Square Pipe Weight Calculator – SHS Steel Weight per Meter

🔧 Square Pipe Weight Calculator

Calculate the weight of square hollow section (SHS) steel pipes instantly. Perfect for engineers, fabricators, and construction professionals.

📊 Calculation Results

0.00 kg
Total Pipe Weight

📋 Calculation Breakdown

Outer Width: –
Inner Width: –
Wall Thickness: –
Length: –
Material Density: –
Cross-sectional Area: –
Volume: –
Total Weight: –

🔍 What is a Square Pipe?

A square pipe, also known as Square Hollow Section (SHS), is a structural steel tube with a square cross-section. These pipes are widely used in construction, manufacturing, and fabrication due to their excellent strength-to-weight ratio and uniform load distribution properties. The hollow design provides structural integrity while reducing material usage and overall weight.

📐 Common Applications

Construction Industry

Square pipes are extensively used in building frameworks, roof trusses, and structural supports. Their uniform cross-section makes them ideal for creating stable frameworks that can withstand various loads and stresses.

Manufacturing and Fabrication

In manufacturing, square pipes serve as components in machinery frames, conveyor systems, and industrial equipment. Their precise dimensions and consistent properties make them perfect for applications requiring exact specifications.

Furniture and Design

Modern furniture designers frequently use square pipes for creating sleek, minimalist designs. From office desks to outdoor furniture, these pipes provide both functionality and aesthetic appeal.

⚙️ How Weight is Calculated

The weight calculation for square pipes involves several steps and unit conversions:

Step 1: Calculate Inner Width

Inner Width = Outer Width – (2 × Wall Thickness)

Step 2: Calculate Cross-sectional Area

Area = Outer Width² – Inner Width²

This gives us the area of the steel cross-section in mm²

Step 3: Calculate Volume

Volume = Cross-sectional Area × Length

Convert mm² to cm² by dividing by 100, and meters to cm by multiplying by 100

Step 4: Calculate Weight

Weight = Volume × Density

Final result is converted to kilograms for practical use

📊 Weight per Meter Table

Size (mm) Thickness (mm) MS Steel (kg/m) SS Steel (kg/m) Aluminum (kg/m)
25×25 2.0 1.42 1.45 0.49
40×40 3.0 3.45 3.52 1.19
50×50 3.0 4.47 4.56 1.54
60×60 4.0 7.09 7.23 2.44
80×80 5.0 11.78 12.01 4.06
100×100 6.0 18.24 18.60 6.28

🔁 Material Comparison

MS Steel vs Stainless Steel vs Aluminum

Mild Steel (MS): Most economical option with good strength properties. Density: 7.85 g/cm³. Requires coating for corrosion protection.

Stainless Steel (SS): Higher corrosion resistance and strength. Density: 8.0 g/cm³. More expensive but longer-lasting in harsh environments.

Aluminum: Lightweight with excellent corrosion resistance. Density: 2.7 g/cm³. Approximately 65% lighter than steel, making it ideal for weight-sensitive applications.

🧮 Why Accurate Pipe Weight Matters

Cost Estimation

Accurate weight calculations are crucial for material cost estimation. Steel is typically sold by weight, so knowing the exact weight helps in budgeting and procurement planning.

Transportation Planning

Understanding the total weight of steel pipes is essential for transportation logistics, vehicle capacity planning, and shipping cost calculations.

Structural Integrity

In structural applications, knowing the exact weight helps engineers calculate load distributions, foundation requirements, and overall structural stability.

📚 Solved Examples

Example 1: MS Steel Square Pipe

Given: 50mm × 50mm, 3mm thickness, 6m length

Solution:

Inner width = 50 – (2 × 3) = 44mm

Area = 50² – 44² = 2500 – 1936 = 564 mm²

Volume = 564 × 6000 = 3,384,000 mm³ = 3,384 cm³

Weight = 3,384 × 7.85 ÷ 1000 = 26.56 kg

💬 Frequently Asked Questions

Does coating affect the pipe weight?
Yes, galvanizing or other coatings add approximately 3-5% to the total weight. For precise calculations in coated pipes, add this percentage to your final result.
What tolerance should I allow for weight calculations?
Industry standard allows ±5% tolerance for pipe weight. For critical applications, consider adding 5-10% safety margin to your calculations.
Is internal radius considered in calculations?
Standard calculations assume sharp internal corners. For pipes with rounded internal corners, the weight may be slightly less (typically 1-2% difference).
How accurate are these calculations?
Our calculator provides theoretical weight based on nominal dimensions. Actual weight may vary due to manufacturing tolerances, typically within ±3% of calculated values.
Can I use this for rectangular pipes?
This calculator is specifically for square pipes. For rectangular hollow sections (RHS), you’ll need a different calculation method that accounts for different width and height dimensions.

🔗 Related Calculators

Explore our other structural calculators:

📖 Standards and References

Our calculations are based on: