Pipe Weight Calculator
A round pipe is a hollow tube.
Enter Values
Before you rely on this: First-pass guide only. Verify safety-critical or regulated work against the relevant standards, your project requirements and a qualified professional.
How to use this calculator
- Enter the pipe's outer diameter (OD) and wall thickness in millimetres.
- Optionally enter a length in metres to get the total weight, and a material density to override the 7850 kg/m³ steel default (e.g. 8000 for stainless, 2700 for aluminium).
- Read the weight per metre plus the total weight over your length; use it for lifting, transport and pricing estimates.
How it works
A round pipe is a hollow tube. Its inside diameter is ID = OD − 2t, where t is the wall thickness. The steel cross-sectional area is the outer circle minus the bore: A = (π/4)(OD² − ID²). Multiplying that area by the material density gives the mass per unit length.
Working in millimetres for the area and kg/m³ for density, mass per metre = density × A × 1e−6 (the 1e−6 converts mm² to m²). Total weight is simply mass per metre × length. Steel is taken as 7850 kg/m³ by default; you can override it for other metals. This is a nominal geometric weight and ignores manufacturing tolerances, coatings, welds and fittings.
Worked example
Weight of a 6 m length of 88.9 mm OD × 5 mm wall steel pipe. Enter OD = 88.9 mm, wall t = 5 mm, length = 6 m, and leave density blank to use steel (7850 kg/m³). The inside diameter is ID = 88.9 − 2×5 = 78.9 mm, giving a cross-sectional area of (π/4)×(88.9² − 78.9²) = 1,317.4 mm². Weight per metre = 7850 × 1317.4 × 1e−6 = 10.342 kg/m, so a 6 m length weighs 62.055 kg (0.0621 t).
Common mistakes
- Entering the inside diameter or a nominal bore (NB/DN) size instead of the true outer diameter — the formula needs the actual OD in mm.
- Mixing units, e.g. putting the OD in mm but the length in mm; length must be in metres to read kg per metre and total kg.
- Setting a wall thickness of half the OD or more, which is not a valid hollow section — the tool flags this rather than returning a wrong figure.
Frequently asked questions
Which density should I use?
The tool defaults to 7850 kg/m³ for carbon steel. For stainless steel use about 8000, aluminium 2700, copper 8960 and brass 8500. Enter your value in the density field to override the default.
Does this account for pipe fittings, welds or coatings?
No. It gives the nominal weight of the plain round pipe barrel from its geometry only. Add allowances separately for flanges, couplings, galvanising or paint, and any internal lining.
Can I use it for nominal bore (NB/DN) pipe sizes?
Only if you convert to the real outer diameter first. For example DN80 steel pipe has an OD of about 88.9 mm, not 80 mm. Always enter the true OD and the actual wall thickness for your schedule.
Is this weight suitable for structural or pressure design?
It is an estimate for planning, lifting and pricing. It is not a design output — verify section properties and loads against the relevant standard (AS/Eurocode/ACI) and a competent engineer.
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Tip: Enter any known values to calculate the remaining results.
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