Aluminum Weight Calculator
Select a shape, enter the dimensions, choose your alloy, and this calculator returns the weight instantly. Switch between metric and imperial length units and six weight units, add a price per kilogram for a total material cost estimate, and read the step-by-step working beneath the result.
How to use this calculator
Start by selecting the shape of your aluminum piece from the dropdown. Ten profiles are available: sheet or plate, flat bar, round rod, round tube or pipe, square tube, hexagonal bar, ring or washer, sphere, angle (L-section), and channel (U-section). Next, choose your alloy from eighteen options (6061 and 7075 are the most common structural grades), set your preferred dimension unit (mm, cm, m, inches, or feet), and enter the relevant dimensions. Set the number of identical pieces if you are ordering in bulk, pick a weight unit, and optionally enter a price per kilogram to get a total cost estimate. The weight and volume update as you type.
The formula behind the calculation
All weight estimates use the same fundamental relationship: mass = volume x density. Volume is calculated from the entered dimensions using the geometric formula for the chosen profile. For a rectangular piece (sheet, plate, or flat bar) the volume is length x width x thickness. For a round rod it is pi x r^2 x length. For a hollow tube it is pi x (r_outer^2 - r_inner^2) x length. A hexagonal bar uses (3*sqrt(3)/2) x (A/2)^2 x length, where A is the across-flats dimension. The calculated volume in cubic metres is then multiplied by the alloy density in kg/m^3 to get mass in kilograms, which is then converted to your chosen weight unit.
Choosing the right alloy
The eighteen alloys in this tool cover the most widely stocked grades. The 1xxx series (1050, 1100) is almost pure aluminum, soft and highly formable, used in food and chemical equipment. The 2xxx series (2011, 2014, 2024) is alloyed primarily with copper for high strength, but has lower corrosion resistance and is mainly used in aerospace. The 3xxx series (3003) adds manganese for moderate strength with good workability, common in sheet metal and cooking utensils. The 5xxx series (5052, 5056, 5083, 5086) is magnesium-alloyed for excellent corrosion resistance, preferred in marine and pressure-vessel applications. The 6xxx series (6061, 6063) is the workhorse of structural extrusions: good strength, good corrosion resistance, and readily weldable. The 7xxx series (7050, 7075) is alloyed with zinc for the highest strength, used in aircraft structures and precision mold plate. For density estimation purposes, the difference between alloys is small (roughly 2640 to 2830 kg/m^3), but using the correct grade avoids systematic error in large orders.
Unit conversion and cost estimation
This calculator outputs weight in kilograms, pounds, metric tons, or ounces. Switching the weight unit recalculates both the per-piece and total weight instantly. The optional cost field accepts a price per kilogram; entering it multiplies the total weight in kilograms by that price to give a rough material cost in US dollars. This is a first-pass estimate only, because real quotes include form, temper, cut tolerances, and supplier markup. If you are working from a supplier sheet with price per pound or per foot, convert that to price per kilogram first (1 lb = 0.4536 kg) before entering it here.
Common aluminum alloy densities
| Alloy | Density (kg/m³) | Typical uses |
|---|---|---|
| Average aluminum | 2700 | Generic estimating |
| 1050 | 2705 | Chemical plant, food equipment |
| 1100 | 2710 | Sheet metal, heat exchangers |
| 2011 | 2830 | Screw machine products |
| 2014 | 2800 | Aircraft structures, forgings |
| 2024 | 2780 | Airframe, structural panels |
| 3003 | 2730 | General sheet, cooking utensils |
| 5052 | 2680 | Marine, pressure vessels |
| 5056 | 2640 | Cable sheathing, rivets |
| 5083 | 2660 | Shipbuilding, cryogenic tanks |
| 5086 | 2660 | Marine structures |
| 6061 | 2700 | Structural, extrusions, bridges |
| 6063 | 2690 | Architectural extrusions |
| 7050 | 2830 | Aerospace thick plate |
| 7075 | 2810 | High-strength aircraft, molds |
Densities from The Aluminum Association and ASM International. Values are nominal; lot-to-lot variation is typically within +/-0.5%.
Frequently asked questions
What is the density of aluminum?
The density of commercially pure or average aluminum is approximately 2700 kg/m^3 (2.70 g/cm^3, or about 0.098 lb/in^3). Specific alloys range from roughly 2640 kg/m^3 (5056) to 2830 kg/m^3 (2011, 7050). The density is virtually unchanged by temper (annealing, aging, or cold working).
How do I calculate the weight of an aluminum sheet?
Multiply the length, width, and thickness in metres to get volume in cubic metres. Then multiply by the alloy density (2700 kg/m^3 for standard aluminum). For example, a 1000 mm x 500 mm x 6 mm sheet of 6061: volume = 1.0 x 0.5 x 0.006 = 0.003 m^3; weight = 0.003 x 2700 = 8.1 kg.
Is aluminum lighter than steel?
Yes. Steel has a density of approximately 7850 kg/m^3, roughly 2.9 times denser than aluminum (2700 kg/m^3). The same volume of aluminum weighs about one-third as much as the same volume of steel. When comparing structural performance you also need to consider that aluminum has a lower Young modulus (70 GPa vs. 200 GPa for steel) and lower yield strength for unalloyed grades, though 7xxx aerospace alloys approach mild steel strength.
Which alloy is best for structural use?
6061-T6 is the most common general-purpose structural alloy: yield strength around 276 MPa, good weldability, good corrosion resistance, and widely available in bar, tube, angle, and channel extrusions. Where higher strength is needed and welding is not required, 7075-T6 (yield 503 MPa) is preferred. For marine environments the 5xxx series (5052, 5083) offers better corrosion resistance.
Why does my calculated weight differ from the supplier quote?
Suppliers may apply a standard mill tolerance of plus or minus 0.5% on thickness, a theoretical weight that rounds differently, or they may be quoting by the foot rather than by precise cut length. Alloy density also varies slightly between lots. For large orders, request the certified material test report (CMTR) which lists the actual density of that heat.
How do I find the weight of an aluminum tube?
Compute the area of the annular cross-section as pi/4 x (OD^2 - ID^2), where OD is the outer diameter and ID is the inner diameter (OD minus twice the wall thickness). Multiply by the length to get volume, then multiply by the alloy density. This calculator does this automatically when you select the round tube shape and enter the outer diameter and wall thickness.