---
title: "Metal Weight Calculator — Rod, Tube & Bar"
description: "Weight of steel, stainless, aluminum, copper & brass rods, tubes, bars and beams in kg/m. Density table included. Free."
image: "https://nestingcalc.com/og-default.png"
url: "https://nestingcalc.com/metal-weight-calculator/"
locale: "en"
---

# Metal Weight Calculator — Rod, Tube & Bar

Weight of steel, stainless, aluminum, copper & brass rods, tubes, bars and beams in kg/m. Density table included. Free.

Pick a profile, enter dimensions and length, and get the weight per meter and total weight for your stock list. Densities for common metals are built in; formulas follow standard section geometry.

Interactive calculator (open in browser): [https://nestingcalc.com/metal-weight-calculator/](https://nestingcalc.com/metal-weight-calculator/)

## Metal density table

| Material | Density (kg/m³) | g/cm³ | tables.lbft3 | lb/in³ |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Steel (7850 kg/m³) | 7,850 | 7.850 | 490.06 | 0.2836 |
| Stainless (8000) | 8,000 | 8.000 | 499.42 | 0.2890 |
| Aluminum (2700) | 2,700 | 2.700 | 168.56 | 0.0975 |
| Copper (8960) | 8,960 | 8.960 | 559.35 | 0.3237 |
| Brass (8500) | 8,500 | 8.500 | 530.64 | 0.3071 |
| Bronze (8800) | 8,800 | 8.800 | 549.37 | 0.3179 |
| Zinc (7135) | 7,135 | 7.135 | 445.42 | 0.2578 |
| Lead (11340) | 11,340 | 11.340 | 707.93 | 0.4097 |
| Titanium (4500) | 4,500 | 4.500 | 280.93 | 0.1626 |
| Cast iron (7200) | 7,200 | 7.200 | 449.48 | 0.2601 |

## Weight per unit volume

| Material | 1 m³ | 1 ft³ | 1 in³ |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Steel (7850 kg/m³) | 7,850 kg | 490.1 lb | 0.284 lb |
| Stainless (8000) | 8,000 kg | 499.4 lb | 0.289 lb |
| Aluminum (2700) | 2,700 kg | 168.6 lb | 0.098 lb |
| Copper (8960) | 8,960 kg | 559.4 lb | 0.324 lb |
| Brass (8500) | 8,500 kg | 530.6 lb | 0.307 lb |
| Bronze (8800) | 8,800 kg | 549.4 lb | 0.318 lb |
| Zinc (7135) | 7,135 kg | 445.4 lb | 0.258 lb |
| Lead (11340) | 11,340 kg | 707.9 lb | 0.410 lb |
| Titanium (4500) | 4,500 kg | 280.9 lb | 0.163 lb |
| Cast iron (7200) | 7,200 kg | 449.5 lb | 0.260 lb |

## Round bar weight per meter

| Diameter (mm) | Steel | Stainless | Aluminum | Copper | Brass |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ø8 | 0.39 | 0.40 | 0.136 | 0.45 | 0.43 |
| Ø10 | 0.62 | 0.63 | 0.212 | 0.70 | 0.67 |
| Ø12 | 0.89 | 0.90 | 0.305 | 1.01 | 0.96 |
| Ø16 | 1.58 | 1.61 | 0.543 | 1.80 | 1.71 |
| Ø20 | 2.47 | 2.51 | 0.848 | 2.81 | 2.67 |
| Ø25 | 3.85 | 3.93 | 1.325 | 4.40 | 4.17 |
| Ø30 | 5.55 | 5.65 | 1.909 | 6.33 | 6.01 |
| Ø40 | 9.86 | 10.05 | 3.393 | 11.26 | 10.68 |

kg/m · Weight per meter

→ [Sheet Metal Gauge Calculator](https://nestingcalc.com/sheet-metal-gauge/)

## Entering US sizes: pipe names are not dimensions

The calculator works in millimeters and meters. Pipe is where conversions go wrong: nominal pipe size (NPS) is a name, not a measurement. 1-1/2 in Schedule 40 pipe has a **1.900 in outside diameter** and a 0.145 in wall, so you enter OD 48.26 mm and wall 3.68 mm. Entering 38.1 mm (1.5 in) undercounts the weight by about 23%.

Tube and bar are simpler because the name is the size: 2 × 2 × 1/8 square tube is 50.8 mm wide with a 3.175 mm wall. For gauge walls, look up the decimal in the [Sheet metal gauge](https://nestingcalc.com/sheet-metal-gauge/) (16 ga = 0.065 in). US stick lengths convert as 20 ft = 6.096 m, 21 ft = 6.401 m and 24 ft = 7.315 m.

## Pounds per foot for common US shapes

Calculator results for 1 ft lengths, with steel at 7,850 kg/m³ and aluminum at 2,700 kg/m³. The Schedule 40 figures match the published pipe tables (1.13, 1.68, 2.72 and 3.65 lb/ft) to within rounding.

| Shape (inches) | Steel lb/ft | Steel kg/m | Aluminum lb/ft |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 3/4 NPS Sch 40 pipe | 1.13 | 1.69 | 0.39 |
| 1 NPS Sch 40 pipe | 1.68 | 2.50 | 0.58 |
| 1-1/2 NPS Sch 40 pipe | 2.72 | 4.05 | 0.94 |
| 2 NPS Sch 40 pipe | 3.66 | 5.44 | 1.26 |
| 1 × 1 × 0.065 sq tube | 0.83 | 1.23 | 0.28 |
| 2 × 2 × 1/8 sq tube | 3.19 | 4.75 | 1.10 |
| 2 × 4 × 1/8 rect tube | 4.89 | 7.28 | 1.68 |
| 3 × 3 × 1/4 sq tube | 9.36 | 13.93 | 3.22 |
| 1/4 × 2 flat bar | 1.70 | 2.53 | 0.58 |
| 3/8 × 3 flat bar | 3.83 | 5.70 | 1.32 |
| 1 in round bar | 2.67 | 3.98 | 0.92 |

Mental check: one square inch of steel section weighs 3.40 lb per foot.

## Worked example: a railing job, quoted by the hundredweight

Handrail order: 12 sticks of 1-1/2 in Sch 40 pipe × 21 ft, 8 sticks of 2 × 2 × 1/8 square tube × 24 ft, and 4 sticks of 1/4 × 2 flat bar × 20 ft, all mild steel.

-   Pipe: OD 48.26 mm, wall 3.683 mm, length 6.401 m → **57.1 lb** per stick, 685.6 lb for 12.
-   Square tube: 50.8 mm, wall 3.175 mm, length 7.315 m → **76.6 lb** per stick, 612.6 lb for 8.
-   Flat bar: 50.8 × 6.35 mm, length 6.096 m → **34.0 lb** per stick, 136.1 lb for 4.

Total: **650.6 kg = 1,434 lb**. Many US service centers price steel per hundredweight (cwt = 100 lb), so this order is 14.34 cwt. Multiply by the quoted cwt price, then add cut charges and delivery.

## How much galvanizing adds

Hot-dip galvanizing coats every surface the zinc can reach, including the inside of pipe and tube. Many galvanizers bill by weight. Estimate the added zinc as coated area × coating thickness × zinc density (7,135 kg/m³). An 85 µm coating (3.3 mils, ASTM A123 grade 85) weighs 0.606 kg/m², or **0.124 lb/ft²**.

| Shape | Coated area per ft | Zinc added | Weight gain |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1-1/2 Sch 40 pipe (in + out) | 0.92 ft² | 0.114 lb/ft | +4.2% |
| 2 × 2 × 1/8 sq tube (in + out) | 1.25 ft² | 0.155 lb/ft | +4.9% |
| 1/4 × 2 flat bar | 0.375 ft² | 0.047 lb/ft | +2.7% |

Thin-wall sections gain the most as a percentage. Ask whether the bill uses black (uncoated) or shipped weight.

## Common mistakes when buying metal by weight

1.  **Entering the NPS as the OD.** The error grows on small sizes.
2.  **Expecting the formula to match a tube catalog exactly.** The calculator assumes sharp corners. Real tube has rounded corners, so published weights for square and rectangular tube usually run a few percent lower.
3.  **Comparing a per-stick price with a per-pound price without converting.** Divide the stick price by the stick weight before you compare suppliers.
4.  **Leaving out drops.** You pay for the full stick. Plan the cuts in the [Linear cutting calculator](https://nestingcalc.com/linear-cutting-calculator/) and order whole sticks.
5.  **Treating all aluminum alloys as identical.** The calculator's 2,700 kg/m³ suits 6061 and most extrusion alloys. Some high-strength grades are denser, so check the mill certificate for critical totals.

## From takeoff to unloading

1.  Take off every shape as size × length × count, in actual dimensions.
2.  Run each line through the calculator, then add 3–5% for drops if you are not ordering whole sticks.
3.  Convert the total to cwt for pricing and to pounds for freight.
4.  Check handling equipment before delivery.

Forklift capacity is usually rated at a 24 in load center. A bundle of 24 ft sticks picked off-center pushes the center of gravity out and reduces the safe capacity. Lift long bundles at their balance point. On the truck side, US federal rules cap gross vehicle weight at 80,000 lb, so a heavy plate-and-beam order can reach the weight limit well before the deck is full. For full section tables, see [Steel Weight Table: kg/m for Round Bar, Tube, Flat Bar and Pipe](https://nestingcalc.com/guides/steel-weight-table/).

## FAQ

How is pipe weight calculated?

The calculator computes the cross-section area of the profile (for a round pipe: π/4 × (OD² − ID²)), multiplies by length to get volume, then by material density. The result matches standard metal catalogs within rounding.

Why does my catalog show a slightly different weight?

Mills apply manufacturing tolerances and corner radii, so catalog values can differ by 1–3% from the theoretical formula. For billing or structural checks, use the mill certificate values.

Can I calculate beams and angles?

Yes — the beam profile is a simplified I/H approximation from overall depth, flange width and average thickness. For precise beam data, cross-check with a section table for your specific profile.

How much does a brass rod weigh per meter?

A round brass rod weighs ≈ 6.0 kg/m at Ø30 mm (density 8,500 kg/m³). Select "round bar" with your diameter for any size — copper is heavier (8,960), aluminum much lighter (2,700 kg/m³).

How much does a cubic foot of steel weigh?

About 490 pounds (222 kg). Steel's density is 7850 kg/m³ = 490 lb/ft³, so one cubic inch weighs 0.284 lb. Stainless is slightly heavier (500 lb/ft³), aluminum much lighter (169 lb/ft³).

What is the density of common metals?

Steel 7850 kg/m³, stainless 8000, copper 8960, brass 8500, bronze 8800, aluminum 2700, zinc 7135, cast iron 7200, titanium 4500 and lead 11340 — all listed in the table above in kg/m³, g/cm³, lb/ft³ and lb/in³.

How do I convert metal weight between kg and lb?

1 kg = 2.2046 lb. The calculator always shows kilograms; multiply by 2.2046 for pounds and divide the other way. For volume-based estimates, remember 1 cubic foot of steel ≈ 222 kg.

Which metal is heaviest for the same profile?

Lead is by far the heaviest common metal (11340 kg/m³ — 1.44× steel), followed by copper (8960) and bronze (8800). Titanium (4500) is only 57% the weight of steel, and aluminum (2700) about a third — the same tube weighs less than half in titanium.

How much does a 6 m steel bar weigh?

A 20 mm round bar: π/4 × (0.02 m)² × 6 m × 7,850 kg/m³ ≈ 14.8 kg. The same bar in 16 mm weighs about 9.5 kg — diameter dominates because the area grows with the square.

How do I calculate plate weight?

Length × width × thickness × density: a 2 m × 1 m × 3 mm steel plate is 2 × 1 × 0.003 × 7,850 ≈ 47.1 kg. Keep units consistent — metres for dimensions, kg/m³ for density — and the result is kilograms.

Does galvanizing change the weight?

Barely: a standard Z275 coating adds about 0.275 kg per square metre across both faces. On a 3 mm sheet that is under 4% — worth knowing for a full truckload, noise in a single part.

Why is my aluminium profile so much lighter than steel?

Aluminium density is 2.70 t/m³ against 7.85 for steel — the same profile weighs about a third. That is why aluminium wins weight-sensitive frames, and steel wins when stiffness per euro matters more than kilograms.

## Related calculators

-   [Sheet Metal Gauge Calculator](https://nestingcalc.com/sheet-metal-gauge/)

    Convert gauge to mm/inch and get sheet weight — steel, stainless, aluminum, galvanized. Free.

-   [Rebar Calculator](https://nestingcalc.com/rebar-calculator/)

    Rebar weight, length and bars-per-tonne takeoff for any size list — free.

-   [Feeds & Speeds Calculator](https://nestingcalc.com/feeds-speeds-calculator/)

    Spindle RPM and feed rate for milling — metric and imperial, free.

-   [Linear Cutting Calculator](https://nestingcalc.com/linear-cutting-calculator/)

    Optimize cuts for bars, pipes and profiles — minimize waste, free.

## Related guides

-   [Metal Weight Formula: Steel, Aluminum, Stainless by Profile](https://nestingcalc.com/guides/metal-weight-formula/)

    Weight drives shipping cost, crane planning and material budgets. One formula covers every metal profile — you only need the density.

-   [Sheet Metal Gauge Chart: Steel, Galvanized, Stainless, Aluminum](https://nestingcalc.com/guides/sheet-metal-gauge-chart/)

    mm and inch thickness for every gauge number, why aluminum is not steel, and how to stop ordering the wrong sheet.

-   [Steel Weight Table: kg/m for Round Bar, Tube, Flat Bar and Pipe](https://nestingcalc.com/guides/steel-weight-table/)

    Weight per metre of steel round bar 6-100 mm, square hollow sections, flat bar and pipe - with the formula kg/m = 0.00785 x area in mm2 and worked examples.

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