AISC lookup · plate · round bar · rect bar

Steel weight calculator

Look up the weight of a real AISC rolled shape, or calculate plate, round bar, or square/rect bar weight — for estimates, freight planning, and erection sequencing.

Enter a shape designation and length to calculate total weight.
Formula & assumptions

Shape lookup: total_lb = weight_per_foot × length_ft × quantity. Weight-per-foot values are sourced from the AISC Shapes Database — 1,660 real designations (W, HP, S, M, C, MC, L, WT, MT, ST, HSS, Pipe), facts only, re-presented in our own format, not a copy of AISC's published tables. Plate mode: weight_lb = t × w × l × 0.2836. Round bar: (π/4)d² × L × 0.2836. Square/rect bar: a × b × L × 0.2836. Plate/round/rect modes assume carbon steel density 490 lb/ft³ (0.2836 lb/in³) — a labeled assumption; stainless and aluminum differ. Nominal weights only — excludes connections, plates, bolts, and coatings.

What this calculator does

Type an AISC designation and a length and it returns the piece weight and the total for the quantity, in pounds and tons, using the weight-per-foot from the AISC Shapes Database. Plate, round bar and square or rectangular bar have their own modes that work from dimensions and a carbon-steel density of 490 lb/ft³. It is the number you need for a freight call, a crane pick, or a quick sanity check on a bill of material.

Worked example

Two W12X26 beams at 30 ft: 26 lb/ft × 30 ft = 780 lb each, 1,560 lb for the pair, 0.78 tons. A 1/2" × 24" × 96" plate: 0.5 × 24 × 96 × 0.2836 = 327 lb.

Common questions

Does it include connections, bolts and paint?
No. It is the nominal weight of the rolled shape or the bare plate. Add clip angles, plates, bolts and coating from your own material list if the number is going to a rigger or a scale ticket.
Why does my HSS weight differ slightly from the mill cert?
The database value is AISC's nominal weight per foot; mill certs report actual rolled weight, which can run a few percent either way. Use the cert for invoicing, the nominal for planning.
Can I enter a shape that is not in the list?
Switch to the rolled-section mode and type the weight per foot yourself, or use plate / bar mode with dimensions.

Nominal reference only. Verify designation, dimensions, and properties against the official AISC Steel Construction Manual before fabrication/detailing. This tool is an estimating aid, not a design tool or shipping certification.

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