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Mechanics · Mass and materials

Metal weight and linear mass calculator

Choose a simple shape or standard profile, or enter a known area to obtain mass per length, per piece and for the full quantity.

Created v1.0

By Thibaut Grzelak, Mechanical Analysis Engineer

Mass and materials
01

Calculation inputs

Results are up to date.

02

Diagram

BeDasDeaB × HB × H × eA
m′ = ρ × A
Value identificationGeometry calculated from the entered dimensions.
03

Results

Linear mass
6,29

Mass per unit length.

Mass of one piece
18,87

Mass for the specified length.

Total mass
18,87

Mass for the specified quantity.

Total weight
185,01

Force using g = 9.80665 m/s².

View calculation detailsFormulas, unit conversion, numerical substitution and resultsOpen ↓

Theoretical values. Manufacturing tolerances, fillets, coatings, welds and cutting losses are excluded.

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Tube mass and self-weight: worked example

One piece: 25.303 kg. Self-weight per individual tube: 0.041356 kN/m. Do not add it twice to a beam load.

01Formulas and symbols

Formulas used

m′ρALinear mass
mρALnTotal mass
PmgTotal weight
02Assumptions and limits

Scope of validity

  • Constant section along the full length.
  • Uniform material density.
  • Standard profiles use recalculated simplified nominal geometry.
  • Tolerances, fillets, coatings, welds and cutting losses are excluded.
  • Weight uses standard gravity g = 9.80665 m/s².
03Validation example

Reference numerical case

  1. A = 850 mm², L = 2 m, quantity 4, stainless steel 8,000 kg/m³.
  2. Linear mass = 6.8 kg/m.
  3. Mass of one piece = 13.6 kg.
  4. Total mass = 54.4 kg and total weight = 533.48 N.
04Frequently asked questions

Questions about the calculation

Which input method should be used?

Choose a simple shape to calculate A from dimensions, a standard profile to reuse the library, or “Known area” when the net material area is already available.

What is the difference between mass and weight?

Mass is expressed in kilograms. Weight is the force m·g and is expressed in newtons.

Is steel density always 7,850 kg/m³?

It is a common nominal value. Alloy grade, stainless composition and product tolerances can change it.

05References

Technical references

  1. BIPM, The International System of Units (SI), 9th edition.
  2. Typical room-temperature densities; verify the exact grade and material certificate for contractual calculations.

Calculation path and sources

Density and section area connect material, geometry and the mass of a part or profile.

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External technical sources

Mass per unit length

How to calculate linear mass in kg/m

Linear mass, mass per length and profile weight per metre describe the same quantity. It depends on net material area and density.

Linear-mass formula

Convert A to m² and use ρ in kg/m³. The result is obtained in kg/m.

m′ = ρ · A

Verified steel example

A = 2,500 mm² and ρ = 7,850 kg/m³ give m′ = 19.625 kg/m. A 6 m member has a mass of 117.75 kg.

7 850 × 0,0025 = 19,625 kg/m

Use net material area

For a tube or open section, do not use the outer bounding rectangle. Obtain area from the appropriate calculator.

Choose a section shape