Volume = 231.69 mm² × 6,000 mm ≈ 1,390,155 mm³, or about 0.00139 m³.
Weight in PVC = 0.00139 × 1,400 ≈ 1.95 kg.
The same dimensions in each material the calculator offers, using its built-in densities:
Pipe Material
Density used (kg/m³)
kg per metre
kg per 6 m
HDPE
950
0.220
1.32
PVC
1,400
0.324
1.95
CPVC
1,550
0.359
2.15
Cast Iron
7,200
1.668
10.01
Steel / GI
7,850
1.819
10.91
Copper
8,960
2.076
12.46
Shortcut Formula for Steel and GI Pipe
For steel at 7,850 kg/m³, the calculation simplifies to: weight in kg per metre ≈ 0.02466 × wall thickness × (outer diameter − wall thickness), with both dimensions in millimetres.
For example, a 25 NB (1 inch) steel pipe has an outside diameter of 33.7 mm. With a 3.2 mm wall, the shortcut gives 0.02466 × 3.2 × 30.5 ≈ 2.41 kg per metre, or about 14.44 kg for a 6 m length, matching what this calculator returns. Galvanised pipe weighs slightly more because of the zinc coating, and threaded pipes with sockets differ again, so for billing use the weight table in the relevant IS standard or the manufacturer's catalogue.
Where Pipe Weight Matters
Buying and billing: steel and GI pipes are frequently priced by weight, so a weight estimate lets you check a quotation or delivery.
Transport and handling: knowing the total load helps choose a vehicle and decide whether a pipe length can be lifted by hand.
Supports and hangers: clamps and brackets must carry the pipe plus the water inside it. The 32 × 2.5 mm pipe above holds about 3.44 litres in 6 m, adding roughly 3.4 kg when full, more than the PVC pipe itself weighs.
Enter the actual outside diameter and wall thickness from the pipe marking or catalogue, not the nominal size. A pipe sold as 1 inch is not 25.4 mm on the outside, and its wall thickness depends on the class or schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Weight = Cross-Sectional Area of the pipe wall (Outer Diameter² − Inner Diameter², using π/4) × Length × Material Density. The inner diameter is derived from outer diameter minus twice the wall thickness.
Density varies hugely by material — steel (~7,850 kg/m³) is roughly 5-6× denser than PVC (~1,400 kg/m³), so a steel pipe of the same size is much heavier.
They're typical approximate values for each material; exact density can vary slightly by manufacturer, pipe schedule/class, and alloy composition.
No, it is the weight of the empty pipe only. To find the weight when full, work out the internal volume with the Pipe Volume Calculator and add about 1 kg for every litre of water.
Catalogue weights may include sockets, threads, galvanising or a specific compound density, and wall thickness is made within a tolerance. A difference of a few percent is normal. A large difference usually means the diameter or thickness entered does not match the actual pipe.