Steel Pipe Weight Chart (Empty & Water-Filled)
Weight per unit length of carbon steel Schedule 40 pipe — both empty (bare pipe) and full of water — by nominal size, in kg/m and lb/ft. Use it for pipe support and hanger spacing, structural and seismic loads, and lifting. Dimensions are ASME B36.10, from the same data as our pipe schedule tables; weights are computed at ρsteel = 7850 kg/m³ and ρwater = 1000 kg/m³.
The Weight Equations
- — outside / inside diameter
- kg/m³, kg/m³
Quick US estimate for steel: (lb/ft, with and wall in inches).
Carbon Steel Schedule 40 Pipe Weight
| NPS | DN | OD (mm) | Wall (mm) | Empty (kg/m) | Empty (lb/ft) | Full (kg/m) | Full (lb/ft) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/8" | 6 | 10.3 | 1.73 | 0.36 | 0.25 | 0.40 | 0.27 |
| 1/4" | 8 | 13.7 | 2.24 | 0.63 | 0.43 | 0.70 | 0.47 |
| 3/8" | 10 | 17.1 | 2.31 | 0.85 | 0.57 | 0.97 | 0.65 |
| 1/2" | 15 | 21.3 | 2.77 | 1.27 | 0.85 | 1.46 | 0.98 |
| 3/4" | 20 | 26.7 | 2.87 | 1.68 | 1.13 | 2.03 | 1.36 |
| 1" | 25 | 33.4 | 3.38 | 2.50 | 1.68 | 3.06 | 2.06 |
| 1-1/4" | 32 | 42.2 | 3.56 | 3.39 | 2.28 | 4.35 | 2.92 |
| 1-1/2" | 40 | 48.3 | 3.68 | 4.05 | 2.72 | 5.36 | 3.60 |
| 2" | 50 | 60.3 | 3.91 | 5.44 | 3.66 | 7.61 | 5.11 |
| 2-1/2" | 65 | 73.0 | 5.16 | 8.63 | 5.80 | 11.72 | 7.87 |
| 3" | 80 | 88.9 | 5.49 | 11.29 | 7.58 | 16.06 | 10.79 |
| 3-1/2" | 90 | 101.6 | 5.74 | 13.57 | 9.12 | 19.95 | 13.41 |
| 4" | 100 | 114.3 | 6.02 | 16.07 | 10.80 | 24.29 | 16.32 |
| 5" | 125 | 141.3 | 6.55 | 21.78 | 14.63 | 34.68 | 23.31 |
| 6" | 150 | 168.3 | 7.11 | 28.27 | 18.99 | 46.91 | 31.52 |
| 8" | 200 | 219.1 | 8.18 | 42.54 | 28.58 | 74.81 | 50.27 |
| 10" | 250 | 273.1 | 9.27 | 60.31 | 40.53 | 111.18 | 74.71 |
| 12" | 300 | 323.8 | 10.31 | 79.74 | 53.58 | 151.95 | 102.11 |
| 14" | 350 | 355.6 | 11.13 | 94.51 | 63.51 | 181.79 | 122.15 |
| 16" | 400 | 406.4 | 12.70 | 123.31 | 82.86 | 237.32 | 159.47 |
| 18" | 450 | 457.2 | 14.27 | 155.93 | 104.78 | 300.24 | 201.75 |
| 20" | 500 | 508.0 | 15.09 | 183.40 | 123.24 | 362.72 | 243.74 |
| 24" | 600 | 609.6 | 17.48 | 255.18 | 171.48 | 514.54 | 345.76 |
Water content (kg/m) = Full − Empty. For other schedules or materials, apply the equations above with the wall thickness and density from our pipe schedule tables.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is pipe weight calculated?
The empty (bare-pipe) weight per unit length is the metal cross-sectional area times the material density: W = (π/4)(OD² − ID²)·ρ. For carbon steel, ρ ≈ 7850 kg/m³ (490 lb/ft³). The water-filled weight adds the weight of the water inside the bore, (π/4)·ID²·ρ_water, with ρ_water = 1000 kg/m³. Full weight = empty weight + water content.
What is the difference between empty and full pipe weight?
Empty weight is the steel alone; full weight adds the fluid filling the bore (water here, ρ = 1000 kg/m³). The difference matters for design: pipe supports, hangers, and structures must carry the operating (usually full) load, plus a hydrotest is done water-filled even for gas lines — so the full weight often governs support spacing and structural checks.
What steel density is used in this chart?
7850 kg/m³ (490 lb/ft³), the standard value for carbon steel. Stainless steel is very close (about 7900-8000 kg/m³). The dimensions are ASME B36.10 Schedule 40 (Standard), taken from the same data as our pipe schedule tables, so the weights are consistent across the site.
How do I get the weight for a different schedule or material?
Use the same formula with the right wall thickness and density. A heavier schedule (e.g. Sch 80) has a thicker wall, so more steel and more empty weight but slightly less water content (smaller bore). For another material, swap ρ — e.g. PVC ≈ 1400 kg/m³, HDPE ≈ 950 kg/m³. Look up OD and wall on our pipe schedule tables and plug into W = (π/4)(OD² − ID²)·ρ.
Why does pipe weight matter?
It drives pipe support and hanger spacing (per MSS SP-58/69 or ASME B31), structural and seismic loads on racks and buildings, foundation and nozzle loads, and transport/lifting planning. Underestimating the water-filled weight is a common cause of sagging spans and overstressed supports.
Is there a quick formula for steel pipe weight?
Yes — in US units, W (lb/ft) ≈ 10.69 × (OD − t) × t, with OD and wall thickness t in inches. It's the same metal-area×density formula with the constants folded in for carbon steel, and it matches the chart values closely.
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