm³ = 0.2836 lb/in³
Volume Formulas:
Sheet: V = L × W × T
Round Bar: V = π × r² × L
Square Bar: V = W² × L
Flat Bar: V = W × T × L
Round Tube: V = π(R² − r²) × L
Square Tube: V = (W² − ID²) × L
Rect Tube: V = 2(W+H−2T)×T×L
Angle: V = (W×T + (F−T)×T) × L
Channel: V = (W×T + 2(F−T)×T) × L
I-Beam: V = 2(F×Ft) + (W−2Ft)×Tw × L
Conversion: 1 g/cm³ = 0.03613 lb/in³
📝 Example Calculation
1″ diameter A36 round bar, 36″ long.
Volume = π × 0.5² × 36 = 28.27 in³
Weight = 28.27 × 0.2836 = 8.02 lbs (3.64 kg)
Weight per foot = 8.02 / 3 = 2.67 lbs/ft
Example 2 — HSS Tube:
4″×4″ square tube, 3/16″ wall, 48″ long.
Volume = (4² − 3.625²) × 48 = 139.5 in³
Weight = 139.5 × 0.2836 = 39.56 lbs
Example 3 — W10×22 Beam:
10″ height × 8″ flange, 48″ length.
Weight per foot ≈ 22 lbs (by designation)
Total ≈ 22 × 4 = 88 lbs