Select the material to determine density automatically.
Vertical leg height (external dimension).
Please enter a positive value.
Horizontal leg width (external dimension).
Please enter a positive value.
Wall thickness of the profile.
Thickness cannot exceed leg dimensions.
Total length of the L profile beam.
Please enter a valid length.
Total Weight
0.00 kg
Weight per Meter0.00 kg/m
Total Volume0.00 cm³
Total Surface Area0.00 m²
Formula Used: Weight = [(Leg A × t) + ((Leg B – t) × t)] × Length × Density
Material Weight Comparison (Projected)
Comparison of your selected material vs Aluminum (Lightweight Reference) for the specified profile.
Profile Properties Table
Property
Value
Unit
What is an L Profile Weight Calculator?
An L profile weight calculator is an essential engineering tool used by structural engineers, metal fabricators, and architects to estimate the mass of L-shaped beams, commonly known as angle irons or steel angles. These profiles are characterized by two legs—either equal or unequal in length—that form a 90-degree angle.
Accurately calculating the weight of an L profile is critical for load estimation, shipping logistics, and material costing. Whether you are working with heavy structural steel (rolled angles) or lightweight aluminum extrusions, understanding the total weight ensures that supporting structures can handle the load and that procurement budgets are accurate.
This tool is designed for professionals who need to calculate the weight of standard and custom L profiles without manually performing complex volume and density multiplications.
L Profile Weight Calculator Formula and Explanation
The mathematical foundation of an L profile weight calculator involves determining the cross-sectional area of the metal and multiplying it by the length and the specific material density.
The standard formula assumes the L shape consists of two rectangles: the vertical leg (Leg A) and the horizontal leg (Leg B). To avoid double-counting the corner intersection, the thickness is subtracted from one of the legs.
Weight (W) = [ (A × t) + ( (B – t) × t ) ] × L × ρ
Variables Table
Variable
Meaning
Unit (Metric)
Typical Range
A
Length of Leg 1 (Vertical)
mm
20mm – 200mm
B
Length of Leg 2 (Horizontal)
mm
20mm – 200mm
t
Thickness of the profile wall
mm
3mm – 25mm
L
Total Length of the beam
meters (m)
1m – 12m
ρ (Rho)
Material Density
kg/m³
Steel: ~7850
Practical Examples (Real-World Use Cases)
Example 1: Structural Steel Support
A construction site requires 50 lengths of equal angle steel for roof trusses. The engineers use the L profile weight calculator to check the transport load.
Material: Structural Steel (7850 kg/m³)
Dimensions: 100mm x 100mm (Equal Angle)
Thickness: 10mm
Length: 6 meters
Calculation: The calculator determines the cross-section area is 1900 mm². The volume for 6m is 0.0114 m³. Multiplied by density, the single beam weighs approximately 89.5 kg.
Example 2: Aluminum Frame Fabrication
A fabricator is building a lightweight frame using Aluminum 6061.
Material: Aluminum (2700 kg/m³)
Dimensions: 50mm x 30mm (Unequal Angle)
Thickness: 3mm
Length: 2.5 meters
Calculation: The calculator outputs a weight of roughly 1.56 kg per beam. This low weight confirms the suitability for a portable frame application.
How to Use This L Profile Weight Calculator
Select Material: Choose the metal type from the dropdown. This sets the density (e.g., Steel, Aluminum, Stainless Steel).
Enter Leg Dimensions: Input the external length of Leg A and Leg B in millimeters. For equal angles, enter the same number in both fields.
Enter Thickness: Input the wall thickness in millimeters.
Set Length: Enter the total length of the profile in meters.
Review Results: The tool instantly calculates the total weight, weight per meter, and surface area.
Key Factors That Affect L Profile Weight Results
There are several variables that influence the final output of an L profile weight calculator. Understanding these ensures better planning and cost estimation.
Material Density: This is the most significant factor. Steel is nearly three times heavier than Aluminum. Using the wrong density value will result in massive errors in weight estimation.
Corner Radius (Fillet): Hot-rolled steel angles often have a curved inner root (fillet) which adds a small amount of mass compared to a sharp 90-degree internal corner. Standard calculators often use the square-root method, which is a close approximation (usually within 1-2%).
Unequal vs. Equal Legs: Unequal angles are often used to reduce weight where bending moment is higher in one axis. Optimizing leg length can save significant material weight.
Thickness Tolerances: Manufacturing tolerances mean the actual thickness may vary slightly from the nominal 5mm or 10mm specification, affecting the actual weight of the batch.
Galvanization: If the steel is hot-dip galvanized, the zinc coating adds roughly 3-5% to the total weight, which is not accounted for in standard raw material calculators.
Dimensional Precision: Ensuring inputs are in millimeters (mm) rather than centimeters is crucial to avoid decimal place errors that could overestimate weight by a factor of 10 or 100.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Does this calculator account for the root radius (curved corner)?
This calculator uses the geometric "square corner" formula for simplicity and speed. For hot-rolled structural steel with a significant root radius, the actual weight might be 1-2% higher due to the extra material in the corner.
2. Can I calculate the weight of plastic L profiles?
Yes, provided you know the density of the plastic. While the dropdown lists metals, you can approximate by selecting a material with similar density or contacting us to add custom density fields.
3. What is the difference between Equal and Unequal angles?
Equal angles have legs of the same length (e.g., 50x50mm), while unequal angles have different lengths (e.g., 75x50mm). Unequal angles are used when the structural load is asymmetric.
4. Why is the Surface Area result important?
Surface area is critical for estimators calculating the cost of painting, powder coating, or galvanizing the steel, as these services are often charged per square meter.
5. How accurate is the L profile weight calculator?
For standard engineering purposes, it is highly accurate. However, always verify with the supplier's weight tables for billing purposes, as mill tolerances can vary.
6. What is the density of mild steel?
The standard density for mild steel used in this calculator is 7850 kg/m³. This is the industry standard for structural carbon steel.
7. Can I use this for folded sheet metal angles?
Yes. Folded sheet metal angles generally have uniform thickness and sharp corners (or small bend radii), making this calculator's geometric formula very accurate for them.
8. How do I convert the result to pounds (lbs)?
1 kg equals approximately 2.20462 lbs. To convert the result manually, multiply the Total Weight (kg) by 2.205.
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