Linear Feet to Pounds Calculator
Estimate pounds from linear feet, profile shape, measured cross-section, material density, quantity, coating or moisture gain, and waste allowance.
1 Load a shop preset
Presets use common steel, lumber, pipe, tube, rod, and wire examples. Adjust dimensions and density to match your exact stock.
2 Enter length, shape, and density
3 Material and profile grid
4 Reference tables
Material density reference
| Material | lb/ft3 | kg/m3 | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mild steel | 490 | 7850 | Flat bar, pipe, angle |
| Stainless 304 | 500 | 8000 | Food-safe rods, tube |
| Aluminum 6061 | 169 | 2705 | Light tube and plate |
| Copper | 559 | 8960 | Wire and bus bar |
| Brass | 532 | 8520 | Rod and trim stock |
| White oak | 47 | 755 | Furniture boards |
| Southern pine | 35 | 560 | Framing lumber |
| PVC | 87 | 1400 | Plastic pipe |
Profile formula reference
| Profile | Dimension inputs | Area formula | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rectangle | Width, height | w x h | Board, flat bar |
| Solid round | Diameter | pi x d2 / 4 | Rod, dowel |
| Round pipe | OD, wall | OD area - ID area | Pipe, tube |
| Square tube | Outside, wall | outside2 - inside2 | HSS tube |
| Angle | Leg A, leg B, t | t x (A + B - t) | Angle iron |
| Channel | Web, flange, t | t x (web + 2 flange) | C channel estimate |
Common linear weights
| Stock | Material | Size | Approx lb/ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flat bar | Steel | 2 x 1/4 in | 1.70 |
| Round rod | Stainless | 1 in dia | 2.73 |
| Square tube | Aluminum | 1.5 x .125 in | 0.70 |
| Pipe | Steel | 2 in sch 40 | 3.65 |
| Wire | Copper | 1/4 in dia | 0.19 |
| 2x4 board | Pine | 1.5 x 3.5 in | 1.28 |
Adjustment factor guide
| Factor | Typical range | Use when | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coating | 1-5% | Paint, powder, plating | Heavy coatings need measured data |
| Galvanizing | 3-8% | Hot-dip steel | Varies by surface area |
| Moisture | 5-30% | Green or wet lumber | Species and storage matter |
| Waste | 5-25% | Cutoffs, crop, kerf | Add to ordered stock weight |
| Custom density | Any | Composite or alloy | Use mill or supplier data |
5 Workshop tips
When you order steel bars, lumber, or pipe by the foot, you must calculate the total weight of the order. You must calculate the total weight because the length of the order isnt enough information to determine the total weight of the order. Length tells you how long the stock is, but length dont tell you how much the stock weighs.
To calculate the total weight, you must know the shape of the stock, the cross section of the stock, the density of the material, the weight of any coatings or moisture, and the weight of any offcuts and waste. You must account for the weight of the offcuts and waste in the total weight of the order. The weight calculator takes into account each of these variable to determine the total weight of the order.
How to Find the Total Weight of Material Orders
The weight calculator will remove the guesswork involved in calculating the total weight so that you dont over or under-order the materials needed for your job. To understand what each input on the calculator represent will ensure that the calculator provides you with an accurate weight calculation. For instance, a nominal two-by-four isnt two inches by four inches for the lumber once it has been dressed.
Additionally, a schedule 40 pipe has a specific thickness for its walls. When you input the true width and true thickness of the lumber or pipe into the calculator, the calculator will determine the area of the metal or wood. If you change the material preset from mild steel to aluminum, the density of the wood or metal will decrease by approximately two-thirds in the calculator.
This affects the weight that you calculate for one person to move the order. The density of the material will help to determine if one person can move the material, or if a forklift and more assistance are required. The weight of any coatings or moisture can be calculated separately from the material.
This is because the weight of any coatings or moisture will change the total weight of the material after it exit the mill. For example, applying a coat of primer will add some percentage of the weight of the material, or the green lumber contains twenty or thirty percent of the weight of water. This water will evaporate from the lumber as it dries, so you must account for this weight in your calculations.
Additionally, the weight calculator allows you to account for the weight of any coatings and moisture. This will ensure the total weight calculated match the weight of the material on the scale. Another value that you must calculate is the weight of the waste.
The waste is incorporated into the total weight of the order. For example, if the lumber order allows for ten percent waste, this is included in the total weight of the order. However, if the order is for cut stock such as angle stock, twenty percent waste are allowed.
You must account for this waste in the total weight of the order. Reference tables are included in the weight calculator so that you can have quick access to information that you may not remember. For instance, those who work with wood and metal stock well know the density of many metals and woods.
However, you may not know the density of brass rod versus stainless rod. This information is important when you are loading a trailer to make sure you dont go over the weight limit of the trailer. Additionally, the reference tables will allow you to quickly review the formula for each type of stock.
Common mistakes will occur with the weight calculator because individuals will use the nominal size instead of the actual size. Additionally, another common mistake will be to not account for waste in the total weight of the order. For instance, if a crew needs two-by-four studs for framing for a house, and they order only the total footage that they need, they will not have enough lumber for the last wall.
If a welding shop purchase metal to fill a rack, they will have a problem if they use the net weight of the material instead of the order weight. The calculator determines both values so that you can properly plan for your project. The two most important output from the calculator are the per-foot weight and the handling note.
These two values will allow you to make a decision about how difficult it will be to move the materials during the day.
