Aluminium Weight Calculator
The grade list is aluminium alloys only, each at its own density. About a third of the weight of steel for the same section — the exact ratio depends on the alloy, and the page shows it.
Sheet / plate
What this calculates
Every shape in the weight library — sheet and plate, round, square, flat and hex bar, tube, hollow section, equal angle — restricted to the aluminium rows of the density table. The alloys run from about 2700 kg/m³ for the 1000, 3000 and 6000 series to a little less for the magnesium-rich 5000 series and a little more for 7075.
The line under the alloy names the density used. The generic aluminium entry is a family typical value for when the alloy is still open; once the specification fixes it, choose the named alloy and the result follows.
The weight is theoretical: nominal dimensions, no tolerance. Aluminium is commonly sold on actual weight or per piece, and the quotation states which. Use this figure to size loads and freight, and the quotation for the commercial weight.
Show the formula and a worked example
The formula
- sheet / plate: W = L × W × t × ρ ÷ 10⁹
- round bar: W = π × (D ÷ 2)² × L × ρ ÷ 10⁹
- square bar: W = s² × L × ρ ÷ 10⁹
- flat bar: W = w × t × L × ρ ÷ 10⁹
- hex bar: W = (√3 ÷ 2) × AF² × L × ρ ÷ 10⁹
- pipe / tube: W = π ÷ 4 × (OD² − (OD − 2t)²) × L × ρ ÷ 10⁹
- RHS / SHS: W = (B × H − (B − 2t) × (H − 2t)) × L × ρ ÷ 10⁹
- equal angle: W = (2 × leg − t) × t × L × ρ ÷ 10⁹
Dimensions in millimetres, density ρ in kg/m³ — as the engine runs them.
Every shape reduces to cross-sectional area × length × density. Dimensions are in millimetres and density in kg/m³, so the product is divided by 10⁹ to land in kilograms; the per-metre readout is the same calculation run at a one-metre length.
The hollow shapes subtract the bore from the outer section. The hollow-section and angle areas ignore corner radii; the extruder's section table gives the catalogue weight for a standard profile.
Worked example
| Shape | Sheet / plate |
|---|---|
| Length | 2500 mm |
| Width | 1250 mm |
| Thickness | 3 mm |
| Material grade | 5052 |
| Density | 2,680 kg/m³ · grade density |
| Theoretical weight | 25.13 kg |
| Per square metre | 8.04 kg/m² |
Computed by the calculation engine from these inputs at render time, rounded only for display.
Frequently asked
- 01How much lighter is aluminium than steel?
- For the same section, roughly a third of the weight: about 2700 kg/m³ against 7850 for carbon steel and 8000 for austenitic stainless. Switch the grade on the metal weight calculator to see the two figures side by side.
- 02Which alloys are in the list?
- The aluminium rows of the density table: 1050, 1100, 3003, 5005, 5052, 5083, 5086, 5754, 6061, 6063, 6082 and 7075, plus a generic aluminium entry for an alloy not yet fixed.
- 03Does temper (T6, H32) change the weight?
- No. Temper changes strength and hardness, not density. Choose the alloy for the weight and state the temper in the enquiry.
- 04Is the per-metre figure right for an extruded profile?
- For a plain bar, tube or hollow section, yes. For a custom extrusion the section area comes from the die drawing, not from these fields; send the drawing with the enquiry.