Use This Stainless Steel Pipe Weight Chart and Calculator to estimate pipe
weight per metre, weight per foot and total weight from outside diameter,
wall thickness, length and stainless steel density.
Stainless Steel Pipe Weight is mainly determined by outside diameter, wall
thickness, pipe length and material density. For the same nominal size, a
thicker-wall or heavier-schedule pipe generally weighs more.
This guide explains the stainless steel pipe weight formula, schedule-based
weight calculation, theoretical weight per metre and the difference between
seamless and welded pipe weight. Chart values are estimates and should be
checked against the applicable product specification before procurement.
Stainless Steel Pipe Weight
Stainless steel pipe weight per metre can be estimated from the outside
diameter, wall thickness and material density. For a general stainless steel
calculation, use:
Weight (kg/m) = 0.02491 × T × (OD − T)
In this formula, OD and T are in millimetres. The exact coefficient depends on
the density of the stainless steel grade. For example, SS 304 and SS 316 may
use a coefficient close to 0.0249 when a density of approximately 7.93 to
8.00 g/cm³ is assumed.
To calculate total pipe weight:
Total Weight (kg) = Weight per Metre (kg/m) × Length (m)
Input
Example
Outside diameter
60.3 mm
Wall thickness
3.91 mm
Material
Stainless steel
Length
6 m
What Is a Stainless Steel Pipe Weight Chart?
A stainless steel pipe weight chart is a reference table showing the
theoretical weight of pipe according to nominal size, outside diameter, wall
thickness, schedule, length and material density.
Pipe weight is normally expressed as kilograms per metre (kg/m) or pounds per
foot (lb/ft). For the same outside diameter, increasing the wall thickness
generally increases the amount of stainless steel material and therefore the
pipe weight.
Weight charts support material estimation, transport planning, handling,
inventory control and preliminary project costing. They should not replace
the certified weight or dimensional information supplied with the pipe.
Parameter
Importance in Pipe Weight
Nominal Pipe Size
Identifies the standard pipe size and corresponding dimensions.
Outside Diameter
Influences the amount of stainless steel material used in the pipe.
Wall Thickness
A greater wall thickness generally results in higher pipe weight.
Schedule
Indicates the standardized wall thickness range for a given pipe size.
Pipe Length
Determines the total weight of the required pipe quantity.
Material Density
Grade-dependent density used to select the appropriate calculation
coefficient.
Stainless Steel Pipe Weight Calculator
Enter the outside diameter, wall thickness, pipe length and material density
to estimate stainless steel pipe weight per metre and total weight.
Example: SS 304/316 approximately 7,930–8,000 kg/m³. Use your approved
grade-specific value where precision is required.
Stainless Steel Pipe Weight Formula
The general stainless steel pipe weight formula uses outside diameter, wall
thickness and material density:
Weight (kg/m) =
π × [OD2 − (OD − 2T)2] × Density
÷ 4,000,000
When OD and T are in millimetres and density is in kg/m³, the result is
weight in kilograms per metre.
A commonly used simplified form is:
Weight (kg/m) = C × T × (OD − T)
Here, C is a material-dependent coefficient. The value
0.02466 is commonly associated with carbon steel at about
7,850 kg/m³. Stainless steel requires a coefficient based on the selected
grade density, commonly around 0.0249 to 0.0251 for many
austenitic stainless-steel calculations.
Symbol
Meaning
Unit
OD
Outside diameter
mm
T
Wall thickness
mm
Density
Density of the selected stainless steel grade
kg/m³
C
Material-specific calculation coefficient
—
Total pipe weight is calculated as:
Total Weight (kg) = Weight per Metre (kg/m) × Length (m)
Stainless Steel Pipe Size & Dimensions Chart
Stainless steel pipe dimensions are generally identified using nominal pipe size (NPS), outside diameter, wall thickness, schedule and length. These dimensions determine the physical size of the pipe and are also important when calculating its theoretical weight.
The nominal pipe size is a standardized designation and does not always represent the actual outside diameter. The actual outside diameter and wall thickness should therefore be checked against the applicable dimensional standard.
Dimension
Description
Nominal Pipe Size (NPS)
Standard designation used to identify the pipe size.
Outside Diameter (OD)
Actual diameter measured across the outside surface of the pipe.
Wall Thickness
Thickness of the stainless steel pipe wall.
Schedule
Standard designation related to pipe wall thickness.
Length
Specified length of the individual pipe or total quantity.
Common stainless steel pipe schedule designations include 5S, 10S, 40S and
80S. Other schedule designations may apply depending on the nominal size and
specification. Always verify the exact wall thickness against the applicable
dimensional standard.
Stainless Steel Pipe Weight Chart
The following examples show approximate weight per metre for selected pipe
sizes and wall thicknesses. Values are calculated using an assumed stainless
steel density of 7,930 kg/m³ and should be verified against the selected
grade and dimensional standard.
Nominal Size
OD (mm)
Wall Thickness (mm)
Approx. Weight (kg/m)
1/2"
21.3
2.77
1.28
1"
33.4
3.38
2.68
2"
60.3
3.91
5.54
3"
88.9
5.49
11.52
4"
114.3
6.02
16.38
6"
168.3
7.11
28.77
These values are theoretical examples based on the listed dimensions and
assumed density. Actual weight may vary with grade, dimensional tolerance,
manufacturing condition and supplied length.
Seamless vs Welded Pipe Weight
For weight calculation, outside diameter, wall thickness, length and material
density are the main variables. The manufacturing method itself does not
automatically make a seamless pipe heavier than a welded pipe.
Factor
Seamless Pipe
Welded Pipe
Manufacturing
Produced from a solid billet or hollow billet process
Produced from strip, sheet or plate with a welded seam
Weight calculation
Based on OD, wall thickness, length and density
Based on OD, wall thickness, length and density
Equivalent dimensions
Theoretical weights are generally comparable when grade, OD, wall
thickness and length are equivalent.
Actual supplied weight
May vary because of dimensional tolerances, manufacturing variation and
actual length.
Stainless Steel Pipe Weight by Schedule
Pipe schedule identifies a wall-thickness series for a particular nominal
pipe size. Since weight increases with the amount of metal in the pipe, a
thicker schedule generally has a higher theoretical weight.
Designation
General description
Typical weight effect
5S
Light-wall stainless steel pipe series
Generally lower weight
10S
Light-wall stainless steel pipe series
Higher than lighter-wall options
40S
Medium-wall stainless steel pipe series
Higher weight due to greater wall thickness
80S
Heavy-wall stainless steel pipe series
Higher theoretical weight
Schedule values are size-dependent. Confirm the exact wall thickness from the
applicable stainless steel dimensional standard rather than assuming one
fixed thickness for every pipe size.
The main information required is the outside diameter, wall thickness,
pipe length and material density. Pipe size and schedule can be used to
identify the outside diameter and wall thickness.
Stainless steel pipe weight per metre can be calculated from the outside
diameter, wall thickness and material density. A simplified formula is:
Weight (kg/m) = C × T × (OD − T), where
C is a coefficient based on the density of the selected stainless steel
grade.
Stainless steel pipe weight mainly depends on outside diameter, wall
thickness, pipe length and material density. For the same outside
diameter, increasing the wall thickness generally increases the weight
per metre.
Pipe length changes the total weight but does not change the weight per
metre. Total weight is calculated by multiplying weight per metre by the
total pipe length. For example, a pipe weighing 8 kg/m would weigh
approximately 48 kg over a 6-metre length.
Yes. Schedule identifies a wall-thickness series for a particular nominal
pipe size. A heavier schedule generally has a thicker wall and therefore
a higher theoretical weight per metre. The exact wall thickness must be
checked against the applicable dimensional standard.
When seamless and welded pipes have the same outside diameter, wall
thickness, length and stainless steel grade, their theoretical weights
are generally similar. The manufacturing method itself is not the main
factor in dimensional weight calculation.
Weight charts provide theoretical values. Actual supplied weight may vary
because of dimensional tolerances, manufacturing variation, material
density, surface condition and actual pipe length.
A general chart can be used for estimation, but accurate calculations
should consider the density of the selected grade. SS 304, SS 316 and
other grades may have slightly different densities.
Kilograms per metre, written as kg/m, is the theoretical weight of one
metre of pipe. Total pipe weight is calculated by multiplying the kg/m
value by the required length.
A stainless steel pipe size chart provides dimensions such as nominal
size, outside diameter, wall thickness and schedule. A weight chart uses
these dimensions and material density to estimate pipe weight.