The formula, your substituted values, and the evaluated result are shown below.
This is a planning estimate. Confirm dimensions, allowances, material specifications, applicable codes, and supplier requirements before purchasing or construction.
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How the Steel Weight Calculator works
Estimate steel weight from volume.
Before using the result
This is a planning estimate. Confirm dimensions, allowances, material specifications, applicable codes, and supplier requirements before purchasing or construction.
Steel has a density of about 7,850 kg/m³, so its weight is simply its volume multiplied by that figure:
Weight (kg) = volume (m³) × 7,850
The only input is the steel's volume in cubic metres. Work that out from the shape first, as in the examples below.
Worked examples
Steel plate, 2.4 m × 1.2 m × 6 mm thick 1. Volume: 2.4 × 1.2 × 0.006 = 0.01728 m³ 2. Weight: 0.01728 × 7,850 = 135.6 kg
Round bar, 20 mm diameter, 6 m long 1. Cross-section: π × 0.01² = 0.000314 m² 2. Volume: 0.000314 × 6 = 0.001885 m³ 3. Weight: 0.001885 × 7,850 = 14.8 kg
Quick volume formulas
Shape
Volume
Plate or flat bar
length × width × thickness
Round bar
π × (diameter ÷ 2)² × length
Tube / pipe
π × (outer² − inner²) ÷ 4 × length
Square hollow section
(outer² − inner²) × length
For standard structural sections like universal beams, channels and angles, use the manufacturer's mass per metre (kg/m) from its catalogue instead. It already accounts for the fillets and exact shape.
Useful rules of thumb
Steel plate weighs about 7.85 kg per m² for each millimetre of thickness. A 10 mm plate is about 78.5 kg/m².
Reinforcing bar mass per metre ≈ diameter² (in mm) ÷ 162. N12 bar is about 0.89 kg/m, and N16 about 1.58 kg/m.
Stainless steel is slightly denser (about 7,900–8,000 kg/m³). Aluminium is about a third of the weight, at 2,700 kg/m³.
Common mistakes
Entering dimensions in millimetres when working out the volume. Convert to metres first.
Using the outside size of a hollow section as if it were solid.
Ignoring galvanising, which adds a few per cent.
How much does a sheet of 3 mm steel weigh?
About 23.6 kg per m². A 2.4 × 1.2 m sheet weighs about 68 kg.
What is the density of steel?
About 7,850 kg/m³ for carbon steel. Stainless steels are around 7,900–8,000 kg/m³.
How do I calculate the weight of rebar?
Mass per metre ≈ diameter² ÷ 162 (diameter in mm), then multiply by the total length.