When working with steel plates, knowing their weight is essential for transportation, fabrication, and cost estimation. Whether you’re ordering materials, loading them for shipment, or planning a structural design, calculating steel plate weight accurately ensures efficiency and safety. This article explains how to calculate the weight of steel plates using simple formulas, highlights the role of unit weight and density, and explores common tools and methods to improve your accuracy.
What Factors Affect The Accuracy
To calculate the weight of a steel plate, you must first know the plate’s dimensions, such as length (L), width (W), and thickness (T). Multiplying these three together will give you the volume, which is cubic feet if calculated in the imperial system, or cubic meters if calculated in the metric system.
But be aware that whether you use the standard steel metal calculator on the Internet or calculate it yourself using these relevant data, they can only be regarded as estimates. Because they are calculated based on nominal dimensions and standardized density, and in the actual manufacturing process, due to tolerances and composition changes, the actual metal weight and the estimated weight may be quite different.
The Unit Weight Of Steel
The unit weight of any substance reflects the ratio of its mass or weight per unit volume, and the units are pounds/foot, grams/cm, kilograms/cm or kilograms/meter. This value will change depending on the composition and properties of the material, and can reflect the weight of the material.
The unit weight of steel is usually referred to as the weight-to-volume ratio, and kilograms/cubic meter (kg/m³) is often used to express the steel weight calculation formula. Take mild steel as an example. Its unit weight is about 7850 kg/m³, 7.85 g/cm³ or 78.5 kN/m³ or 489.84 lb/ft³. The weight of steel can be expressed in kilograms, tons or pounds. There are also tools such as steel unit weight calculator and stainless steel weight calculator, which can determine the weight of steel and stainless steel parts based on size and material properties.
Calculating The Weight Of Carbon Steel Plate
To calculate the weight of carbon steel plates, you need to know their thickness, width, length, and quantity. The typical density of carbon steel plates is 0.284 pounds per cubic inch (490 pounds per cubic foot) in the imperial system and 7.85 tons per cubic meter in the metric system. The width, length, and thickness of carbon steel plates of different grades vary greatly.
For example, the steel plates rolled by the rolling mills supplied by Hongfang Metal Company usually have widths of 48 inches, 60 inches, 72 inches, 84 inches, and 96 inches, and lengths ranging from 240 inches to 480 inches (if cut to length, rolled or hot-rolled, the length can be provided at will), and the thickness also varies greatly depending on the grade. For example, the thickness of A36 ranges from 3/16 inches to 12 inches.
Weight Of Steel Calculator Chart
If you want to calculate the weight of a single A36 mill steel plate that is 60 inches wide, 120 inches long, and 0.5 inches thick, you can use the formula:：
- Width * Length * Thickness * Density = Weight
60 in × 120 in × 0.5 in × 0.284 lb/in³ = 1,022.4 lb
Other Ways To Calculate The Weight Of Steel Plate
Online steel plate weight calculator
Nowadays, many websites provide online steel plate weight calculators. As long as you enter the length, width, and thickness of the steel plate, you can quickly and accurately calculate the weight of the steel plate. Moreover, some steel manufacturers also provide such calculators, and the calculated values may be more accurate.
Steel plate weight table
The steel plate weight table is a very convenient way to calculate the weight of steel plates. It is generally provided by steel manufacturers. The table lists the weights of steel plates of various specifications and materials. As long as you follow the specifications and materials of the steel plates, you can quickly find the corresponding weight. The method of using this table is quite simple, and there is no need to perform calculations, but you must ensure that the table used matches the steel plate specifications completely.
| Size | Kg/m | Kg/Feet |
| 6 mm | 0.222 kg | 0.67 kg |
| 8 mm | 0.395 kg | 0.120 kg |
| 10 mm | 0.617 kg | 0.188 kg |
| 12 mm | 0.89 kg | 0.270 kg |
| 16 mm | 1.58 kg | 0.480 kg |
| 20 mm | 2.47 kg | 0.751 kg |
| 25 mm | 3.86 kg | 1.174 kg |
| 32 mm | 6.32 kg | 1.925 kg |
How to Calculate the Weight of Stainless Steel Bars and Shapes
The weight of stainless steel bars—whether round, square, flat, or custom-shaped—depends on the size, cross-sectional shape, and the material’s density. To estimate the weight, first calculate the volume based on the specific geometry, then multiply it by the density of stainless steel.
General formula:
Weight (kg) = Volume (m³) × Density (kg/m³)
For example, to calculate the weight of a round bar, use the volume formula for a cylinder. For square bars or flat bars, simply multiply the cross-sectional area by the length. This method provides a reliable estimate for most engineering and industrial purposes.
Stainless Steel Pipe Weight Calculation Method
To calculate the weight of a stainless steel pipe, you’ll need the outer diameter (OD), wall thickness, and length of the pipe. First, determine the volume of the cylindrical pipe material, which is the difference between the volume of the outer and inner cylinders.
Pipe volume formula (m³):
Volume = π × [(OD⁄2)² − (ID⁄2)²] × Length
Here, ID = OD − 2 × Wall Thickness.
Once the volume is known, multiply it by the density of stainless steel (≈ 7850 kg/m³) to get the estimated weight.
Weight (kg) = Volume (m³) × Density of Stainless Steel (kg/m³)
This approach is widely used in fabrication, plumbing, and heavy industry to estimate material costs and load planning.
Conclusion
While formulas and online calculators offer convenient ways to estimate the weight of steel plates, remember that these calculations are based on nominal dimensions and standard density values. Actual weights can vary due to material tolerances and composition differences. For precise applications, especially in engineering or manufacturing, it’s always best to refer to supplier specifications or request a detailed weight certificate from the manufacturer.
Hongfang Metal is a trusted supplier of carbon steel, stainless steel, and explosion bonded clad plates. With advanced technology and reliable quality, we provide customized solutions and fast delivery to meet your industrial needs.
