How to Calculate Steel Pipe Weight per Meter (Formula & Chart)
Whether you are budgeting freight, sizing a crane or comparing quotes, you need an accurate steel pipe weight per meter. Here is the exact method, with worked examples and the mistakes that cost buyers money.
The Formula
For a round seamless pipe, the theoretical weight per meter (kg/m) is:
W (kg/m) = (OD - WT) × WT × 0.0246615
Where:
- OD = outside diameter (mm)
- WT = wall thickness (mm)
- 0.0246615 is a combined constant for carbon steel (density ≈ 7.85 g/cm³)
Worked Example
Take an API 5L pipe: OD 219.1 mm, WT 12.7 mm.
- (219.1 − 12.7) = 206.4
- 206.4 × 12.7 = 2621.28
- 2621.28 × 0.0246615 = 64.6 kg/m
For a 12 m length, that is 64.6 × 12 = 775.2 kg per pipe.
Quick Reference Chart (kg/m)
| OD (mm) | WT 6 mm | WT 8 mm | WT 10 mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| 114.3 | 16.02 | 20.97 | 25.72 |
| 168.3 | 24.02 | 31.62 | 39.04 |
| 219.1 | 31.53 | 41.65 | 51.57 |
| 273.1 | 39.52 | 52.31 | 64.89 |
Values rounded to two decimals for reference only.
Common Mistakes
- Wrong unit: formula works in millimetres only. If your supplier quotes inches, convert first (1 in = 25.4 mm).
- Wrong density: stainless steel (≈7.93 g/cm³) uses 0.02491 instead of 0.0246615. Alloy and low-temperature carbon steels are close to the carbon value.
- Ignoring tolerances: ASTM/GB wall-thickness tolerances mean the actual weight can differ by ±8–10%. For freight billing, use the actual weighed tonnage, not the theoretical figure.
- Counting the coupling: for threaded pipe, account for coupling weight if the order is quoted with couplings.
Weight × Quantity = Total Tonnage
Export quotes are almost always priced per metric ton. Multiply the per-meter weight by the total length:
Total weight (t) = W (kg/m) × total length (m) ÷ 1000
For an order of 3,000 m of 219.1 × 12.7 mm pipe: 64.6 × 3000 ÷ 1000 = 193.8 metric tons
Get an Accurate Quote
Xbang Supply (山东信邦金属材料有限公司) supplies API 5L, ASTM A106/A53, alloy, stainless and low-temperature seamless pipes in metric sizes, quoted per metric ton with mill certificates. Send your OD, WT, grade and length, and we will confirm weight and price within 24 hours.
