Default is Mild Steel. Change for other materials.
Total Weight
0.00 kg
0.00 lbs
Formula Used: Weight = (0.866 × Width² × Length × Density) / 1,000,000
*Where width is in mm and length in meters.
Parameter
Value
Unit Weight (per meter)
0.00 kg/m
Cross-Sectional Area
0.00 mm²
Total Volume
0.00 cm³
Total Quantity
1
Weight Comparison by Standard Sizes (1m Length)
Chart compares your input size against standard MS hex bar sizes.
What is the MS Hex Bar Weight Calculation Formula?
The ms hex bar weight calculation formula is a mathematical method used by engineers, steel fabricators, and procurement specialists to determine the theoretical mass of Mild Steel (MS) hexagonal bars. Unlike round or square bars, hexagonal bars have six sides, requiring a specific geometric approach to calculate their cross-sectional area and subsequent volume.
Hexagonal bars are widely used in the manufacturing of fasteners (nuts and bolts), automotive components, and general engineering works. Accurate weight calculation is critical for:
Estimating shipping and logistics costs.
Determining raw material costs for projects.
Structural load planning and safety analysis.
Using the correct ms hex bar weight calculation formula prevents costly estimation errors, especially when dealing with large quantities of steel where even small discrepancies per meter can add up to tonnes of variance.
MS Hex Bar Weight Calculation Formula and Explanation
To calculate the weight of a hexagonal bar, you must first determine its volume and then multiply it by the density of the material. For Mild Steel, the standard density is approximately 7850 kg/m³ (or 7.85 g/cm³).
Step 1: Calculate Cross-Sectional Area
The area of a regular hexagon is determined by the "Width Across Flats" (W), which is the distance between two opposite parallel sides (usually the dimension measured by calipers).
Area Formula: A = (√3 / 2) × W² ≈ 0.866 × W²
Step 2: Calculate Volume
Multiply the cross-sectional area by the length of the bar.
Volume Formula: V = Area × Length
Step 3: Calculate Weight
Multiply the volume by the material density.
Weight Formula: Weight = Volume × Density
Simplified Engineering Formula
For practical use in the field with Width (mm) and Length (m), the ms hex bar weight calculation formula simplifies to:
Weight (kg) = (W² × 0.866 × 7.85 × L) / 1000
Variables Table
W: Width Across Flats (mm) – Typical range: 5mm to 100mm
L: Length of the bar (m) – Standard stock: 3m or 6m
ρ (Rho): Density of Mild Steel – Constant: 7.85 g/cm³
0.866: Geometric constant for hexagonal area (√3 / 2)
Practical Examples of MS Hex Bar Weight Calculation
Here are two real-world scenarios showing how the ms hex bar weight calculation formula is applied.
Example 1: Manufacturing Bolts
A fastener factory needs to order raw material for 20mm bolts. They require 100 bars, each 3 meters long.
Input Width (W): 20 mm
Input Length (L): 3 meters
Quantity: 100 bars
Calculation: 1. Area = 0.866 × 20² = 346.4 mm²
2. Unit Weight = (346.4 × 1m × 7850) / 1,000,000 = 2.72 kg/m
3. Weight per bar = 2.72 kg/m × 3m = 8.16 kg
4. Total Weight = 8.16 kg × 100 = 816 kg
Example 2: Heavy Machinery Shaft
An engineer needs a heavy-duty drive shaft made from a 50mm MS hex bar, cut to 1.5 meters.
Input Width (W): 50 mm
Input Length (L): 1.5 meters
Calculation: 1. Area = 0.866 × 50² = 2165 mm²
2. Unit Weight = (2165 × 1 × 7850) / 1,000,000 = 17.00 kg/m
3. Total Weight = 17.00 × 1.5 = 25.5 kg
How to Use This MS Hex Bar Calculator
Enter Width: Measure the distance across the flats of the hexagon in millimeters (mm). Common sizes are 10mm, 12mm, 16mm, 19mm, 25mm, etc.
Enter Length: Input the total length of the bar in meters. If you have a measurement in feet, convert it to meters first (1 foot = 0.3048 meters).
Select Quantity: If you are calculating a bulk order, enter the total number of bars.
Check Density: The calculator defaults to Mild Steel (7850 kg/m³). If you are using Stainless Steel or Brass, adjust the material selector.
Review Results: The tool instantly provides the unit weight per meter and the total shipping weight. Use the "Copy Results" button to paste data into your procurement emails or Excel sheets.
Key Factors That Affect MS Hex Bar Results
While the ms hex bar weight calculation formula is precise mathematically, real-world weights can vary due to several factors:
Rolling Tolerances: Steel mills produce bars within tolerance ranges (e.g., +/- 0.5mm). A bar slightly thicker than nominal size will weigh more than the formula predicts.
Corner Radius: The formula assumes sharp corners. In reality, MS hex bars often have slightly rounded corners, which marginally reduces the actual volume and weight.
Material Density Variations: While 7850 kg/m³ is the standard for Mild Steel, different alloys (like EN8 vs. Mild Steel) may have slight density variations.
Surface Finish: Rough surfaces or scaling on hot-rolled bars can add negligible weight compared to bright drawn (cold finished) bars.
Coatings: Galvanization or heavy painting adds weight that is not accounted for in the raw steel formula.
Cut Length Precision: A "6-meter" bar might actually be 6.1 meters to allow for cutting losses, increasing the total purchased weight.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the density of Mild Steel used in the calculation?
The standard density used for the ms hex bar weight calculation formula is 7850 kg/m³ or 7.85 g/cm³. This is the industry standard for structural steel.
Does this formula apply to Stainless Steel Hex Bars?
The geometric formula is the same, but the density differs slightly. Stainless steel (Grade 304/316) typically has a density of around 7900 kg/m³—slightly heavier than Mild Steel.
How do I convert Width Across Corners to Width Across Flats?
If you only have the measurement across the corners, divide it by 1.1547 to get the Width Across Flats required for this calculator.
Why is the constant 0.866 used?
The constant 0.866 is derived from (√3 / 2), which relates the side-to-side width of a hexagon to its area.
Is Hex Bar heavier than Round Bar of the same size?
Yes. A 20mm Hex Bar is heavier than a 20mm Round Bar because the hexagon covers more cross-sectional area than the circle inscribed within it.
Can I calculate weight in pounds (lbs)?
Yes, this calculator displays the result in both Kilograms (kg) and Pounds (lbs). To convert manually, multiply kg by 2.20462.
What are standard lengths for MS Hex Bars?
Common commercial stock lengths are 3 meters (approx 10 feet) and 6 meters (approx 20 feet).
How accurate is the theoretical weight?
The theoretical weight is usually within +/- 2% of the actual scale weight, depending on the mill's rolling precision.
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