How to Calculate Pipe Weight per Meter
Pipe weight per meter is calculated from the pipe’s outside diameter, wall thickness, and material density. This value is required for structural support design, transportation planning, and procurement cost estimation on piping projects.
Pipe Weight Formula
W = (OD - t) x t x 0.02466 x density factor
Where:
| Symbol | Parameter | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| W | Weight per meter | kg/m |
| OD | Outside diameter | mm |
| t | Wall thickness | mm |
| 0.02466 | Constant (derived from pi x density of carbon steel / 1000) | - |
| Density factor | 1.0 for carbon steel (7.85 g/cm3); 1.015 for SS 304/316 (7.97 g/cm3) | - |
The constant 0.02466 is specific to carbon steel with a density of 7.85 g/cm3. For other materials, multiply by the ratio of the material’s density to 7.85.
An alternative universal formula is:
W = pi/4 x (OD2 - ID2) x density / 1,000,000
Where OD and ID are in mm, density is in kg/m3 (7,850 for carbon steel), and W is in kg/m.
Weight Table: Carbon Steel Pipes (SCH 40 and SCH 80)
| NPS | OD (mm) | SCH 40 t (mm) | SCH 40 Weight (kg/m) | SCH 80 t (mm) | SCH 80 Weight (kg/m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/2 | 21.3 | 2.77 | 1.27 | 3.73 | 1.62 |
| 3/4 | 26.7 | 2.87 | 1.69 | 3.91 | 2.20 |
| 1 | 33.4 | 3.38 | 2.50 | 4.55 | 3.24 |
| 1-1/2 | 48.3 | 3.68 | 4.05 | 5.08 | 5.41 |
| 2 | 60.3 | 3.91 | 5.44 | 5.54 | 7.48 |
| 3 | 88.9 | 5.49 | 11.29 | 7.62 | 15.27 |
| 4 | 114.3 | 6.02 | 16.07 | 8.56 | 22.32 |
| 6 | 168.3 | 7.11 | 28.26 | 10.97 | 42.56 |
| 8 | 219.1 | 8.18 | 42.55 | 12.70 | 64.64 |
| 10 | 273.1 | 9.27 | 60.31 | 15.09 | 96.01 |
| 12 | 323.9 | 10.31 | 79.73 | 17.48 | 132.08 |
| 16 | 406.4 | 12.70 | 123.30 | 21.44 | 203.53 |
| 20 | 508.0 | 15.09 | 183.42 | 26.19 | 311.17 |
| 24 | 610.0 | 17.48 | 255.41 | 30.96 | 441.49 |
Values per ASME B36.10 for carbon steel (density 7.85 g/cm3).
Worked Example
Calculate the weight of NPS 6, SCH 40, ASTM A106 Gr. B pipe:
- OD = 168.3 mm, t = 7.11 mm
- W = (168.3 - 7.11) x 7.11 x 0.02466
- W = 161.19 x 7.11 x 0.02466
- W = 28.26 kg/m
For a 6-meter random length: 28.26 x 6 = 169.6 kg per pipe
Material Density Factors
| Material | Density (g/cm3) | Factor vs Carbon Steel |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon steel (A106, A333, API 5L) | 7.85 | 1.000 |
| Stainless 304/304L | 7.97 | 1.015 |
| Stainless 316/316L | 7.99 | 1.018 |
| Duplex 2205 | 7.80 | 0.994 |
| Alloy 625 (Inconel) | 8.44 | 1.075 |
| Copper-Nickel 90/10 | 8.90 | 1.134 |
For complete pipe size and wall thickness data across all schedules, refer to the ASME B36.10 reference tables.
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