Easily calculate the weight of copper wire in kilograms using its dimensions and density with our comprehensive calculator and guide.
Copper Wire Weight Calculator
Enter the diameter of the copper wire in millimeters.
Enter the total length of the copper wire in meters.
Round
Square
Rectangular
Select the cross-sectional shape of the wire.
Enter the width for rectangular wire in millimeters.
Enter the height for rectangular wire in millimeters.
Enter the side length for square wire in millimeters.
Calculation Results
— kg
Cross-Sectional Area: — mm²
Volume: — m³
Density of Copper: 8960 kg/m³
Formula: Weight (kg) = Volume (m³) × Density (kg/m³)
Weight vs. Length
This chart visualizes how the weight of copper wire changes with its length for a fixed cross-sectional area ({{chartExampleArea}} mm²).
Weight vs. Diameter (for Round Wire)
This chart shows how the weight of copper wire changes with its diameter for a fixed length ({{chartExampleLength}} meters).
Metric
Value
Unit
Description
Copper Density
8960
kg/m³
The mass per unit volume of pure copper.
Cross-Sectional Area
—
mm²
The area of the wire's cross-section.
Volume
—
m³
The total space occupied by the wire.
Weight
—
kg
The calculated mass of the copper wire.
What is Copper Wire Weight Calculation?
The copper wire weight calculation formula in kg is a fundamental concept used to determine the mass of a given length and dimension of copper wire. It's essential for various industries, including electrical engineering, manufacturing, construction, and scrap metal dealing, where accurate material estimation is crucial for cost management, logistics, and project planning. Understanding how to calculate copper wire weight ensures efficient procurement, installation, and disposal of electrical conductors.
Who should use it:
Electricians and Electrical Engineers: For estimating material needs for installations, ensuring proper conductor sizing, and calculating load capacities.
Manufacturers: To manage raw material inventory, calculate production costs, and determine shipping weights.
Contractors: For bidding on projects, managing on-site materials, and ensuring compliance with material specifications.
Scrap Metal Recyclers and Dealers: To accurately assess the value of used copper wire based on its weight.
DIY Enthusiasts and Hobbyists: For smaller projects requiring precise material calculations.
Common misconceptions:
"All copper wire weighs the same per meter": This is incorrect. While copper's density is constant, the weight per meter varies significantly with the wire's cross-sectional area (determined by diameter or dimensions). Thicker wires weigh more per meter than thinner ones.
"Imperial and Metric units are interchangeable": It's crucial to use consistent units (e.g., all millimeters and meters for dimensions, then convert to kg for weight) to avoid significant calculation errors.
"Density of copper is constant regardless of purity": While pure copper has a standard density, alloys or impurities can slightly alter this value. However, for most practical purposes, the standard density is sufficient.
Copper Wire Weight Calculation Formula and Mathematical Explanation
The core principle behind calculating copper wire weight relies on a simple physics formula: Weight = Volume × Density. To apply this to copper wire, we need to calculate its volume based on its dimensions and then multiply it by the known density of copper.
Step-by-step derivation:
Determine the Cross-Sectional Area (A): This is the area of the wire's end.
For Round Wire: A = π × (Diameter / 2)² or A = π × Radius²
For Square Wire: A = Side Length²
For Rectangular Wire: A = Width × Height
*Note: Ensure all dimensions are in the same unit (e.g., millimeters) before calculating the area.*
Convert Area to Square Meters (m²): Since density is typically given in kg/m³, it's best to work with metric volume. If area is in mm², divide by 1,000,000 (since 1 m = 1000 mm, so 1 m² = 1000² mm²). Area (m²) = Area (mm²) / 1,000,000
Calculate the Volume (V): Multiply the cross-sectional area (in m²) by the length of the wire (in meters). V (m³) = Area (m²) × Length (m)
Calculate the Weight (W): Multiply the volume (in m³) by the density of copper. The standard density of pure copper is approximately 8960 kg/m³. W (kg) = V (m³) × Density (kg/m³)
Combining these steps, the formula can be expressed as:
Weight (kg) = (Cross-Sectional Area (mm²) / 1,000,000) × Length (m) × Density (kg/m³)
Variables Explained
Variable
Meaning
Unit
Typical Range/Value
Diameter (d)
The width of a round wire's cross-section.
mm
0.1 mm to 100+ mm
Side Length (s)
The length of one side of a square wire's cross-section.
mm
0.5 mm to 100+ mm
Width (w)
One dimension of a rectangular wire's cross-section.
mm
1 mm to 100+ mm
Height (h)
The other dimension of a rectangular wire's cross-section.
mm
1 mm to 100+ mm
Length (L)
The total linear extent of the wire.
m
1 m to 10,000+ m
Cross-Sectional Area (A)
The area of the wire's cut surface.
mm² or m²
Calculated value (e.g., 4.9 mm² for 2.5mm² round wire)
Volume (V)
The space occupied by the wire.
m³
Calculated value
Density (ρ)
Mass per unit volume of copper.
kg/m³
Approx. 8960 kg/m³ (pure copper)
Weight (W)
The total mass of the wire.
kg
Calculated value
Practical Examples (Real-World Use Cases)
Example 1: Calculating Weight for Electrical Installation
An electrician is installing new wiring for a home extension and needs to calculate the weight of the copper wire required. They are using 100 meters of 4.0 mm² stranded copper wire (which has a similar effective cross-sectional area to a solid round wire of approximately 2.26 mm diameter).
Volume (V) = Area (m²) × Length (m) = 0.00000401 m² × 100 m ≈ 0.000401 m³
Weight (W) = Volume (m³) × Density (kg/m³) = 0.000401 m³ × 8960 kg/m³ ≈ 3.59 kg
Interpretation: The electrician needs approximately 3.59 kg of this specific copper wire for the 100-meter run. This helps in ordering the correct amount and estimating the handling weight for installation.
Example 2: Estimating Scrap Value
A contractor has removed old electrical wiring from a renovation project and wants to estimate its scrap value. They measure the wire and find they have roughly 50 meters of 6 AWG wire, which is approximately 4.17 mm in diameter.
Volume (V) = Area (m²) × Length (m) = 0.00001363 m² × 50 m ≈ 0.0006815 m³
Weight (W) = Volume (m³) × Density (kg/m³) = 0.0006815 m³ × 8960 kg/m³ ≈ 6.11 kg
Interpretation: The contractor has approximately 6.11 kg of copper wire. This weight can be used to get quotes from scrap metal dealers, comparing prices per kilogram to maximize their return.
Enter Wire Diameter (mm): For round wires, input the diameter. If you have square or rectangular wire, select the appropriate shape and enter the side length (for square) or width and height (for rectangular) in millimeters.
Enter Wire Length (m): Input the total length of the wire you need to measure in meters.
Select Wire Shape: Choose 'Round', 'Square', or 'Rectangular' from the dropdown menu. If you choose 'Square' or 'Rectangular', additional input fields will appear.
Enter Dimensions for Non-Round Wires: If you selected 'Square', enter the side length. If you selected 'Rectangular', enter both the width and height. Ensure all dimensions are in millimeters.
Click "Calculate Weight": The calculator will process your inputs.
How to read results:
Total Weight: This is the primary result, displayed prominently in kilograms (kg).
Cross-Sectional Area: Shows the calculated area of the wire's end in square millimeters (mm²).
Volume: Displays the total volume of the wire in cubic meters (m³).
Density of Copper: This is a fixed value (8960 kg/m³) used in the calculation.
Decision-making guidance: Use the calculated weight for budgeting, material ordering, shipping cost estimation, and determining scrap value. The intermediate values (area, volume) can also be useful for verifying conductor sizing requirements.
Key Factors That Affect Copper Wire Weight Results
Dimensional Accuracy: The precision of your measurements for diameter, width, height, and length is paramount. Small errors in these inputs can lead to noticeable differences in the calculated weight, especially for large quantities.
Wire Shape Complexity: While the calculator handles basic shapes, complex or non-standard cross-sections (like Litz wire or specially extruded profiles) would require more advanced volume calculations.
Purity of Copper: The standard density of 8960 kg/m³ applies to pure copper. If the wire is an alloy (e.g., copper-nickel) or contains significant impurities, its actual density and weight will differ. For most electrical applications, the difference is negligible, but it matters for high-purity applications or scrap valuation.
Insulation and Jacketing: This calculator measures the weight of the *copper conductor* only. If the wire is insulated or jacketed with other materials (like PVC, rubber, or metal armor), the total weight of the cable will be higher. You would need to calculate the weight of the insulation separately if required.
Temperature Effects: While density changes slightly with temperature, the effect on the overall weight calculation for typical wire lengths and environmental conditions is minimal and usually disregarded.
Manufacturing Tolerances: Real-world wire manufacturing has tolerances. The actual diameter or dimensions might vary slightly from the nominal spec, leading to minor deviations in weight.
Stranding vs. Solid Core: For stranded wires, the calculation using an equivalent diameter or total cross-sectional area provides a very close estimate. The small air gaps between strands have a minimal impact on overall density and weight compared to a solid core of the same area.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is the density of copper used in the calculation?
A: The standard density of pure copper is approximately 8960 kg/m³. This value is used in our calculator. Slight variations may occur due to alloys or impurities.
Q2: Does this calculator account for insulation on the wire?
A: No, this calculator is specifically for the weight of the copper conductor itself. The weight of any insulation or jacketing material is not included.
Q3: Can I use this for aluminum wire?
A: No, this calculator uses the density of copper. Aluminum has a significantly different density (around 2700 kg/m³), so you would need a different calculator or adjust the density value manually.
Q4: What if my wire is not perfectly round, square, or rectangular?
A: For irregularly shaped wires, you would need to calculate the cross-sectional area using more advanced geometric methods or approximation techniques before using the volume and density formula.
Q5: How accurate is the calculation for stranded wire?
A: The calculation is highly accurate for stranded wire when using the total cross-sectional area of the copper strands. The small air gaps between strands have a negligible effect on the overall weight.
Q6: Do I need to convert AWG to millimeters?
A: Yes, the calculator requires dimensions in millimeters. You will need to convert AWG (American Wire Gauge) sizes to their metric equivalents (diameter in mm) before inputting them.
Q7: Why is knowing the weight of copper wire important?
A: It's crucial for cost estimation, material handling, logistics planning (shipping weight), scrap metal valuation, and ensuring structural integrity in large installations.
Q8: What units should I use for the inputs?
A: Please use millimeters (mm) for diameter, width, height, and side length, and meters (m) for length. The output will be in kilograms (kg).