Material Density Table - Reference Data

The table below presents detailed density values for various materials used for manufacturing pipes and profiles and utilized in our calculator. Precise density values are key to obtaining accurate weight calculation results:

Material	Density (kg/m³)	Characteristics
Plain Steel (carbon)	7850	Most popular construction material, high strength, good weldability
Stainless Steel	7930	Increased corrosion resistance, used in aggressive environments
Aluminum	2700	Lightweight metal, good corrosion resistance, high strength-to-weight ratio
Copper	8930	Excellent electrical and thermal conductivity, used in installations
Brass	8500	Copper and zinc alloy, good machinability, corrosion resistance

How is pipe and profile weight calculated? - Calculation Methodology

Our calculator uses precise mathematical formulas to calculate the weight of different types of pipes and profiles. Depending on the selected type, appropriate formulas are used:

Round Pipes

The weight of a round pipe is calculated based on the formula:

Weight = π × (D² - d²) / 4 × L × ρ

where:

π (pi) - mathematical constant approx. 3.14159
D - outer diameter of the pipe [m]
d - inner diameter of the pipe [m] (d = D - 2t, where t is wall thickness)
L - length of the pipe [m]
ρ - material density [kg/m³]

Square Profiles

The weight of a square profile is calculated based on the formula:

Weight = (a² - (a - 2t)²) × L × ρ

where:

a - outer side dimension of the square profile [m]
t - wall thickness of the profile [m]
L - length of the profile [m]
ρ - material density [kg/m³]

Rectangular Profiles

The weight of a rectangular profile is calculated based on the formula:

Weight = (a × b - (a - 2t) × (b - 2t)) × L × ρ

where:

a - outer width of the rectangular profile [m]
b - outer height of the rectangular profile [m]
t - wall thickness of the profile [m]
L - length of the profile [m]
ρ - material density [kg/m³]

Calculation Examples

Example 1: Steel Pipe

Data:

Outer diameter: 60.3 mm (0.0603 m)
Wall thickness: 3.6 mm (0.0036 m)
Length: 6000 mm (6 m)
Material: plain steel (7850 kg/m³)

Calculation:

Inner diameter: d = D - 2t = 0.0603 - 2 × 0.0036 = 0.0531 m
Weight = π × (0.0603² - 0.0531²) / 4 × 6 × 7850
Weight = 3.14159 × (0.00364 - 0.00282) / 4 × 6 × 7850
Weight = 3.14159 × 0.00082 / 4 × 6 × 7850
Weight = 30.32 kg

Example 2: Square Aluminum Profile

Data:

Side dimension: 40 mm (0.04 m)
Wall thickness: 2 mm (0.002 m)
Length: 3000 mm (3 m)
Material: aluminum (2700 kg/m³)

Calculation:

Weight = (0.04² - (0.04 - 2 × 0.002)²) × 3 × 2700
Weight = (0.0016 - (0.036)²) × 3 × 2700
Weight = (0.0016 - 0.001296) × 3 × 2700
Weight = 0.000304 × 3 × 2700
Weight = 2.46 kg

Applications of Pipes and Profiles - Industries and Use Cases

Pipes and profiles find wide application in many industrial and construction sectors. Below are the main areas of use for each type:

Round Pipes

Round pipes are the most commonly used type of profile and are used in:

Water and sanitary installations - transport of drinking water, sewage
Gas installations - transport of natural gas, propane, butane
Heating installations - central heating systems, heat exchangers
Chemical industry - transport of chemical substances, reactors
Tubular structures - scaffolding, handrails, railings
Furniture and equipment - frames, furniture legs, handles

Square and Rectangular Profiles

Hollow sections with rectangular and square cross-sections are commonly used in:

Steel structures - frames, trusses, reinforcements
Industrial halls - load-bearing elements, columns, beams
Construction - lightweight structures, roofing, platforms
Automotive industry - vehicle frames, reinforcements
Gates and fences - frames, posts, structural elements
Industrial furniture - shelves, workbenches, carts

Special Profiles

Profiles with special cross-sectional shapes are used in:

Aluminum structures - modular systems, rails
Window and door joinery - frames, jambs
Exhibition systems - stands, displays
Furniture industry - functional profiles, drawers
Photovoltaics and RES - mounting systems, racks
Advertising industry - lightboxes, frames, support structures

Main industries using pipes and profiles

Construction

Load-bearing structures, installations, ventilation systems, reinforcements, railings, scaffolding

Industry

Machinery and equipment, technological lines, support structures, pressure vessels

Installations

Water supply, sewage, heating, air conditioning, gas networks, fire protection systems

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Comprehensive Information

We have gathered answers to the most frequently asked questions about pipes, profiles, and their weight calculations. If you don't find the answer to your question here, please contact us directly.

The main differences between welded and seamless pipes are:

Production method: Welded pipes are made by rolling steel strip and joining it longitudinally by welding, while seamless pipes are made by extruding or drawing solid-state.
Strength: Seamless pipes generally have higher strength, especially under bending and pressure loads, as they do not have a weld that could be a potential point of weakness.
Applications: Seamless pipes are preferred in applications requiring high strength and safety, such as transporting gases and liquids under high pressure, while welded pipes are commonly used in less demanding structural applications.
Cost: Seamless pipes are usually more expensive than welded pipes due to the more complex manufacturing process.

Both versions have similar weight for the same dimensions, so our calculator can be used to calculate the weight of both types of pipes.

The most common standard lengths of pipes and profiles available commercially are:

3000 mm (3 meters) - popular length for structural profiles
6000 mm (6 meters) - most common length, standard in most applications
12000 mm (12 meters) - length for special applications, less commonly available

Some manufacturers also offer other lengths, usually ranging from 4 to 8 meters, depending on the profile type and material. Many warehouses also offer a cutting service, allowing the purchase of elements of the exact required length, which minimizes waste.

When planning a project, it is worth considering standard lengths to minimize costs and waste. Our calculator allows calculating the weight of pipes and profiles of any length, which facilitates planning purchases and transport.

Choosing the correct wall thickness for a pipe or profile depends on many factors:

Loads - the greater the planned loads, the thicker the wall should be.
Type of application:
- For domestic water installations, wall thicknesses of 1.5-2.0 mm are usually sufficient
- For load-bearing structures, a minimum of 2.0-3.0 mm is recommended
- For industrial and pressure installations, wall thicknesses of 3.0-5.0 mm are often needed
Span between supports - larger spans require thicker walls to avoid deflection.
Environmental conditions - in corrosive environments, it is worth using thicker walls to account for gradual thinning over time.
Regulations and standards - many applications, especially in gas and pressure installations, have minimum requirements specified by standards.

For structural and installation applications critical to safety, it is always advisable to consult a structural engineer or installer who can help determine the correct wall thickness based on strength calculations.

The weight of pipes and profiles provided by manufacturers:

Is usually the theoretical weight, calculated based on nominal dimensions.
Dimensional tolerances can cause differences between theoretical and actual weight, usually within ±5%.
The largest impact on deviations comes from wall thickness tolerance, which can be up to ±10% for some types of pipes.
Technical standards, such as BS EN 10219 (for cold-formed profiles) or BS EN 10210 (for hot-formed profiles), specify permissible dimensional deviations.

When ordering larger quantities of material, it is worth considering these tolerances, especially if the material is billed by weight. Our calculator calculates the theoretical weight based on the provided nominal dimensions. For greater accuracy, especially for precise quotations, we recommend adding a margin of 2-5% to the calculated weight.

Pipes and profiles are available with various surface finishes, which affect their corrosion resistance, appearance, and properties:

Raw (black) - standard finish without protective coatings, requires anti-corrosion protection
Hot-dip galvanized - with a thick zinc layer applied by immersion in a bath, provides high corrosion resistance
Electro-galvanized - with a thinner zinc layer applied electrically, medium corrosion resistance
Powder-coated - covered with a layer of powder paint, available in various colors, improves corrosion resistance and aesthetics
Brushed - with a matte, brushed surface, popular for stainless steel in decorative applications
Polished - with a glossy surface, mainly for stainless steel in decorative applications
Anodized - for aluminum profiles, increases corrosion resistance and allows coloring

The surface finish may slightly increase the weight of the element (especially for hot-dip galvanizing), but the difference is usually small enough not to require consideration in weight calculations for most practical applications.

Practical Application Examples - Weight Calculations for Real Projects

Below are specific examples of using pipes and profiles in various projects, along with weight calculations and selection of appropriate elements:

Example 1: Water Supply Installation

Scenario: Internal water supply installation in a single-family house.

Required data:

Galvanized welded pipes: 33.7×3.2 mm (1")
Total installation length: 48 m
Material: galvanized steel (7850 kg/m³)

Calculations:

Outer diameter: 33.7 mm (0.0337 m)
Wall thickness: 3.2 mm (0.0032 m)
Inner diameter: 33.7 - 2×3.2 = 27.3 mm (0.0273 m)
Cross-sectional area: π×(0.0337² - 0.0273²)/4 = 0.000304 m²
Material volume: 0.000304×48 = 0.014592 m³
Weight: 0.014592×7850 = 114.55 kg

Application: Accurate weight calculation allows for planning material transport to the installation site and estimating the material costs of the installation.

Example 2: Railing Frame

Scenario: Making a railing frame for a terrace 8 m long.

Required data:

Square profiles: 40×40×2 mm
Total profile length: 8 m (top rail) + 8 m (bottom rail) + 9×1 m (vertical posts) = 25 m
Material: plain steel (7850 kg/m³)

Calculations:

Side dimension: 40 mm (0.04 m)
Wall thickness: 2 mm (0.002 m)
Cross-sectional area: (0.04² - (0.04 - 2*0.002)²) = (0.0016 - 0.036²) = 0.000304 m² (Corrected formula: (0.04² - (0.04 - 2*0.002)²))
Material volume: 0.000304×25 = 0.0076 m³
Weight: 0.0076×7850 = 59.66 kg (Using corrected area from (0.04^2 - (0.04-0.004)^2) * 25 * 7850)

Application: Knowing the weight of the structure allows for selecting appropriate mounting elements and determining if the structure requires additional reinforcements.

Pipes and Profiles Weight and Cost Calculator - Precise Metal Material Calculations