Steel Section Weight Calculator (IS 808 / 1161 / 4923)
Look up unit weight (kg/m) and compute total steel weight for any IS 808 ISMB / ISMC / ISA, IS 4923 SHS / RHS, or IS 1161 pipe by name and length.
How this works
Each Indian Standard section has a published unit weight (kg/m). The total weight is simply that figure multiplied by the member length:
unitWeightKgPerM = lookup(sectionName)
totalKg = unitWeightKgPerM × length_mCatalog values come from the IS 808, IS 1161, and IS 4923 published section tables. Mill tolerances mean the actual bar may be 1 to 2 percent lighter or heavier — for billing, weigh the delivered material.
Worked example
A 6 m long ISMB 200 beam:
- Unit weight = 25.4 kg/m
- Total =
25.4 × 6= 152.40 kg
Apply a 5 percent allowance for cutting and end-fitting losses for a procurement-ready figure of about 160 kg.
Sources
- IS 808 — Hot-rolled steel beam, column, channel and angle sections (BIS)
- IS 1161 — Steel tubes for structural purposes (BIS)
- IS 4923 — Hollow steel sections for structural use (BIS)
FAQ
Which Indian Standards does this catalog cover?
The pre-loaded catalog covers IS 808 ISMB I-beams, ISMC channels, and ISA equal-leg angles, IS 4923 SHS and RHS hollow sections, and IS 1161 nominal-bore medium-class pipes. These are the steel sections most commonly stocked by yards across Nepal, India, and Pakistan, so most quotes you receive will reference one of them.
How do I read a section name like ISMB 200 or SHS 100x100x4?
ISMB 200 is an IS 808 medium-weight I-beam with a nominal depth of 200 mm. ISMC 150 is a 150 mm channel. ISA 75x75x6 is an equal-leg angle with 75 mm legs and a 6 mm wall. SHS 100x100x4 is a square hollow section, 100 mm by 100 mm with a 4 mm wall, and PIPE NB 50 is a 50 mm nominal-bore pipe per IS 1161 medium class.
How accurate is the unit weight figure?
The unit weight (kg/m) comes from the published IS section tables and is usually within 1 to 2 percent of what you will actually weigh from a yard. Real bars vary slightly because of mill tolerances, surface treatment (galvanised pipes are about 2 to 5 percent heavier than black), and any added flange thickenings. For procurement budgeting the catalog figure is reliable; for exact billing, weigh the supplied bar.
Why is my section not in the list?
We only ship the most common IS 808, IS 1161, and IS 4923 sizes — about 42 entries that cover the bulk of low- and mid-rise structural-steel projects. Specialty sections (heavy ISMB above 600, IS 12778 parallel-flange beams, JIS H beams, ASTM W shapes) are deliberately out of scope. Use the manufacturer's catalog for those and multiply unit weight by length manually.
Does this account for cutting waste?
No. The calculator returns the weight of the exact length you specify. Cutting and end-fitting losses for structural steel are typically 3 to 5 percent of net length on average jobs, and 5 to 8 percent on jobs with many short members. Multiply your total by 1.05 (or 1.08 for short-member jobs) before placing the order.
How does this differ from the Rebar / TMT calculator?
The Rebar calculator targets reinforcement bars (TMT) used inside RCC members — Fe415, Fe500, Fe550 high-yield deformed bars sized 8 mm to 32 mm in diameter. This calculator targets structural steel sections — beams, columns, angles, hollow sections, and pipes used for the steel frame itself or for trusses, lintels, and railings.