Tube Weight Calculator
Find the weight per foot, weight per meter and total weight of round, square and rectangular tube in steel, stainless, aluminum, copper, brass or titanium.
Tube size
Results
Square and rectangular tube is calculated with sharp corners, which reads 1 to 3% heavier than mill tables that allow for the corner radius. Actual weight also varies with mill tolerance on wall thickness.
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How tube weight is calculated
Tube weight is the cross-section area of the wall multiplied by the length and the density of the material.
- Round tube: area = π ÷ 4 × (OD² − ID²), where ID = OD − 2 × wall
- Square tube: area = width² − (width − 2 × wall)²
- Rectangular tube: area = width × height − (width − 2 × wall) × (height − 2 × wall)
- Pipe: calculated as round tube using the standard OD and wall for the size and schedule from ASME B36.10M/B36.19M; see the full pipe schedule chart
- Weight per foot (lb/ft): area (in²) × 12 × density (lb/in³)
Densities used
| Material | lb/in³ | g/cm³ |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon steel | 0.2836 | 7.85 |
| Stainless steel (304/316) | 0.289 | 8.00 |
| Aluminum (6061) | 0.0975 | 2.70 |
| Copper | 0.323 | 8.94 |
| Brass | 0.307 | 8.50 |
| Titanium (Grade 2) | 0.163 | 4.51 |
Planning a bend? Use the tube bending calculator for degree of bend, wall factor and cut length, or see our tube bending machines and tube cutting saws. For structural checks, use the section modulus calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you calculate the weight of steel tube per foot?
For round steel tube, weight per foot is about 10.68 × (OD − wall) × wall, with OD and wall in inches. For example, 2 in × 0.065 in wall steel tube weighs about 1.34 lb/ft.
How much lighter is aluminum tube than steel?
Aluminum weighs about one third as much as steel for the same size. A 2 in × 0.065 in aluminum tube weighs about 0.46 lb/ft, compared with 1.34 lb/ft in steel.
Why is my result slightly different from the mill's weight table?
Mill tables for square and rectangular tube allow for the rounded corners, and all tube is made to a tolerance on wall thickness. Expect the calculated weight to be within a few percent of the actual weight.
Does the calculator work in metric?
Yes. Switch the units to mm and meters and the calculator gives weight in kg per meter and the total in both kilograms and pounds.
Cutting or bending this tube in production?
Tube Form Solutions supplies CNC tube benders, cold saws and fiber laser tube cutters, with sales and service from Elkhart, Indiana.