Choose U-channel dimensions or enter your own. See the weight of one piece and the whole batch.
How to use the U-channel calculator?
1
Select a standard profile or enter custom dimensions
From the "Profile dimensions" list, select a standard U-channel
profile or "Custom dimensions". For custom dimensions, fill in the
"Height", "Width" (flange width), "Web thickness" and "Flange
thickness" fields.
2
Select material
From the "Material" list, select the material the U-channel is made
of: steel, stainless steel, aluminium, copper, brass or titanium. For
another material, choose "Custom density" and enter it in the
"Density" field.
3
Enter U-channel length
Enter the length of the U-channel in the "Length" field, in
millimeters or, in US/imperial mode, in inches.
4
Enter quantity and price
If you are calculating the weight for multiple identical U-channels,
enter the number of pieces in the "Quantity" field. The default value
is 1.
Optionally, you can enter the material price in the "Price per kg"
field ("Price per lb" in US/imperial mode) to calculate the total
cost.
5
Calculate the result
Click the "Calculate" button to get the result. The result also
updates automatically when you change the inputs. The calculator will
display the weight in kilograms or pounds, according to the selected
unit system, and the cost (if a price is provided) for all specified
pieces.
You can copy the result to the clipboard by clicking the "Copy result"
button.
How is U-channel weight calculated?
U-channel weight formula
The weight of a U-channel is calculated using the following formula:
Weight = (h × s + 2 × b × t - 2 × s × t) × L × ρ
where:
h - U-channel height [m]
s - web thickness [m]
b - flange width [m]
t - flange thickness [m]
L - U-channel length [m]
ρ - material density [kg/m³]
Dimensions provided in millimeters are automatically converted to meters
during calculations.
Calculation Example
Let's calculate the weight of a steel U-channel with dimensions:
The table below shows standard density values for the most commonly used
materials. In practice, depending on the exact alloy composition, these
values may vary slightly.
Material
Density (kg/m³)
Plain Steel
7850
Stainless Steel
7930
Aluminium
2700
Copper
8960
Brass
8500
Cast Iron
7200
Lead
11340
Zinc
7140
Material cost versus fabrication cost
Material cost is total order weight multiplied by your price per kg or per lb. Divide a price per metric tonne by 1000 before using the metric price field. A US short ton is 2000 lb, so check which ton your quotation uses. Divide a quoted sheet price by its weight to compare suppliers on the same basis. This tool does not fetch current steel prices or exchange rates. Cutting, bending, welding, finishing, delivery and tax are separate items. If you must buy whole stock lengths or sheets, include the unused material in the purchasing budget.
U-channel weight from outside dimensions
Use separate web thickness tw and flange thickness tf for the ideal U-section: A = 2 × b × tf + (h − 2 × tf) × tw. Height h and flange width b are outside dimensions. For equal thicknesses tw = tf = 5 mm, a 100 × 50 mm section has 950 mm² of area and weighs approximately 7.458 kg/m.
The calculator accepts different web and flange thicknesses but omits flange taper and corner radii. Dimensions labelled C match UPN. CE and CGZ are example cross-section dimensions and are not assigned to a specific standard. Check the full designation and manufacturer’s catalogue weight when ordering. Weight alone does not establish load capacity.
Theoretical weight reference: 100 × 50 × 5 mm
Fixed examples for carbon steel at an assumed density of 7850 kg/m³, not every steel grade. The table does not change with the calculator’s material selection. For stainless steel or other metals, use the appropriate density in the calculator. Cross-section dimensions are in mm; coatings, corner radii and tolerances are excluded. These are geometric estimates, not manufacturer catalogue weights.
Carbon steel (7850 kg/m³), h = 100, b = 50, t = 5 mm
Length
Weight
1 m
7.458 kg
2 m
14.915 kg
3 m
22.373 kg
6 m
44.745 kg
Compare dimensions: weight per metre and per 6 m length
Compare dimensions: weight per metre and per 6 m length: Carbon steel (7850 kg/m³)
Section and outside dimensions (mm)height × flange width × thickness
Weight / 1 m
Weight / 6 m
U-section · 50 × 25 × 3
2.214 kg
13.282 kg
U-section · 100 × 50 × 5
7.458 kg
44.745 kg
U-section · 150 × 75 × 6
13.565 kg
81.389 kg
Check this worked example
A = t × (h + 2b − 2t)
950 mm² × 0.00785 = 7.458 kg/m
Calculation method and comparison sources
Weight is calculated from cross-sectional area, length and the selected nominal density. The tables above are fixed examples for the material and density shown in each table; changing the calculator’s material does not change them.
NIST - SI units of length - explains millimetres and metres: 1000 mm = 1 m. Dimensions must use consistent units before calculating volume.
ArcelorMittal Orange Book - section catalogue - provides dimensions and weight per metre for specific rolled sections. Compare the matching designation with the geometric estimate; corner radii and flange shape can cause differences. This is a comparison reference, not the source of the values in these tables.
UPN channel catalogue weight examples
This table gives manufacturer catalogue weights for 1 metre of UPN channel
from ArcelorMittal Orange Book. The calculator uses a rectangular model
without flange taper or radii, so its calculated weight can differ.
Dimensions labelled C match UPN, not UPE.
Designation
Dimensions h×b×s×t (mm)
Catalogue weight (kg/m)
UPN 65
65×42×5.5×7.5
7.1
UPN 80
80×45×6×8
8.6
UPN 100
100×50×6×8.5
10.6
UPN 120
120×55×7×9
13.4
UPN 140
140×60×7×10
16.0
UPN 160
160×65×7.5×10.5
18.8
UPN 180
180×70×8×11
22.0
UPN 200
200×75×8.5×11.5
25.3
Source:
ArcelorMittal Orange Book - UPN. Confirm the series and supplier data when ordering; the actual delivered
weight can differ from catalogue weight.
U-channel Applications - Industries and Use Cases
U-channels are versatile structural profiles used in many fields of industry
and construction. Below are the main areas of U-channel application:
Construction
In construction, U-channels play a key role as:
Load-bearing elements - beams, lintels, joists
Support structures - brackets, consoles,
reinforcements
In the transport industry, U-channels are used in the production of:
Commercial vehicles - body frames, reinforcements
Trailers and semi-trailers - load-bearing structures,
chassis
Containers - skeletons, corner reinforcements
Transport infrastructure - railings, safety barriers
Rail transport vehicles - wagon elements, platforms
Specific applications by U-channel type
Taper flange channels (UPN; dimensions labelled C)
Load-bearing and support structures, beams, lintels, elements of
industrial halls, structural reinforcements
Channels with thinner walls (CE examples)
Lighter structures, less loaded elements, shelving systems, supports
for finishing elements
Cold-formed channel geometry (CGZ)
Facade substructures, lightweight constructions, frames, fences,
gates, elements of industrial furniture
Advanced Calculations for Steel U-channels and Other Materials
A professional U-channel calculator is an essential tool for engineers,
designers, contractors, and metalworking companies. Our tool allows for
quick and precise calculation of the weight and costs of U-channels made
from various materials.
Why use a U-channel calculator?
Precise material cost estimation - accurate weight
calculations allow for determining exact material purchase costs
Logistics planning - knowing the weight facilitates
transport organization and selection of appropriate transport means
Structural design - weight data is necessary for static
calculations and design
Offer and quote calculation - precise weight and cost
data allow for creating competitive and realistic offers
Accurate calculations for various materials
Our calculator considers differences in material densities, allowing for
accurate weight calculations for:
Plain and stainless steel U-channels
Aluminium U-channels
Copper and brass U-channels
U-channels made from other materials (option to enter custom density)
Using catalog data
Some manufacturers provide tables with approximate weight values for
standard U-channel dimensions. Our calculator allows for verifying this data
and calculating weights for non-standard dimensions not found in catalogs.
Applications of U-channels in various industries
U-channels are widely used in many industries due to their structural
properties:
Construction - as elements of load-bearing structures,
frames, substructures
Industry - in machines, equipment, and production lines
Transport - in the construction of vehicles, wagons,
containers
Energy - in support structures for poles, transmission
lines
Agriculture - in the construction of agricultural
machinery and equipment, greenhouse and barn structures
Thanks to our calculator, you can quickly and accurately calculate the
weight of U-channels needed for your project, which will help in budget
planning, material procurement, and logistics.
Frequently Asked Questions about U-channels
U-channels are commonly used in various industries and construction:
Steel structures and frames
Substructures for sandwich panels
Reinforcements for beams and load-bearing elements
Elements of furniture and industrial equipment
Supports and beams in construction
Structures in the automotive industry
U-channels are produced in various dimensions according to
standards. The most popular dimensions for hot-rolled steel
U-channels are:
Taper flange channels (UPN): UPN 50 to UPN 400
Parallel flange channels (UPE): UPE 80 to UPE 400 (height in mm)
The designation of a U-channel (e.g., UPE 100 or C100) usually
indicates its height in millimeters. Detailed dimensions can be
found in manufacturer catalogs or technical standards.
U-channel weight is important in structural design for several
reasons:
Static calculations - element weight affects the
dead load of the structure
Transport costs - heavier elements generate
higher logistics costs
Assembly - may require specialized equipment for
heavier elements
Material costs - accurate weight calculation
allows for precise cost estimation
Therefore, it is important to accurately calculate the weight of
U-channels before purchasing materials for a project.
U-channels and angle bars are two different steel profiles,
differing in shape and application:
U-channel - has a C-shaped cross-section,
consisting of one web and two flanges on the same side of the web
Angle bar - has an L-shaped cross-section,
consisting of two legs arranged at a 90-degree angle
U-channels have higher strength indicators in specific directions,
making them more often used as load-bearing elements, while angle
bars are often used as connecting or reinforcing elements.
Yes, U-channels can be produced from various materials depending on
their intended use:
Plain steel (structural) - the most common material
Stainless steel - for applications in corrosive environments
Aluminium - when low weight and corrosion resistance are important