Pipe Weight Calculator
Enter the outer diameter, wall thickness and length of any pipe, choose a material from the built-in list (or enter a custom density), and the calculator returns the total pipe weight, the linear weight per unit length, the metal volume, and the weight of water (or any fluid) filling that pipe. Switch between metric and imperial units at any time.
What is the pipe weight formula?
The pipe weight formula relies on the geometry of a hollow cylinder. First, calculate the inner diameter (ID = OD - 2 x wall thickness). The cross-sectional area of the pipe wall is then the annular ring: A = (PI/4) x (OD² - ID²). Multiply that area by the pipe length to get the metal volume, and multiply the volume by the material density to get the mass. In practical shorthand, the formula for carbon steel pipe weight per metre is W/m = 0.02466 x (OD - wt) x wt, where OD and wall thickness (wt) are both in millimetres. For imperial units, the equivalent approximation is W/ft = 10.68 x (OD - wt) x wt with OD and wt in inches, giving pounds per foot. This calculator uses the full geometry formula and works for any material density, not just steel.
How to use this calculator
Choose metric or imperial units, then select a material from the drop-down or choose "Custom density" and enter your own value. Enter the outer diameter, wall thickness, and total pipe length. If you are costing or ordering multiple pipes of the same size, increase the quantity. Enable "Include fluid weight" to also estimate the weight of liquid inside a flooded pipe (water is 1,000 kg/m³, diesel is roughly 850 kg/m³, crude oil is around 870 kg/m³). The results update instantly: you get total weight, linear density (weight per metre or per foot), metal volume, inner diameter, bore cross-section area, and, if the fluid option is on, fluid weight and combined filled weight. The "weight vs length" chart below the results lets you quickly read off the weight for any pipe run length.
Pipe schedule and standard dimensions
Pipe schedules (Sch 5, 10, 20, 40, 80, 120, 160, and XXS) define the wall thickness for each nominal pipe size. For example, a 4-inch (DN100) Schedule 40 carbon steel pipe has an OD of 114.3 mm and a wall thickness of 6.02 mm, giving a linear weight of about 16.1 kg/m. The same pipe in Schedule 80 has a 8.56 mm wall and weighs about 22.3 kg/m. You can look up the OD and wall thickness for any size and schedule in ASME B36.10M (welded and seamless wrought steel pipe) or ASME B36.19M (stainless steel pipe) and enter those values here. For PVC pressure pipe, refer to ASTM D1785 or ISO 4422.
Why pipe weight matters for engineering and logistics
Knowing the weight of a pipe run is essential for several engineering tasks. For structural design, it determines the dead load on hangers, brackets, and supports, and affects the span distance between support points. In lifting and installation planning, the weight governs crane and rigging capacity, especially for offshore and large-diameter pipelines. In transport and procurement, pipe weight drives freight costs and how many lengths fit on a truck or vessel. For buried pipelines, the combined weight of the pipe, contents, and coating influences whether buoyancy is a risk in high groundwater areas and whether anti-buoyancy measures (concrete coating or anchors) are needed.
Common pipe material densities
| Material | Density (kg/m³) | Density (lb/ft³) |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon steel | 7,850 | 489.8 |
| Stainless steel | 8,000 | 499.2 |
| Mild steel | 7,860 | 490.7 |
| Wrought iron | 7,750 | 483.8 |
| Cast iron | 7,200 | 449.4 |
| Copper | 8,960 | 559.3 |
| Brass | 8,550 | 533.7 |
| Aluminum | 2,700 | 168.6 |
| PVC | 1,380 | 86.1 |
| Water (fluid) | 1,000 | 62.4 |
| Diesel (fluid) | 850 | 53.1 |
Standard reference densities used in pipe weight calculations.
Frequently asked questions
What is the formula for pipe weight per metre?
For any material, the formula is: weight per metre = (PI/4) x (OD² - ID²) x density, where OD and ID are in metres and density is in kg/m³. For carbon steel specifically, the simplified version is W/m = 0.02466 x (OD - wt) x wt, where OD and wall thickness (wt) are both in millimetres. This approximation is accurate to within 1% for standard pipe dimensions.
How do I find the inner diameter if I only know the schedule?
Look up the nominal pipe size and schedule in ASME B36.10M or B36.19M to get the published outer diameter and wall thickness, then calculate ID = OD - 2 x wall thickness. For example, a 6-inch Schedule 40 pipe has OD = 168.3 mm and wall thickness = 7.11 mm, giving ID = 168.3 - 14.22 = 154.08 mm.
Does the calculator work for non-steel materials?
Yes. The full geometry formula works for any material. The calculator includes built-in densities for carbon steel, stainless steel, mild steel, wrought iron, cast iron, aluminum, copper, brass, and PVC. You can also enter a custom density for any other material, such as HDPE, titanium, or duplex stainless steel.
How do I calculate the weight of water or fluid inside a pipe?
Enable the "Include fluid weight" toggle and enter the fluid density (water = 1,000 kg/m³, diesel = 850 kg/m³, crude oil = 870 kg/m³). The calculator computes the bore cross-sectional area (PI/4 x ID²), multiplies by length and fluid density to get fluid mass, and adds it to the pipe metal weight to give the total flooded weight.
Why does pipe weight matter for pipeline supports?
Pipe supports must carry the weight of the pipe, the fluid inside, any insulation or cladding, and dynamic loads from vibration or thermal expansion. Underestimating weight leads to under-designed supports and potential failure. Support spacing tables are based on linear pipe weight (kg/m), so the weight-per-metre output of this calculator feeds directly into span calculations.
Can I use this for PVC or plastic pipe?
Yes. Select PVC from the material drop-down (density 1,380 kg/m³) or enter the density of your specific plastic. Because plastic pipe is much lighter than steel, the weight differences between schedules matter less, but the calculator is equally accurate for CPVC, ABS, or HDPE if you enter the correct density.