Steel Square Pipe Weight Calculator
Accurately calculate weight per meter, total mass, and surface area for Hollow Structural Sections (SHS).
External width of the square section (e.g., 50mm).
Please enter a positive side length.
Thickness of the steel wall (e.g., 3.0mm).
Thickness must be less than half the side length.
Total length of the pipe in meters.
Please enter a valid length.
Number of pipe pieces.
Carbon Steel (Standard) – 7850 kg/m³
Stainless Steel (304/316) – 7900 kg/m³
Aluminum – 2700 kg/m³
Brass – 8400 kg/m³
Copper – 8960 kg/m³
Select material to adjust specific gravity.
Total Weight
0.00 kg
Formula: Volume × Density × Quantity
Weight Per Meter
0.00 kg/m
Cross-Section Area
0.00 mm²
Total Surface Area
0.00 m²
Weight Comparison Analysis
Figure 1: Comparison of your specified pipe against a solid bar of the same dimensions.
Specification Summary
| Parameter | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Outer Dimensions | – | mm |
| Wall Thickness | – | mm |
| Total Length | – | m |
| Material Density | – | kg/m³ |
Table of Contents
What is a Steel Square Pipe Weight Calculator?
A steel square pipe weight calculator is an essential engineering tool designed to estimate the mass of Square Hollow Sections (SHS). These structural elements are widely used in construction, manufacturing, and mechanical engineering due to their excellent strength-to-weight ratio.
Whether you are a structural engineer planning a warehouse frame, a fabricator ordering materials, or a DIY enthusiast building a workbench, knowing the exact weight of your steel tubing is critical for logistics, cost estimation, and structural integrity analysis. This calculator helps eliminate guesswork by providing instant weight metrics based on standard geometric properties.
Many professionals mistakenly assume that weight can be estimated solely by length. However, the wall thickness and material density play equally pivotal roles. A slight increase in wall thickness can significantly increase the total tonnage of a project, impacting shipping costs and crane requirements.
Steel Square Pipe Weight Formula
To understand how the steel square pipe weight calculator works, we must look at the underlying physics. The weight is derived from the volume of steel used in the cross-section multiplied by the material's density.
The Mathematical Derivation
The standard formula for calculating the theoretical weight of a square hollow section is:
Weight (kg) = [Area (mm²) × Length (m) × Density (kg/m³)] / 1,000,000
Where the Cross-Sectional Area ($A$) is calculated by subtracting the inner area from the outer area:
Area = $W^2 – (W – 2t)^2$
| Variable | Meaning | Typical Unit | Standard Range (SHS) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $W$ | Outer Side Width | millimeters (mm) | 20mm – 400mm |
| $t$ | Wall Thickness | millimeters (mm) | 1.6mm – 20mm |
| $L$ | Length | meters (m) | 6m, 12m (Standard Stock) |
| $\rho$ | Density | kg/m³ | 7850 (Carbon Steel) |
Practical Examples (Real-World Use Cases)
Let's look at two scenarios to see how the steel square pipe weight calculator applies to real construction projects.
Example 1: Residential Gate Post
Scenario: A fabricator is building a heavy-duty driveway gate using 100x100mm square sections. They need 2 posts, each 2.5 meters high.
- Input Dimensions: 100mm x 100mm
- Wall Thickness: 4.0mm
- Length: 2.5m
- Calculation:
Outer Area = $100^2 = 10,000 mm^2$
Inner Area = $(100 – 8)^2 = 92^2 = 8,464 mm^2$
Steel Area = $1,536 mm^2$
Volume per post = $1,536 \times 10^{-6} m^2 \times 2.5 m = 0.00384 m^3$
Weight = $0.00384 \times 7850 = 30.14 kg$ per post.
Result: Total weight for two posts is approx 60.28 kg.
Example 2: Warehouse Column (Heavy Duty)
Scenario: Ordering structural columns for a mezzanine floor.
- Input Dimensions: 200mm x 200mm
- Wall Thickness: 10.0mm
- Length: 6.0m
- Material: Standard Carbon Steel
Interpretation: A single 6-meter length of this heavy section would weigh approximately 358 kg. This exceeds manual handling limits and would require mechanical lifting equipment (forklift or crane) for installation.
How to Use This Steel Square Pipe Weight Calculator
- Enter Dimensions: Input the outer side length in millimeters (e.g., 50 for a 50×50 section).
- Specify Thickness: Enter the wall thickness in mm. Ensure the thickness is less than half the side length.
- Set Length & Quantity: Input the total length per piece in meters and the total number of pieces required.
- Verify Material: The default is Carbon Steel ($7850 kg/m^3$). Change this if you are calculating for Aluminum or Stainless Steel.
- Review Results: The tool instantly updates the Total Weight, Weight per Meter, and Surface Area (useful for painting estimates).
Key Factors That Affect Steel Square Pipe Weight Results
When using a steel square pipe weight calculator for budgeting or engineering, consider these six critical factors:
- Material Density Variations: While $7850 kg/m^3$ is standard for steel, different alloys vary. Stainless steel is slightly heavier ($7900 kg/m^3$), while aluminum is significantly lighter (~$2700 kg/m^3$).
- Corner Radii: Real-world Cold Formed Hollow Sections have rounded corners. A purely geometric calculation (sharp corners) slightly overestimates the weight. Standard weight tables account for this mass reduction.
- Manufacturing Tolerances: ASTM and EN standards allow for thickness tolerances of +/- 10%. A "3mm" wall might actually be 2.8mm or 3.1mm, affecting the final tonnage.
- Galvanization: If the pipe is Hot Dip Galvanized, the zinc coating adds approximately 3-5% to the total weight of the steel.
- Weld Seams: In welded pipes, the internal weld bead adds a negligible amount of mass, usually ignored in general calculations but relevant for high-precision aerospace applications.
- Cost Implications: Steel is sold by weight. A 10% error in weight estimation translates directly to a 10% error in material cost budgeting.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does this calculator account for rounded corners?
This calculator uses the geometric box formula ($Outer – Inner$). For strict engineering purposes (EN 10219/10210), standard weight tables use a complex formula involving corner radius. However, the geometric difference is usually within 1-2% accuracy and sufficient for estimation and logistics.
What is the difference between SHS and RHS?
SHS stands for Square Hollow Section (equal sides), while RHS stands for Rectangular Hollow Section (unequal sides). This steel square pipe weight calculator is specifically for SHS.
How do I calculate weight for Aluminum square tubing?
Simply change the "Material Density" dropdown in the calculator to "Aluminum". Aluminum is roughly 1/3 the weight of steel.
Why is the surface area calculated?
Surface area is critical for determining the amount of paint, powder coating, or fireproofing material required for the steelwork.
Can I use this for stainless steel?
Yes. Select "Stainless Steel" from the menu. Grades 304 and 316 have a slightly higher density ($7900-8000 kg/m^3$) than mild steel.
What are standard lengths for steel pipes?
Steel merchants typically stock SHS in lengths of 6 meters, 7.5 meters, or 12 meters.
Is the weight per meter constant?
Yes, for a uniform section, the weight per meter (linear density) remains constant regardless of the total length.
Does this include the weight of end caps?
No, the calculation is for the open pipe only. End plates or caps must be calculated separately as flat plates.
Related Tools and Internal Resources
Expand your engineering toolkit with our other specialized calculators:
- I-Beam Weight Calculator: Calculate weights for Universal Beams (UB) and Columns (UC).
- Round Tube Weight Calculator: For CHS (Circular Hollow Sections) and piping.
- Sheet Metal Weight Calculator: Estimate mass for flat plates and checker plates.
- Surface Area & Paint Calculator: Advanced coating estimations for structural steel.
- Metal Density Chart: Reference table for densities of various alloys including brass, copper, and titanium.
- Truck Load Planner: Estimate shipping requirements based on total steel tonnage.