Pipe Weight Calculator

A pipe weight calculator returns the weight of steel or stainless pipe from its nominal size, schedule, and length. It takes the outside diameter from the nominal size and wall thickness from the schedule, then uses material density. A 20 ft run of 2 in. Schedule 40 carbon steel pipe weighs about 73.1 lb, or 3.657 lb/ft.

Last reviewed September 2026Method & sources Report an error

Not to scale.

Total Weight

73.1 lb

Breakdown
Total Weight	73.1 lb
Weight per Foot	3.657 lb/ft
Inner Diameter	2.067 in

How to Calculate Pipe Weight

Weight comes straight from the pipe's actual wall geometry rather than a static per-size lookup. A pipe's outside diameter (OD) is fixed by its nominal size (NPS) regardless of schedule, per ASME B36.10M's standard steel pipe dimensions. Wall thickness increases with schedule. Schedule 80 is thicker-walled than Schedule 40 at the same NPS, which is why a Schedule 80 pipe weighs more per foot despite sharing the same outside diameter. The wall's cross-sectional area works out to `π × t × (OD − t)`, a simplification of the annulus area formula π/4 × (OD² − ID²) once ID = OD − 2t is substituted in. Multiplying that area by 12 in./ft and the material's density gives weight per foot. Weight per foot times length gives the total.

Example: 20 ft of 2 in. NPS Schedule 40 carbon steel pipe

20 ft of 2 in. NPS Schedule 40 carbon steel pipe: 1. Outside diameter (fixed by NPS, per ASME B36.10M): 2.375 in. 2. Wall thickness (Schedule 40, per ASME B36.10M): 0.154 in. 3. Inner diameter: 2.375 − (2 × 0.154) = 2.067 in. 4. Wall area: π × 0.154 × (2.375 − 0.154) = π × 0.154 × 2.221 = 1.0745 sq in. 5. Weight per foot: 1.0745 × 12 × 0.2836 (carbon steel density, lb/cu in.) = 3.657 lb/ft 6. Total weight: 3.657 × 20 = 73.14, rounded to 73.1 lb

Pipe Weight: Compare Scenarios

Scenario	Total Weight	Weight per Foot	Inner Diameter
Small (1/2 in. Sch 40, 10 ft)	8.5 lb	0.852 lb/ft	0.622 in
Medium (2 in. Sch 40, 20 ft)	73.1 lb	3.657 lb/ft	2.067 in
Large (4 in. Sch 80, 100 ft)	1,499.9 lb	14.999 lb/ft	3.826 in

What Is Pipe Weight?

A pipe weight calculator converts a steel or stainless pipe's nominal size, schedule, and length into its actual weight. It's useful for estimating shipping cost, checking what a support or hanger needs to carry, or confirming a delivery's weight before it arrives. It computes weight from the pipe's real wall geometry, meaning outside diameter and wall thickness by schedule, rather than a flat per-size guess. A Schedule 80 pipe correctly comes out heavier than the same nominal size in Schedule 40.

Pipe Weight: Pros and Cons

Pros

Computes weight from real wall geometry (OD and wall thickness by schedule), so Schedule 80 correctly comes out heavier than Schedule 40 at the same nominal size. A calculator that tracks only one weight-per-size figure can't do that
Uses standard ASME B36.10M pipe dimensions rather than a single manufacturer's figures, so it applies across brands for the same nominal size and schedule
Also reports inner diameter, useful alongside the Pipe Volume calculator for the same run

Cons

Covers common NPS 1/2 in. through 4 in. sizes and Schedule 40 or 80 only. Larger NPS sizes and other schedules (10, 30, XXS, and so on) use different standard dimensions that aren't included here
Assumes a plain, uncoated pipe. Galvanizing, lining, or a threaded or grooved end adds a small amount of additional weight that this doesn't account for
Carbon and stainless steel densities used here are standard reference figures. A specific alloy can vary slightly from these baseline values

Pipe Weight: What a Pro Checks

Check schedule, not just nominal size, before estimating weight. Schedule 80 pipe weighs noticeably more per foot than Schedule 40 at the same NPS, since outside diameter is fixed but wall thickness isn't.
Remember NPS is a naming convention, not a literal measurement. A "2 in." pipe actually has a 2.375 in. outside diameter, so don't assume the nominal number is the real diameter for other measurements.
Add a small allowance beyond this figure for galvanizing, lining, or threaded or grooved ends. This calculates plain, uncoated pipe weight only.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does steel pipe weigh per foot?

It depends on nominal size and schedule (wall thickness). A 2 in. NPS Schedule 40 carbon steel pipe weighs about 3.66 lb/ft. The same nominal size in Schedule 80 weighs more, since Schedule 80 has a thicker wall at the same outside diameter.

Does Schedule 80 pipe weigh more than Schedule 40?

Yes, at the same nominal pipe size. Outside diameter is fixed by NPS regardless of schedule. Schedule 80 has a thicker wall, which means more steel and more weight per foot than Schedule 40 at that same size.

How do you calculate pipe weight from dimensions?

Find the wall's cross-sectional area (π × wall thickness × (outside diameter − wall thickness)). Multiply by 12 to get area per foot of length. Then multiply by the material's density (lb per cubic inch) to get weight per foot. Multiply that by total length for the full weight.

What is the difference between nominal pipe size and actual diameter?

Nominal pipe size (NPS) is a naming convention, not a literal measurement. A "2 in." pipe has a 2.375 in. outside diameter, not exactly 2 in. Its actual inside diameter is smaller still, and it depends on the schedule (wall thickness) chosen.

Why does stainless steel pipe weigh slightly more than carbon steel at the same size?

Stainless steel is slightly denser than carbon steel, about 0.289 lb/cu in. vs. 0.2836 lb/cu in. At identical outside diameter and wall thickness, that small density difference makes stainless pipe a bit heavier.

Sources

ASME B36.10M, Welded and Seamless Wrought Steel Pipe (standard outside diameter and wall thickness by nominal size and schedule) (opens in a new tab)

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