How To Calculate Pipe Weight Per Foot And Per Meter

Pipe weight measures the mass of an empty pipe per unit length (pounds per foot or kilograms per meter). It depends on outside diameter, wall thickness, and material density. Use the pipe weight calculator to quickly determine unit and total weights for various pipe schedules and lengths.

Carbon Steel Pipe Weight Formulas

For carbon steel pipes (density approximately 490 lb/ft³ or 7,850 kg/m³), standard formulas simplify cross-sectional area and material density into single constants:

Imperial Units (Pounds per Foot)

Weight (lb/ft) = 10.69 × WT × (OD − WT) (where OD and WT are in inches)

Metric Units (Kilograms per Meter)

Weight (kg/m) = 0.02466 × WT × (OD − WT) (where OD and WT are in millimeters)

Step-by-Step Calculation Procedure

1. Obtain exact outside diameter (OD) in inches (e.g., 6.625 in for 6” nominal pipe).
2. Obtain wall thickness (WT) in inches (e.g., 0.280 in for Schedule 40).
3. Subtract wall thickness from outside diameter: (OD − WT).
4. Multiply by wall thickness: WT × (OD − WT).
5. Multiply by $10.69$ to get pounds per foot.
6. Multiply unit weight by total pipe length to get total weight.

Worked Example: 6” Schedule 40 Steel Pipe (40 Feet)

Suppose you have a 40-foot length of 6” Schedule 40 steel pipe (OD = 6.625 in, WT = 0.280 in):

1. Subtract Wall Thickness: 6.625 − 0.280 = 6.345 in.
2. Multiply by Wall Thickness: 0.280 × 6.345 = 1.7766 in².
3. Apply Steel Factor: 10.69 × 1.7766 = 18.99 lb/ft.
4. Calculate Total Weight: 18.99 lb/ft × 40 ft = 759.6 lb.

Result: The pipe weighs 18.99 lb/ft, and a 40-foot joint weighs 759.6 lb.

For additional fluid and piping calculations, visit the volumetric flow rate calculator and explore the engineering calculators hub.

Sources and Steel Standards

• NASPD (National Association of Steel Pipe Distributors) Pipe Weight Tables
• Octal Steel Weight Calculation Charts and Imperial Constants