Steel Pipe Weight by Schedule

Values calculated using the ASME B36.10 plain end weight formula, W (lb/ft) = 10.6802 × t × (OD – t), where t is wall thickness in inches. For the complete steel dataset across every schedule and larger sizes, see the Steel Pipe Weight Chart.

Material Quick Comparison

Common U.S. units include lb/ft, lb per 20-ft length, and lb per 21-ft length. Metric equivalents use kg/m or kg per standard length.

These two values should never be mixed in the same chart column without a clear label.

For a fixed OD, a thicker wall means more material area and therefore greater weight per foot. This is why Schedule 80 pipe usually weighs more than Schedule 40 pipe of the same NPS and material.

This matches independently published ASME B36.10 weight tables and the value used in the Steel Pipe Weight Chart.

For the complete NPS × schedule × wall × weight dataset across every ASME B36.10 schedule, see the full Steel Pipe Weight Chart, which owns the detailed steel-only reference.

Not every pipe size or specification offers a Schedule 10 product; check the Pipe Schedule Chart for size-by-size availability.

For sizes beyond NPS 12, see the Schedule 40 Pipe Chart.

For sizes beyond NPS 8, see the Schedule 80 Pipe Chart.

Not every nominal size or product line offers Schedule 160; where a size is not standardized, treat it as not available rather than assuming a zero or extrapolated weight.

The percentage difference is not constant across sizes, which is why “Schedule 80 weighs twice Schedule 40” is not a reliable general rule; each NPS has its own wall-thickness relationship.

ASME B36.10-2022 standardizes dimensions of welded and seamless wrought steel pipe for high or low temperature and pressure service. This page uses B36.10 values for NPS, OD, and nominal wall thickness, then derives weight from those dimensional values using the applicable density convention. The B36.10 dimensional standard and a material specification such as ASTM A53 or A106 are not the same thing; B36.10 governs dimensions, while separate material specifications govern chemistry and mechanical properties.

B36.19 standardizes welded and seamless wrought stainless pipe dimensions. Weight varies slightly with actual alloy density as well as wall geometry; not all stainless grades share exactly identical density, so these values use a representative austenitic stainless density convention rather than a single alloy-specific figure.

For equal OD and equal wall geometry, carbon steel and stainless steel densities are relatively close but not identical, and stainless density itself varies somewhat by grade. Weight differences between carbon and stainless pipe of the same nominal size can arise from different wall tables (B36.10 vs B36.19) as well as from small material density differences. Do not apply a single universal percentage rule such as “stainless is X percent heavier”; compare the actual wall thickness and alloy density for the specific products being evaluated.

Not every product is commercially supplied in all three lengths; verify actual stock lengths with the supplier before finalizing a material take-off.

Do not apply one universal full-pipe weight figure across different services. For project design, use the actual fluid density at the applicable operating temperature and concentration.

Pipe support loads can include pipe self-weight, contained fluid, insulation, valves, flanges, fittings, and other accessories, and sometimes snow, ice, or other environmental loads depending on the installation context. Do not design pipe supports using empty-pipe weight alone when the system operates full; actual support design, including load combinations and safety factors, is outside the scope of this reference chart and should follow project-specific engineering.

Weight matters for manual lifting, rigging, forklift capacity, crane selection, trucking, and storage rack loads. Published lb/ft multiplied by length gives pipe-body weight only; add fittings, coatings, linings, or other components separately when they are present.

Galvanizing adds zinc coating mass, so galvanized pipe weighs slightly more than bare steel pipe. Do not apply one universal percentage, since coating mass depends on surface area, coating thickness, and the applicable product specification. Other additions such as epoxy coating, polyethylene coating, cement-mortar lining, or rubber lining also add weight beyond the nominal bare-pipe value. Distinguish nominal bare pipe weight from finished installed component weight, and use manufacturer or shipping weight when logistics accuracy is critical.

PVC pipe weight is based on manufacturer and current product data rather than steel density calculations, since PVC compound density and product-specific wall thickness differ substantially from steel.

These values reflect one manufacturer’s published Schedule 80 PVC product data; other manufacturers may publish slightly different weights for the same nominal size. For complete PVC-specific dimensional data, see the PVC Pipe Size Chart.

For the same nominal PVC pipe size and OD family, Schedule 80 has more wall material than Schedule 40 and therefore generally weighs more per foot. Use manufacturer tables rather than assuming a universal PVC density calculation from nominal size alone, since compound formulation and product-specific dimensions vary by manufacturer.

These are tube-only weights and do not include fittings or contained fluid. For complete copper-specific dimensional data, see the Copper Pipe Size Chart.

For the same nominal copper size, Type K, the thickest common water-tube wall, generally has the highest empty weight. Type L is intermediate, and Type M, with the thinnest common wall, is the lightest. Do not mix these copper values with NPS steel schedule tables, since the two systems use entirely different dimensional conventions.

Tube may be specified by actual OD, wall thickness, or gauge, while pipe typically uses NPS and schedule. The weight lookup needs the correct dimensional system for the product in question; do not use an NPS steel pipe chart to estimate structural HSS or mechanical tubing weight. For structural steel shape and tubing weight, see the structural steel weight reference on this site.

For quick calculations without manual math, use the Pipe Weight Calculator or the general Metal Weight Calculator.

Chart weight is typically based on nominal OD, nominal wall thickness, and a nominal material density convention. Actual shipping or field weight can differ because of dimensional tolerances, actual alloy density, coatings, lining, moisture or debris, and normal manufacturing variation.