Calculator
Engineering
MathMaterial Weight Calculator
Free online material weight calculator for steel, aluminum, copper, and other metals. Calculate weight based on dimensions and density for plates, bars, tubes, and sheets.
What is Material Weight Calculation?
Material weight calculation determines the mass of metal or material based on its dimensions (length, width, thickness, diameter) and density. This is essential for structural engineering, manufacturing, shipping cost estimates, load calculations, and material ordering. Different materials have different densities - steel is about 7,850 kg/m³, aluminum is 2,700 kg/m³, and copper is 8,960 kg/m³. By calculating volume from dimensions and multiplying by material density, you can accurately determine weight for procurement, design, and logistics purposes.
Weight Calculation Formulas
1. Weight = Volume × Density
2. Plate/Sheet: Volume = Length × Width × Thickness
3. Round Bar: Volume = π × (Diameter/2)² × Length
4. Square Bar: Volume = Side² × Length
5. Tube: Volume = π × [(OD/2)² - (ID/2)²] × Length
Common Material Densities
Mild Steel: 7,850 kg/m³ (490 lb/ft³)
Stainless Steel: 8,000 kg/m³ (500 lb/ft³)
Aluminum: 2,700 kg/m³ (169 lb/ft³)
Copper: 8,960 kg/m³ (559 lb/ft³)
Brass: 8,500 kg/m³ (531 lb/ft³)
Titanium: 4,500 kg/m³ (281 lb/ft³)
Applications
- Manufacturing: Material ordering, cost estimation
- Structural engineering: Load calculations, beam design
- Shipping: Freight weight, logistics planning
- Metal fabrication: Stock management, cutting lists
- Construction: Steel reinforcement, structural members
- Machining: Material requirements, stock selection
- Procurement: Accurate ordering, inventory management
Tips for Material Weight Calculations
- Always verify material grade - density can vary by alloy composition
- Account for holes, cutouts, and machined features in complex parts
- Add 5-10% for material waste and cutting losses
- Consider handling and lifting equipment capacity for heavy parts
- Verify dimensional tolerances - they affect weight calculations
- Use actual measured dimensions when precision is critical
- Different steel grades have slightly different densities