Accurately determine the mass and potential scrap value of your cabling projects with this professional wire weight calculator copper tool. Ideal for electricians, scrap dealers, and engineers needing precise estimations based on AWG or diameter.
Select the American Wire Gauge size of the conductor.
Total length of the wire run.
Please enter a positive length.
Feet (ft)
Meters (m)
Choose your measurement system.
Multiplier for cables with multiple internal wires.
Must be at least 1.
Used to estimate the raw material value (approximate).
Total Copper Weight
0.00 lbs
Estimated Value$0.00
Cross-Section Area0.00 mm²
Weight per 1000 units0.00 lbs/kft
Chart: Cumulative weight accumulation over length (Selected Gauge vs Reference 12 AWG)
Metric
Value
Unit
Detailed breakdown of physical properties calculated based on standard annealed copper density.
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What is a Wire Weight Calculator Copper?
A wire weight calculator copper is a specialized digital tool designed to estimate the total mass of pure copper contained within a specific length and gauge of electrical wire. Unlike general weight calculators, this tool applies the specific density of copper (approximately 8.96 g/cm³) to the geometric volume of the wire to derive an accurate weight.
This tool is essential for:
Electricians & Contractors: Estimating transport loads and conduit fill requirements.
Scrap Metal Recyclers: Calculating the potential monetary value of stripped wire based on current "bright and shiny" copper prices.
Engineers: Designing systems where cabling weight impacts structural integrity (e.g., aerospace or long-span overhead lines).
A common misconception is that the weight of a cable is solely the copper. In reality, insulation (PVC, THHN, XHHW) adds significant weight. This calculator focuses specifically on the conductor weight—the valuable copper core—making it ideal for scrap value estimation and conductivity calculations.
Wire Weight Calculator Copper Formula
To understand how the wire weight calculator copper works, we must look at the underlying physics. The calculation involves two main steps: determining the volume of the copper and then multiplying it by the density of copper.
1. Determine Cross-Sectional Area
First, the calculator converts the American Wire Gauge (AWG) to a diameter in millimeters using the standard formula:
Diameter (mm) = 0.127 × 92(36 – AWG) / 39
The area (A) is then calculated: A = π × (radius)²
2. Calculate Volume and Mass
Once the area is known, the total volume (V) is derived by multiplying the area by the length of the wire. Finally, the mass is calculated using copper's density.
Weight = Volume × Density of Copper
Variables Table
Variable
Meaning
Typical Unit
Standard Value
ρ (Rho)
Density of Copper
g/cm³ or lb/in³
8.96 g/cm³
L
Length of Wire
Feet or Meters
User Defined
n
AWG Number
Gauge
0000 to 40
A
Cross-Sectional Area
mm²
Derived
Key mathematical variables used in copper wire calculations.
Practical Examples
Example 1: The Scrap Value Run
An electrician has stripped 500 feet of old 10 AWG solid copper wire from a renovation project. They want to know the scrap value before heading to the yard.
Input Gauge: 10 AWG
Input Length: 500 Feet
Market Price: $3.50/lb
Result: A 10 AWG wire weighs approximately 31.4 lbs per 1000 ft. For 500 ft, the weight is ~15.7 lbs.
Financial Value: 15.7 lbs × $3.50 = ~$54.95.
Example 2: Heavy Feeder Estimation
A contractor needs to install a service feeder using 4/0 (0000) AWG copper cable. The run is 150 meters long with 4 conductors (3 phases + neutral).
Input Gauge: 4/0 AWG
Input Length: 150 Meters (approx 492 ft)
Conductors: 4
Calculation: 4/0 copper weighs approx 640 lbs per 1000 ft.
Total Weight: The wire weight calculator copper would output approximately 1,260 lbs (571 kg) for the total run. This confirms the need for heavy-duty cable pulling equipment.
How to Use This Wire Weight Calculator Copper
Using this tool is straightforward, but accuracy depends on correct inputs.
Select Wire Gauge: Choose the AWG size from the dropdown menu. If you have "00" wire, select "2/0".
Enter Length: Input the total length of the wire. Ensure you select the correct unit (Feet or Meters).
Set Quantity/Strands: If you are calculating for a multi-core cable (like Romex 12/2), enter "2" or "3" depending on the number of copper conductors inside the sheath.
Check Market Price: For scrap calculations, enter the current spot price or local yard price for "Bare Bright" copper.
Analyze Results: Use the "Total Copper Weight" for load calculations and "Estimated Value" for financial decisions.
Key Factors That Affect Wire Weight Calculator Copper Results
Several variables can influence the final calculation and the real-world weight of your wire.
1. Stranding Class
Solid wire packs slightly more copper into a given diameter than stranded wire, due to the air gaps between strands. While AWG is based on electrical cross-section, physical diameter varies. This calculator assumes standard solid or compressed strand nominal weights.
2. Insulation Weight
This wire weight calculator copper computes the weight of the metal only. Heavy insulation like double-jacketed USE-2 or thick THHN adds 10-30% to the total cable weight, which affects transport but not scrap value.
3. Copper Purity
Standard electrical wire is Electrolytic Tough Pitch (ETP) copper, which is 99.9% pure. Alloy wires (like copper-clad aluminum) will weigh significantly less (approx 30% of copper's weight) and will yield incorrect results here.
4. Temperature Expansion
While negligible for weight, temperature affects length. However, density remains constant for mass calculations regardless of temperature changes in typical environments.
5. Manufacturing Tolerances
Wire manufacturers have a tolerance range. A "12 AWG" wire might vary slightly in actual diameter, leading to a +/- 1-2% variance in actual weight compared to the theoretical calculation.
6. Coating (Tinning)
Tinned copper (silver appearance) is used for marine applications. Tin is slightly lighter than copper (7.3 g/cm³ vs 8.96 g/cm³), but the coating is so thin it usually impacts total weight by less than 1%.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does this calculator include the weight of the plastic insulation?
No. This is a wire weight calculator copper specifically designed to calculate the mass of the conductive copper core. This is the standard metric for scrap value and electrical conductivity mass calculations.
What is the difference between solid and stranded wire weight?
Electrically, a 10 AWG solid and 10 AWG stranded wire carry the same current and have the same copper cross-section. Therefore, their copper weight per foot is theoretically identical, even though the stranded wire has a larger physical outer diameter.
How do I calculate 500 MCM or larger cables?
For cables larger than 4/0, the industry uses Circular Mils (kcmil/MCM). While this calculator covers standard AWG up to 4/0, you can approximate larger cables by entering multiple strands of smaller gauges.
Why is the scrap price different from the stock market copper price?
The "Spot Price" (COMEX) is for new, refined copper. Scrap yards pay less because they must process, melt, and refine the used wire. Expect 60-80% of spot price depending on if the wire is stripped (Bare Bright) or insulated (Number 1 or 2 Insulated).
Is copper weight the same as gold or silver?
No. Every metal has a unique density. Gold is much denser (19.3 g/cm³) than copper (8.96 g/cm³). A calculator for gold wire would yield a result over twice as heavy for the same size wire.
Can I use this for Copper Clad Aluminum (CCA)?
No. CCA is aluminum with a thin copper skin. It is much lighter (density ~2.7 g/cm³) than pure copper. Using this tool for CCA will vastly overestimate the weight and value.
How accurate is the AWG to mm conversion?
We use the official ASTM B 258 standard formula for AWG to diameter conversion, ensuring high precision for electrical wire estimations.
What is the density of copper used in this calculator?
We use 8.96 g/cm³ (or 8960 kg/m³), which is the standard engineering density for annealed copper used in electrical applications.
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