Steel Weight Calculator
Calculate the weight of steel shapes including plate, bar, tube, pipe, angle, channel, and wide flange beams. See also our Metal Weight Calculator, Aluminum Weight Calculator, and Pipe Weight Calculator.
Steel Shape & Grade
Dimensions
How to Use the Steel Weight Calculator
Select the steel shape from the dropdown (plate, round bar, square bar, flat bar, tube, pipe, angle, channel, or wide flange), choose the steel grade, enter the total length in inches, and provide the cross-section dimensions. The calculator computes weight per linear foot, total weight, and cross-sectional area. Use this for material ordering, shipping estimates, and structural load calculations.
Formula
Weight = Cross-Section Area × Length × Density
Steel Density (A36/A992) = 0.2836 lbs/in³
Stainless Steel Density = 0.289 lbs/in³
Plate Area = Width × Thickness
Round Bar Area = π × (D/2)²
Tube Area = π × ((OD/2)² - ((OD-2t)/2)²)
Example Calculation
Steel Flat Bar: 6" × 0.5" × 10 ft (120")
Area = 6 × 0.5 = 3.0 in²
Weight/ft = 3.0 × 0.2836 × 12 = 10.21 lbs/ft
Total Weight = 3.0 × 0.2836 × 120 = 102.1 lbs
Reference Table — Common Steel Shapes and Weights
| Shape | Size | Weight (lbs/ft) | Area (in²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round Bar | 1" dia | 2.67 | 0.785 |
| Round Bar | 2" dia | 10.68 | 3.142 |
| Square Bar | 1" | 3.40 | 1.000 |
| Flat Bar | 2" × 1/4" | 1.70 | 0.500 |
| Flat Bar | 4" × 1/2" | 6.80 | 2.000 |
| Angle | L2×2×1/4 | 3.19 | 0.938 |
| Angle | L3×3×3/8 | 7.20 | 2.110 |
| Pipe | 1" Sch 40 | 1.68 | 0.494 |
| Pipe | 2" Sch 40 | 3.65 | 1.075 |
| W-Shape | W8×18 | 18.0 | 5.26 |
| W-Shape | W10×22 | 22.0 | 6.49 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the weight of steel per cubic inch?
Carbon steel (A36, A992) weighs 0.2836 lbs per cubic inch, which equals 490 lbs per cubic foot or 7,850 kg per cubic meter. This density is consistent across most structural steel grades and is the standard value used in engineering calculations.
What is the difference between A36 and A992 steel?
A36 is a general-purpose structural steel with 36 ksi yield strength, used for plates, bars, and angles. A992 has 50 ksi yield strength and is the standard for wide-flange (W-shape) beams. Both have the same density (0.2836 lbs/in³) but A992 is stronger per pound.
How much does a 4×8 steel plate weigh?
A 4 ft × 8 ft steel plate weighs 40.8 lbs per 1/16" of thickness. Common weights: 1/8" thick = 81.6 lbs, 1/4" thick = 163.2 lbs, 3/8" thick = 244.8 lbs, 1/2" thick = 326.4 lbs, 1" thick = 652.8 lbs.
What does "schedule" mean for steel pipe?
Schedule refers to the wall thickness of pipe. Higher schedule numbers mean thicker walls. Schedule 40 is standard for most applications, Schedule 80 is for high-pressure service. The OD stays the same for a given pipe size — only the wall thickness (and thus ID) changes with schedule.
How do I calculate the weight of a steel beam?
Steel beams are designated by their weight per foot (e.g., W10×22 weighs 22 lbs/ft). Multiply the weight per foot by the beam length to get total weight. A W10×22 beam that is 20 feet long weighs 22 × 20 = 440 lbs.
Is stainless steel heavier than carbon steel?
Yes, slightly. Stainless steel 304/316 has a density of 0.289 lbs/in³ compared to carbon steel's 0.2836 lbs/in³ — about 2% heavier. This small difference is usually negligible for weight calculations but matters for precision applications.