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
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.
Data source and basis
- Weights are computed, not transcribed: W = (π/4)(OD² − ID²)·ρ with ρ = 7,850 kg/m³ for carbon steel and the water content (π/4)·ID²·1,000 kg/m³, from the same ASME B36.10 Schedule 40 dimensions the pipe-schedules page and the solver use.
- ASME B36.10 tabulates plain-end weight from the same nominal wall and the same density (its formula 0.024 66·(D − t)·t kg/m is the metal-area formula with ρ = 7,850), so the empty-pipe column agrees with the standard's own weight column to rounding.
- Real pipe weighs within the mill tolerance of this figure (wall −12.5 % / +unlimited per B36.10; weight tolerances of ±10 % or so per the material specification), so use the standard's stated tolerance, not this table, for a weight-critical lift.
- Stainless (about 7,900–8,000 kg/m³) and other materials scale in proportion to density; other schedules follow from their wall thickness with the same formula. lb/ft = kg/m × 0.671 969.
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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