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LGS Quantity Estimator (Light-Gauge Steel)

Estimate purlin, stud, joist, and bracing quantities for a light-gauge steel (LGS) frame house from floor plan area and number of floors.

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Purlins
800.00 kg
Studs
1,200.00 kg
Joists
1,500.00 kg
Bracing
400.00 kg
Total Steel
3,900.00 kg
Total Cost
NPR 8,58,000

How this works

Per-ft² LGS thumb rules calibrated against supplier quotations for typical residential floor plans:

purlins = 0.8 kg/ft² × area × floors
studs   = 1.2 kg/ft² × area × floors
joists  = 1.5 kg/ft² × area × floors
bracing = 0.4 kg/ft² × area × floors

totalKg   = sum of components
totalCost = totalKg × ratePerKg

The default rate of 220 per kg is the supply-only median for galvanised LGS in Nepal as of 2024–2025. Override with your supplier's quotation for an exact figure.

Worked example

A single-storey house, 1,000 ft² floor plan, default rate NPR 220 / kg:

  • Purlins ≈ 800 kg
  • Studs ≈ 1,200 kg
  • Joists ≈ 1,500 kg
  • Bracing ≈ 400 kg
  • Total ≈ 3,900 kg → cost ≈ NPR 8,58,000

For a two-storey building of the same plan, multiply each component (and the cost) by 2.

Sources

  • LGS supplier quotations and field benchmarks (Nepal, 2024–2025)

FAQ

What does LGS mean and where is it used?

LGS stands for Light-Gauge Steel — cold-formed thin-walled steel sections used for low- and mid-rise residential and light commercial buildings. Studs replace timber wall studs, joists replace timber floor joists, purlins span between trusses for the roof, and bracing handles lateral loads. LGS is faster on site than RCC because the frame is fabricated off-site and erected in days, not weeks.

What thumb rules does this calculator use?

We use per-ft² thumb rules consistent with LGS supplier quotations in Nepal, India, and Pakistan: 0.8 kg/ft² for purlins, 1.2 kg/ft² for studs, 1.5 kg/ft² for joists, and 0.4 kg/ft² for bracing. These are typical figures for a single-storey or two-storey residential structure with 9 to 10 ft floor heights and standard window-to-wall ratios. Heavily glazed or wide-span buildings will use more.

Can I use this for industrial sheds or warehouses?

No. The thumb rules are calibrated to residential and light-commercial floor plans where studs and joists dominate. Industrial sheds use heavier hot-rolled sections (ISMB, SHS) for primary structure and very different proportions of purlins to studs. Use the Steel Beam Sizing and Steel Column Sizing calculators for sheds, and supplement with manufacturer quotations.

What is a typical supply rate per kg?

Galvanised LGS sections from Indian and Nepali suppliers in 2024–2025 trade between NPR 200 and NPR 260 per kg, depending on gauge thickness, finish (G90 vs G60 zinc coating), and order volume. Erection adds another 25 to 40 percent on top, so an all-in supply-and-erect figure is around NPR 280 to NPR 360 per kg. The default rate of NPR 220 per kg is the supply-only median.

Does the result include connectors, screws, and labour?

No. This calculator returns the kg of cold-formed steel only. Self-drilling screws, connector clips, anchor bolts, and the labour to erect the frame are usually billed as a flat 8 to 12 percent uplift on the steel cost. Use the Welding Rod and Bolt Estimator for explicit fastener quantities, and add 10 percent to the total here as a rule of thumb.

How accurate is this estimate?

Within plus or minus 15 percent for typical residential floor plans. The thumb rules average across hundreds of LGS projects, but actual usage depends on cladding type (heavy fibre cement boards need more studs), wall heights above 10 ft, the number of openings, and whether walls are load-bearing or non-load-bearing. Treat the figure as a budgetary estimate and confirm with two supplier quotes before procurement.

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