# Metal Calculator

Free online metal calculator for weight, volume, and cost. Supports sheet metal, round bar, tube, square tube, and angle in steel, aluminum, copper, brass, stainless, and titanium.

## What this calculates

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.

## Inputs

- **Metal Type** — options: Carbon Steel (A36 / 1018), Stainless Steel (304), Aluminum (6061), Copper, Brass, Titanium, Lead, Zinc
- **Shape** — options: Sheet / Plate / Flat Bar, Round Bar, Square Bar, Round Tube / Pipe, Square Tube / HSS, Angle (equal leg) — Cross-section of the metal stock
- **Length** (in) — min 0.1 — Length of the piece
- **Width / Outer Diameter / Leg** (in) — min 0.01 — Width (sheet), outer diameter (round/tube), side (square), or leg (angle)
- **Thickness / Wall Thickness** (in) — min 0.001 — Sheet thickness, tube wall, or angle thickness. Ignored for round/square bars.
- **Number of Pieces** — min 1, max 10000
- **Price per Pound** ($) — min 0 — Leave blank to skip cost calculation. Steel spot is ~$0.60/lb in 2025.

## Outputs

- **Weight per Piece** (lbs)
- **Total Weight** (lbs)
- **Total Weight** (kg)
- **Total Volume** (in³)
- **Weight per Foot** (lbs/ft)
- **Estimated Cost** — formatted as currency

## Details

## 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.

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: How does a metal calculator compute weight?**

A: A metal calculator multiplies volume by density. Volume is derived from the shape (sheet, round, tube, square, angle) and dimensions. Density varies by alloy: steel 0.284 lbs/in³, aluminum 0.098, copper 0.323. Example: a 4x8-ft, 1/4-in steel plate = 48 x 96 x 0.25 x 0.284 = 327 lbs.

**Q: What is the best sheet metal weight calculator?**

A: A good sheet metal weight calculator needs precise alloy densities, supports gauge-to-inch conversion, and handles both imperial and metric. This online sheet metal calculator covers 8 alloys (steel, stainless, aluminum, copper, brass, titanium, lead, zinc) and 6 shapes, matching the dimensions you find on an OnlineMetals, SendCutSend, or MetalsDepot spec sheet.

**Q: Is there a metal calculator app for mobile?**

A: Yes, several metal calculator app options exist (Pipe Launch, iMetal, MetalsCalc) and many offer a metal calculator apk for Android. For a metal calculator for PC, use a browser-based tool like this one. The math is identical. Browser versions are typically more up-to-date with pricing references and handle more alloys without needing installation.

**Q: Why does my calculated weight differ from the supplier's?**

A: Suppliers use nominal dimensions (4x8 ft sheet = exactly 4x8), but actual sheets often run a fraction under. Also, gauge thickness has tolerances of +/-5-10%. If your calculator returns 327 lbs for a 1/4 inch plate and the supplier stamps it 324 lbs, both are correct within tolerance.

**Q: How do I convert metal calculator output from lbs to kg?**

A: Multiply pounds by 0.453592 to get kilograms, or divide kilograms by 0.453592 for pounds. This calculator shows both automatically. Example: 327 lbs x 0.453592 = 148.3 kg.

**Q: What if I need sheet metal gauge instead of inches?**

A: Convert gauge to inches first, then enter. Steel sheet gauges: 20 ga = 0.036, 18 ga = 0.048, 16 ga = 0.060, 14 ga = 0.075, 12 ga = 0.105, 10 ga = 0.135. Aluminum uses different gauges (thicker). Stainless follows the same chart as carbon steel.

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Source: https://vastcalc.com/calculators/construction/metal
Category: Construction
Last updated: 2026-04-08