Pipe Weight Calculator
The weight of a length of pipe — the material itself and its contents — for lifting, supporting and transport.
How much the pipe weighs.
How the pipe weight calculator works
A pipe wall is an annulus: π/4 × (OD² − ID²), where ID is OD minus twice the wall thickness. Multiply by length and material density.
What catches people out is the contents. A 150 mm steel pipe weighs about 28 kg/m empty and 45 kg/m full of water, so supports sized for an empty run will sag or fail once it is commissioned.
Formula: weight = π/4 (OD² − ID²) × L × density
Worked examples
| Inputs | Total weight | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 168 mm steel, 7.1 mm wall, 6 m, water | 280.51 kg | 28 kg/m empty, 45 full |
| Empty | 169.04 kg | the pipe alone |
| PVC instead | 141.62 kg | a fraction of the steel weight |
FAQFrequently asked questions
How do I calculate pipe weight?
The wall is an annulus: π/4 × (OD² − ID²), times length, times density.
How much does a 150 mm steel pipe weigh?
About 28 kg per metre empty and 45 kg per metre full of water.
Do I size supports for empty or full?
Full, always — plus any test condition. Hydrostatic testing fills even a gas line with water, and that is often the heaviest state it ever sees.
Why is PVC so much lighter?
Density: 1,400 kg/m³ against steel's 7,850. It is roughly a fifth the weight for the same section.
Does the coating count?
For thick concrete or bitumen coating on buried pipe, very much so — it can exceed the steel weight. Bare pipe is what this calculates.
Where these figures come from
- The Engineering ToolBox — material densities, coverage and unit data — bulk densities, concrete at 2,400 kg/m³, board and sheet sizes
- Brick Development Association — brick sizes and quantities — 215 × 102.5 × 65 mm, 60 bricks per m²
- UK Government — Approved Documents (Building Regulations) — Building Regulations guidance
Last checked: September 2026. Coverage rates and material sizes are typical manufacturer figures — check the product you buy.