Steel Pipe Weight & Pressure Calculator
Calculate weight per meter, weight per length, and maximum working pressure for carbon steel pipe. Supports API 5L grades from Grade B to X80.
Weight & Pressure Calculator
Calculate pipe weight and maximum working pressure based on your specifications.
WEIGHT / METER
28.26
kg/m
MAX PRESSURE
14.7
MPa
PER 6M
169.6 kg
PER 12M
339.1 kg
PRESSURE (PSI)
2,126 psi
SCHEDULE
SCH 40
INTERNAL DIA.
154.1 mm
STEEL AREA
36.00 cm²
Calculations based on Barlow's formula with 0.72 design factor per ASME B31.8. For reference only — verify with project engineering specifications.
How to Calculate Pipe Weight
The standard formula for carbon and alloy steel pipe weight per meter is W = (OD − WT) × WT × 0.02466, where OD is the outside diameter in millimeters and WT is the wall thickness in millimeters. The constant 0.02466 derives from the density of carbon steel (7.85 g/cm³) and the geometry of a hollow cylinder.
For example, a 168.3 mm OD pipe with 7.11 mm wall thickness weighs (168.3 − 7.11) × 7.11 × 0.02466 = 28.26 kg/m. To get the weight of a standard 6-meter length, multiply by 6 to get 169.6 kg.
Note that different alloys use slightly different constants. For 304 stainless steel (density 7.93 g/cm³) the constant is 0.02491, and for 316 stainless steel (density 8.00 g/cm³) it is 0.02507. The formula above applies specifically to carbon steel per ASTM A106, A53, and API 5L specifications.
Barlow's Formula for Maximum Working Pressure
Barlow's formula calculates the maximum internal pressure a pipe can withstand: P = (2 × S × WT × F) / OD, where S is the Specified Minimum Yield Strength (SMYS) of the pipe material in MPa, WT is wall thickness in mm, F is the design factor, and OD is outside diameter in mm. The result is in MPa.
The design factor varies by application: 0.72 for general transmission pipelines (ASME B31.8 Class 1, Div 2), 0.60 for pipelines at road and railroad crossings, and 0.50 for lines in high-density population areas. This calculator uses 0.72 as the default, which is standard for most onshore pipeline engineering.
Keep in mind that Barlow's formula gives a theoretical maximum. Actual pressure ratings depend on manufacturing tolerances, weld quality, operating temperature, corrosion allowance, and the specific code governing the project. Always verify calculations against project engineering specifications.
API 5L Grade Reference
| Grade | SMYS (MPa) | SMYS (psi) | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade B | 241 | 35,000 | General pipelines, low-pressure service |
| X42 | 290 | 42,100 | Distribution pipelines |
| X46 | 317 | 46,000 | Distribution and transmission |
| X52 | 359 | 52,200 | Transmission pipelines |
| X56 | 386 | 56,600 | Medium-pressure transmission |
| X60 | 414 | 60,200 | High-pressure transmission |
| X65 | 448 | 65,300 | Long-distance transmission |
| X70 | 483 | 70,300 | High-pressure, long-distance |
| X80 | 552 | 80,000 | Ultra high-pressure transmission |
Common Pipe Schedule Quick Reference
| Pipe Size | OD (mm) | SCH 40 WT | SCH 80 WT | SCH 160 WT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2" | 60.3 | 3.91 mm | 5.54 mm | 8.74 mm |
| 3" | 88.9 | 5.49 mm | 7.62 mm | 11.13 mm |
| 4" | 114.3 | 6.02 mm | 8.56 mm | 13.49 mm |
| 6" | 168.3 | 7.11 mm | 10.97 mm | 18.26 mm |
| 8" | 219.1 | 8.18 mm | 12.7 mm | 23.01 mm |
| 10" | 273.1 | 9.27 mm | 15.09 mm | 28.58 mm |
| 12" | 323.9 | 9.52 mm | 17.48 mm | — |
| 14" | 355.6 | 9.52 mm | — | — |
| 16" | 406.4 | 9.52 mm | — | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you calculate steel pipe weight per meter?
Steel pipe weight per meter is calculated using the formula: W = (OD − WT) × WT × 0.02466, where OD is the outside diameter in mm, WT is the wall thickness in mm, and the result is in kg/m. This is the standard formula per ASTM specifications for carbon and alloy steel pipe.
What is Barlow's formula for pipe pressure?
Barlow's formula calculates maximum working pressure as P = (2 × S × WT × F) / OD, where S is the specified minimum yield strength (SMYS) of the pipe material, WT is wall thickness, F is the design factor (typically 0.72 per ASME B31.8), and OD is outside diameter. The result is in the same pressure unit as the yield strength input.
What is the SMYS for API 5L Grade B pipe?
The Specified Minimum Yield Strength (SMYS) for API 5L Grade B pipe is 241 MPa (35,000 psi). This is the baseline grade in the API 5L specification for line pipe used in oil, gas, and water pipelines.
What is the difference between pipe schedule and wall thickness?
Pipe schedule (e.g., SCH 40, SCH 80) is a standardized designation that maps to a specific wall thickness for each pipe diameter. For example, a 6-inch pipe in SCH 40 has a wall thickness of 7.11mm, while the same diameter in SCH 80 has 10.97mm. The schedule system was created by ASME to simplify specifying pipe dimensions across different sizes.
Need pipe in these specifications?
Contact our team for pricing, lead times, and stock availability across all grades and schedules.