Metal Calculator
This metal calculator handles weight, volume, and cost for the most common metal stock shapes: sheet/plate, round bar, square bar, round tube, square tube, and angle. Enter the dimensions and alloy and it returns weight in pounds and kilograms, volume, weight per linear foot, and estimated cost based on current price per pound. Used as a metal weight calculator, sheet metal weight calculator, or general estimating tool for shops, fabricators, and DIY builders.
How the Metal Calculator Works
The math is simple: Weight = Volume x Density. Volume depends on shape, density depends on alloy. This metal calculator applies the correct geometry for each shape automatically.
Shape-by-Shape Formulas
| Shape | Volume formula |
|---|---|
| Sheet / Plate | Length x Width x Thickness |
| Round bar | pi x (D/2)^2 x Length |
| Square bar | Side x Side x Length |
| Round tube | pi x ((D/2)^2 - ((D-2t)/2)^2) x Length |
| Square tube | (Side^2 - (Side-2t)^2) x Length |
| Equal angle | (2L - t) x t x Length |
Densities Used (lbs per cubic inch)
- Carbon Steel (A36 / 1018): 0.284
- Stainless Steel 304: 0.289
- Aluminum 6061: 0.098
- Copper: 0.323
- Brass: 0.307
- Titanium: 0.163
- Lead: 0.41
- Zinc: 0.258
Values come from ASM International density tables and the AISC Steel Construction Manual.
Sheet Metal Weight Calculator
The sheet metal weight calculator path handles plate, sheet, and flat bar. Enter length, width, and thickness. A common benchmark: a 4 ft x 8 ft x 1/4 inch steel plate (48 x 96 x 0.25 in) weighs 0.284 x 48 x 96 x 0.25 = 327 lbs. Gauge thickness reference:
- 10 gauge = 0.1345 in
- 12 gauge = 0.1046 in
- 14 gauge = 0.0747 in
- 16 gauge = 0.0598 in
- 20 gauge = 0.0359 in
Metal Calculator App vs Online
A metal calculator app (like Pipe Launch, SendCutSend, OnlineMetals) is handy on the job site, but an online metal calculator you can pull up in a browser handles the same math with no installation or updates. This tool supports every shape the leading metal calculator app and metal calculator apk downloads handle, including a metal calculator for PC in any browser.
Steel Weight per Foot (Reference)
| Size | Weight/foot |
|---|---|
| 1/2" round bar | 0.668 lbs |
| 1" round bar | 2.67 lbs |
| 2" round bar | 10.7 lbs |
| 1" square bar | 3.40 lbs |
| 2x2x1/4 angle | 3.19 lbs |
| 2" sch 40 pipe | 3.65 lbs |
| 4" sch 40 pipe | 10.79 lbs |
Typical Prices per Pound (2025)
- Carbon steel plate: $0.55-0.95/lb
- Stainless 304: $2.00-3.50/lb
- Aluminum 6061: $2.25-3.75/lb
- Copper: $4.00-5.50/lb
- Brass: $3.75-5.00/lb
- Titanium: $15-30/lb
Add 10 percent to your weight estimate for cutting waste.