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Sheet Metal Density and Weight per Square Metre Reference

Use this table to convert sheet size and thickness into weight for quoting, freight, crane and rack planning, and scrap valuation. Every value is a nominal handbook density, shown in metric and imperial units.

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MaterialDensity (kg/m3)Density (lb/in3)Weight (kg/m2 per mm)Weight (lb/ft2 per inch)
Mild / carbon steel
7,850
0.284
7.85
40.8
Galvanized steel (base metal)
7,850
0.284
7.85
40.8
Stainless steel 304
8,000
0.289
8
41.6
Stainless steel 316
8,000
0.289
8
41.6
Aluminum 1100
2,710
0.098
2.71
14.1
Aluminum 3003
2,730
0.099
2.73
14.2
Aluminum 5052
2,680
0.097
2.68
13.9
Aluminum 6061
2,700
0.098
2.7
14
Copper C110
8,940
0.323
8.94
46.5
Brass C260
8,530
0.308
8.53
44.3
Titanium Grade 2
4,510
0.163
4.51
23.4

Nominal handbook values. Real sheet varies with alloy composition and thickness tolerance, and coated material carries extra weight. Weight (kg) = thickness (mm) x area (m2) x the kg/m2 per mm column.

Validate item master weights

Optional: a quick review of how unit weight and material specs are held in your ERP.

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How to use it

Pick the material, then multiply the kg per square metre per millimetre value by the thickness in millimetres and by the area in square metres. A 1500 x 3000 mm sheet is 4.5 square metres. At 3 mm in mild steel that is 7.85 x 3 x 4.5, or about 106 kg. For imperial work, multiply pounds per square foot per inch by the thickness in inches and the area in square feet.

  • Weight (kg) = thickness (mm) x area (m2) x kg/m2 per mm.
  • Part weight uses the blank area, then subtract cutouts.
  • Add coating or paint weight for heavy galvanized or powder coat.

Where weight matters in a fab shop

Weight feeds material cost when suppliers price by the kilogram or tonne, freight quotes, forklift and vacuum lifter limits, and the scrap credit you expect from skeleton remnants. It also sets the ERP item master unit weight that many systems use for shipping and customs. Entering a calculated blank weight instead of a guess removes a frequent source of freight disputes.

Gauge versus millimetre

Gauge numbers are not a physical standard shared across metals, so convert gauge to actual thickness before using this table. A gauge number for steel differs from the same number for aluminum or stainless. Always record the real thickness in millimetres or inches in the item master, along with the material specification, so that purchasing and estimating use the same figure.

Common mistakes

The usual errors are applying the steel density to aluminum, forgetting the unit conversion between millimetres and metres, and using the cut part bounding box area instead of the real blank area. For nested sheets, weight the whole sheet for purchasing and the individual blanks for costing, then reconcile the difference as skeleton scrap.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the weight of 1 mm steel sheet per square metre?

Mild steel is about 7.85 kg per square metre per millimetre of thickness, based on a density of 7850 kg per cubic metre. A 2 mm sheet is therefore roughly 15.7 kg per square metre.

Why is stainless slightly heavier than mild steel?

Austenitic grades such as 304 and 316 contain nickel and chromium, giving a density near 8000 kg per cubic metre against about 7850 for carbon steel. The difference is around 2 percent.

Do these figures include coating weight?

No. They are for the base metal. Galvanizing, paint and powder coat add a small amount of weight per area, which matters for very large quantities or tight shipping limits.

Can I use this for plate as well as sheet?

Yes, the density is the same. Plate has wider thickness tolerance, so purchased weight can differ from calculated weight by several percent. Mills often quote theoretical weight with an allowed variance.

If item master weights in your ERP are guesses, we can help check them against geometry and material data. Reach out if useful.

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