Steel Weight Calculator

Calculate the weight of steel bars, plates, tubes and sections.

Please note: Material estimates for planning only. Always confirm quantities against your drawings, local building codes and supplier specifications before ordering. Structural work requires a qualified engineer.

What the Steel Weight Calculator does

Steel weight is cross-sectional area multiplied by length and density. Hollow sections subtract the bore from the outside area, which is why a tube weighs far less than a solid bar of the same diameter.

Formula

  • Round bar area = π × (D ÷ 2)²
  • Tube area = π × ((D ÷ 2)² − (D ÷ 2 − Wall)²)
  • Weight = Area × Length × Density × Pieces

Inputs explained

InputUnitRequiredNotes
Steel shapeone of 5 optionsYes
DiametermmIn some modesAccepts 0.1 or more. Shown Steel shape is Round bar, or Steel shape is Round tube or pipe.
Side lengthmmIn some modesAccepts 0.1 or more. Shown Steel shape is Square bar.
WidthmmIn some modesAccepts 0.1 or more. Shown Steel shape is Flat bar or plate, or Steel shape is Rectangular tube.
Height or thicknessmmIn some modesAccepts 0.1 or more. Shown Steel shape is Flat bar or plate, or Steel shape is Rectangular tube.
Wall thicknessmmIn some modesAccepts 0.1 or more. Shown Steel shape is Round tube or pipe, or Steel shape is Rectangular tube.
LengthnumberYesAccepts more than 0.
Length unitone of 6 optionsYes
Number of piecesnumberYesAccepts 1 or more.
Material densitykg/m³YesSteel 7850, aluminium 2700, stainless 8000. Accepts 100 or more.
Price per kgselected currencyOptionalAccepts 0 or more.
Currencyone of 10 optionsOptional

How to use it

  1. Choose Steel shape and Length unit.
  2. Enter Length, Number of pieces and Material density.
  3. Fill in the remaining inputs the form shows for your choice.
  4. Optionally add Price per kg.
  5. Select Calculate.

Worked example

A 20 mm round steel bar, 6 m long, one piece, 7,850 kg/m³.

Shape
Round bar
Diameter
20 mm
Length
6 m
Density
7850

Area 314.16 mm², volume 0.001885 m³ → 14.8 kg, or 2.466 kg per metre.

Frequently asked questions

Does this match the d²/162 rebar formula?

Yes. For steel at 7,850 kg/m³, π/4 × d² × 7850 simplifies to almost exactly d²/162 with d in millimetres.

What density should I use for other metals?

Aluminium 2,700 kg/m³, brass 8,500, copper 8,960, stainless steel about 8,000.

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