About

Accurate weight estimation is the backbone of logistics and procurement in heavy industry. Engineers and project managers rely on precise mass calculations to book transport, estimate shipping costs, and ensure structural load limits are not exceeded. A small deviation in density parameters or thickness variables can lead to significant discrepancies in tonnage, resulting in budget overruns or safety hazards.

This tool eliminates the need for manual lookups of material densities. By integrating specific gravity data for alloys ranging from standard Carbon Steel to specialized grades like Stainless Steel 316 and naval Brass, it provides instant mass values. The calculation considers the surface area and the gauge (thickness), applying the fundamental physics of mass estimation defined by density constants.

Formulas

The mass is derived from the volume of the plate multiplied by the material density. Since the thickness is typically measured in millimeters and the area in square meters, a conversion factor is applied.

Weight = Area × Thickness1000 × ρ

Where:

Area is the surface area in m².
Thickness is the plate gauge in mm.
ρ (rho) is the material density in kg/m³.
1000 converts millimeters to meters.

Reference Data

Material	Density (kg/m³)	Weight per mm/m² (kg)
Steel (Mild)	7850	7.85
Stainless Steel 304	7900	7.90
Stainless Steel 316	8000	8.00
Aluminum 6061	2700	2.70
Copper	8960	8.96
Brass	8730	8.73
Lead	11340	11.34
Titanium	4500	4.50
Zinc	7140	7.14
Cast Iron	7200	7.20

Frequently Asked Questions

While both are stainless steels, 316 contains Molybdenum which slightly increases its density (approx 8000 kg/m³) compared to 304 (7900 kg/m³). In large shipments involving thousands of sheets, this small difference accumulates into significant tonnage.

This calculator assumes flat plates. Chequered plates have added mass due to the pattern, but the nominal thickness often excludes the raised pattern. For estimation, using the flat plate formula provides a baseline, but you should add a safety margin (typically 3-5%) for the pattern weight.

No. Steel mills produce plates with thickness tolerances (often slightly thicker than nominal to ensure minimums are met). This is a theoretical weight calculator. For billing weight, refer to the mill's specific tolerance tables.

Select the closest base material (e.g., "Steel - General") or refer to the density table to check if your alloy falls within the standard range. Most structural steels have a density very close to 7850 kg/m³.