Material Weight Calculator

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Material Weight Calculator

Find the weight of any material in any shape. Choose a material, from steel and aluminum to brass, copper, titanium, plastic, wood, or glass, pick a shape, and enter the dimensions. You get volume, weight per piece, total weight, lb/ft and kg/m, plus cost and a printable, exportable cut list.

Length, quantity, material and cost

Total weight
Weight per piece
Total weight
Weight per ft
Weight per m
Volume per piece
Weight per inch
Weight per part (kg)
Total cost

Cut list and estimate

Worked example. A 1 inch round bar one foot long weighs about 2.67 lb in steel, but only 0.92 lb in aluminum and 0.41 lb in plastic, while brass comes in around 2.89 lb. Same shape, same size, very different weight, because density does all the work.

How to calculate the weight of any material

Weight is volume times density. Work out the volume of the shape from its dimensions, multiply by the material density, and you have the weight. For a constant cross-section, the cross-sectional area times the density gives a per-foot or per-metre figure you can scale to any length.

Weight = volume × density = cross-sectional area × length × density

This calculator does that for ten materials and a dozen shapes, in imperial or metric, and reports volume, weight per piece, total weight, lb/ft, kg/m, lb/in and weight per part, plus cost and a printable, exportable cut list.

Material density chart

MaterialDensity (kg/m³)Density (lb/in³)
Steel7,8500.284
Stainless steel8,0000.289
Aluminum2,7000.098
Brass8,5000.307
Copper8,9600.324
Titanium4,5000.163
Plastic (PVC/acrylic)1,2000.043
Wood (oak)7000.025
Glass2,5000.090

Same bar, different materials

Weight of a 1 inch round bar, one foot long, by material:

MaterialWeight per foot
Copper3.05 lb/ft
Brass2.89 lb/ft
Steel2.67 lb/ft
Titanium1.53 lb/ft
Aluminum0.92 lb/ft
Plastic0.41 lb/ft

Why material choice changes the weight so much

Copper and brass are roughly three times as dense as aluminum, and titanium sits in between at a little over half the weight of steel, which is why it is prized where strength-to-weight matters. Plastics and wood are a fraction of any metal. When you are estimating shipping, handling, or structural load, the material matters as much as the size, so it pays to price and weigh the real material rather than assuming steel.

Frequently asked questions

How do I weigh a material that is not listed?

Choose Custom density and enter the value in kg/m³. Any solid or hollow shape will then use it.

Is aluminum really about a third the weight of steel?

Yes. Aluminum is about 2,700 kg/m³ against 7,850 for steel, so the same shape weighs roughly 34 percent as much.

Can I price a mixed order?

Add each material and size to the cut list, enter a cost per pound or per kilogram, and the calculator totals the weight and cost. Export the list to CSV or print an estimate.

Does this work in metric?

Yes. Switch the units to metric and enter dimensions in millimetres and lengths in metres; results come back in kilograms and kg/m.

Densities are typical values and weights are nominal, calculated from the dimensions you enter. For billing and structural work, confirm against supplier data and material certificates.
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The calculators and tools on Formula Factory are provided for general guidance and informational purposes only. Results are estimates based on standard formulas and the values you enter — they do not constitute professional engineering, electrical, or architectural advice. Always verify calculations with a qualified professional before making decisions for any safety-critical, code-compliance, or commercial application. Formula Factory makes no representations or warranties as to the accuracy or completeness of any result, and accepts no liability for errors, omissions, or any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.