Instantly calculate the weight of hollow circular steel sections (HSS), pipes, and tubes. This tool determines the mass based on outer diameter, wall thickness, and length using the specific density of steel.
Tube Dimensions & Specifications
Total width of the tube across the center
Please enter a valid positive diameter.
Thickness of the steel material
Thickness must be less than half the diameter.
Total length of the section
Please enter a valid length.
Number of tubes to calculate
Total Weight
0.00 kg
Weight per Meter
0.00 kg/m
Inner Diameter (ID)
0.00 mm
Cross Section Area
0.00 mm²
Logic Used: Weight = (Area of Outer Circle – Area of Inner Circle) × Length × Steel Density (7850 kg/m³).
Parameter
Value
Table 1: Detailed specification breakdown of the calculated steel tube.
Weight Comparison: Tube vs. Solid Bar
Your Tube
Solid Bar (Same OD)
Chart compares the weight accumulation of your hollow tube vs. a solid round bar of the same diameter.
What is a Steel Tube Weight Calculator in kg?
A steel tube weight calculator in kg is a specialized engineering tool designed to estimate the mass of hollow structural sections (HSS), industrial pipes, and round tubing. Unlike generic weight calculators, this tool focuses specifically on the geometry of a cylindrical shell—defined by its outer diameter, wall thickness, and length.
Engineers, fabricators, and procurement specialists use this calculator to determine shipping costs, structural load requirements, and material handling needs. It helps prevent ordering errors and ensures that cranes or transport vehicles are not overloaded. The tool assumes a standard carbon steel density, making it applicable for most construction and manufacturing projects involving ASTM A500, A53, or similar steel grades.
Common misconceptions include confusing "nominal pipe size" (NPS) with actual physical dimensions. This calculator relies on actual physical measurements (in millimeters) to provide an accurate weight in kilograms, rather than relying on nominal trade sizes which can vary by schedule.
Steel Tube Weight Formula and Mathematical Explanation
The core logic behind the steel tube weight calculator in kg is based on calculating the volume of steel material and multiplying it by its density. The cross-section of a tube is an annulus (a ring shape).
Step-by-Step Derivation
Calculate Inner Diameter ($d$): Subtract twice the wall thickness from the outer diameter.
Formula: $d = D – 2t$
Calculate Cross-Sectional Area ($A$): Find the area of the outer circle and subtract the area of the inner circle.
Formula: $A = \pi \times [ (D/2)^2 – (d/2)^2 ]$
Calculate Volume ($V$): Multiply the cross-sectional area by the length of the tube.
Formula: $V = A \times L$
Calculate Mass ($W$): Multiply volume by the density of steel.
Formula: $W = V \times \rho$
Variable
Meaning
Unit Used
Typical Range
$D$
Outer Diameter
Millimeters (mm)
10mm – 2000mm
$t$
Wall Thickness
Millimeters (mm)
0.5mm – 50mm
$L$
Length
Meters (m)
1m – 12m
$\rho$ (rho)
Steel Density
kg/m³
~7850 kg/m³
Table 2: Variables used in steel weight calculation logic.
Practical Examples (Real-World Use Cases)
Example 1: Scaffolding Tube Calculation
A construction manager needs to order 50 pieces of standard scaffolding tube. The tubes have an Outer Diameter of 48.3 mm, a wall thickness of 3.2 mm, and a length of 6 meters.
Input OD: 48.3 mm
Input Thickness: 3.2 mm
Input Length: 6 m
Result Per Tube: The calculator determines the cross-sectional area is approx 453 mm². The weight is roughly 21.3 kg per tube.
Total Load: For 50 tubes, the total weight is 1,065 kg, helping the manager select the correct light truck for transport.
Example 2: Heavy Structural Column
A structural engineer is designing a warehouse column using a large Hollow Structural Section (HSS). The column is 200 mm in diameter with a heavy 10 mm wall thickness, standing 8 meters tall.
Input OD: 200 mm
Input Thickness: 10 mm
Input Length: 8 m
Financial Interpretation: The calculated weight is approximately 375 kg. Knowing the price of steel per kg (e.g., $1.50/kg), the engineer can instantly estimate the raw material cost is around $562.50 for this single column.
How to Use This Steel Tube Weight Calculator
Follow these simple steps to get an accurate estimation using our tool:
Measure the Outer Diameter: Use calipers to get the exact width of the tube in millimeters. Enter this in the "Outer Diameter" field.
Determine Wall Thickness: Enter the thickness of the tube wall in millimeters. Ensure this value is less than half the diameter.
Specify Length: Input the total length of the tube in meters. Standard stock lengths are often 6m or 12m.
Set Quantity: If you have a batch of identical tubes, increase the quantity field to see the aggregate weight.
Analyze Results: Review the "Total Weight" for shipping logistics and "Weight per Meter" for engineering load calculations. Use the "Copy Results" button to paste the data into your procurement spreadsheets.
Key Factors That Affect Steel Tube Weight Results
While the formula provides a theoretical weight, several real-world factors can influence the final mass of your steel tubes.
Manufacturing Tolerances: Steel mills produce tubes within specific tolerance ranges (e.g., ASTM A500 allows for wall thickness variations of +/- 10%). A tube delivered at the upper limit of tolerance will weigh more than the calculated theoretical weight.
Material Density Variations: While 7850 kg/m³ is the standard for carbon steel, stainless steel (approx 7900 kg/m³) or alloy steels may differ slightly. This calculator assumes standard carbon steel.
Coatings and Galvanization: If the tube is hot-dip galvanized, zinc adds approximately 300-600 g/m² of surface area to the weight. Paint and primer also add minor mass not accounted for in the raw steel calculation.
Weld Seam: Welded tubes (ERW) contain a weld seam that may add a negligible amount of volume compared to seamless tubes, though they are generally treated as uniform for weight calculation.
Corner Radius (Square vs Round): This calculator is for round tubes. For square or rectangular tubes, the corner radius significantly reduces weight compared to a sharp-cornered theoretical box.
Scrap and Cutting Kerf: If you are cutting tubes from longer stock, remember that the cutting process removes material (kerf), slightly reducing the weight of the finished part compared to the raw stock.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can I use this for Stainless Steel or Aluminum?
This calculator uses the density of Carbon Steel (7850 kg/m³). Stainless steel is slightly heavier (~1% difference), while Aluminum is roughly 1/3rd the weight (2700 kg/m³). Divide the result by 2.9 for an approximate Aluminum weight.
2. Why is the "Weight per Meter" important?
Weight per meter (linear mass) is crucial for structural engineers to calculate "dead load" on beams and supports. It is also the standard unit for pricing steel tubing in many markets.
3. What if my thickness is in gauge?
You must convert gauge to millimeters first. For example, 16 gauge is roughly 1.5mm, and 11 gauge is roughly 3.0mm. Check a standard gauge chart before entering values.
4. Does this include the weight of end caps or flanges?
No, the result represents the plain end tube only. Any welded fittings, flanges, or base plates must be calculated separately.
5. How accurate is this calculator?
The mathematical accuracy is precise, but real-world steel products have manufacturing tolerances. Industry standard allows for weight deviations of +/- 5% to 10%.
6. Can I calculate the volume of water the tube holds?
Yes. The intermediate value "Inner Diameter" can be used to calculate internal volume. Calculate the area of the inner circle ($\pi r^2$) and multiply by length to get capacity in cubic meters.
7. What is the difference between Pipe and Tube?
Pipes are generally measured by Nominal Pipe Size (NPS) which refers to flow capacity, while Tubes are measured by exact Outer Diameter (OD). This tool expects exact OD input.
8. How do I calculate for hollow bars?
Hollow bars are essentially thick-walled tubes. As long as the wall thickness is less than half the diameter, this steel tube weight calculator in kg works perfectly for heavy hollow bars.
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