4×8 304 Stainless Steel Sheet Prices & Buying Guide
A U.S. retail listing reviewed on 10 September 2026 showed $387.02 for a 48×96 in, 0.048 in thick 304 sheet with No. 4 finish. That is one listed specification, not a national average or delivered quote. To budget another sheet, compare its thickness, finish, processing and freight on the same basis.
Specify the sheet dimensions, finish and delivery requirements together when comparing suppliers.
What does the listed price include?
Start with an exact size and product option. A sheet-price comparison is useful only when both offers cover the same material and order scope.
USD per 48×96 in sheet
Public listing reference reviewed 10 September 2026.
OnlineMetals, part 717: 304 annealed, 18 gauge / 0.048 in, No. 4 finish. The product information lists protective PVC on one side. The price belongs to the 48×96 in option; the page also offers smaller cuts with lower starting prices. [1]
This is a dated advertised price. Freight, tax, stock, extras and checkout terms require a current quotation. It does not establish a bulk rate or a price for another finish or thickness.
Normalize the quote before comparing suppliers
Record grade, decimal thickness, finish, film, quantity and delivery location. Then compare the full order total, including services that are not already in the sheet price. Do not add a polishing or film charge again if the supplier’s rate already includes it.
For a price per square foot, divide the sheet total by 32. For a theoretical price per pound, divide by the calculated sheet weight. The second figure depends on the thickness and density assumptions; it is not necessarily the supplier’s billing basis.
How much does a 4×8 sheet weigh?
At 0.048 in thickness, the theoretical weight is about 63.0 lb / 28.6 kg. More thickness increases weight in direct proportion when the sheet dimensions and density stay the same.
Scroll sideways to view thickness and both weight units.
| Gauge reference | Thickness, in | Thickness, mm | Weight, lb | Weight, kg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | 0.0178 | 0.452 | 23.4 | 10.6 |
| 24 | 0.0235 | 0.597 | 30.9 | 14.0 |
| 22 | 0.0293 | 0.744 | 38.5 | 17.5 |
| 20 | 0.0355 | 0.902 | 46.6 | 21.1 |
| 18 | 0.0480 | 1.219 | 63.0 | 28.6 |
| 16 | 0.0595 | 1.511 | 78.1 | 35.4 |
| 14 | 0.0751 | 1.908 | 98.6 | 44.7 |
| 12 | 0.1054 | 2.677 | 138.4 | 62.8 |
| 11 | 0.1200 | 3.048 | 157.6 | 71.5 |
| 10 | 0.1350 | 3.429 | 177.3 | 80.4 |
Gauge/thickness pairs follow the Stainless Supply line card, pp. 5 and 7. [2] Density follows Outokumpu’s Core 304/4301 data, Table 8, p. 10. [3] Weights exclude film and packaging. Actual thickness, dimensions and the seller’s weight convention can change billed weight.
Example: 48 × 96 × 0.048 × 0.285 = 63.03744 lb, rounded to 63.0 lb. Convert pounds to kilograms by multiplying by 0.45359237.
Use decimal thickness as the controlling callout. Gauge is a useful reference, but it is not a complete tolerance specification. For metric purchasing, 48×96 in converts to 1219.2×2438.4 mm; a 1220×2440 mm stock sheet is close, but is not the exact same size.
Do not choose a thinner sheet from price alone. Stiffness, support spacing, forming, dent resistance and weld distortion still have to suit the part.
Calculate an order from a price per pound
Use your supplier’s USD/lb rate for the required finish. Add only excluded extras. The starting values below are an illustrative example, not market prices or an Oceanplayer Laser quotation.
Order estimate
Before tax and import duties. Contingency applies to the entered sheet, extras, freight and packaging subtotal.
Illustrative starting example shown. Replace the inputs with your quotation.
Worked example and formula
Total = [(sheet weight × USD/lb × quantity) + (extras per sheet × quantity) + order freight and packaging] × (1 + contingency ÷ 100).
With 10 sheets at 0.048 in, an assumed $5.00/lb, $12 extras per sheet and $150 freight/packaging, the subtotal is $3,421.87. A 5% budget uplift produces $3,592.97, or $359.30 per sheet. Calculations use unrounded weight; displayed results are rounded.
The estimate excludes tax, import duties, finance costs and scrap recovery. It does not predict usable blanks. A 5% uplift is not the same as dividing cost by a 95% accepted yield.
A brushed surface has a directional grain. Specify that direction and an approved appearance sample for visible parts.
Agree on appearance before ordering. Name the presentation side, grain direction, protective film and comparison sample. A finish designation alone does not settle every cosmetic detail.
How 2B, No. 4, BA and mirror finishes affect the quote
These finishes follow different production routes. Compare the finished specification, including the required sides and protection, instead of applying a fixed polishing premium.
A general-purpose cold-rolled finish with a final pass on polished rolls. It is often a useful starting point for parts that do not need a decorative directional grain.
A brushed or polished finish with a directional grain. Specify grain direction, appearance sample and which side must meet the cosmetic requirement.
Bright annealed in a controlled atmosphere after cold rolling. It is smoother and brighter than 2B, but should not be ordered as though it were the same finish as a polished mirror.
A highly reflective surface made through progressively finer polishing and buffing. Agree on handling and cosmetic acceptance as part of the order.
Finish routes: worldstainless surface treatment guide.
Film needs its own check. “PVC included” does not establish laser compatibility. Ask the fabricator which film is suitable and when it must be removed before cutting or welding.
When does buying more reduce the real cost?
A quantity discount helps only if the extra sheets are useful and the full order still fits your cash, storage and production needs.
Request realistic quantity tiers
Ask the same supplier to price your actual order sizes with an unchanged specification and destination. Compare one shipment with scheduled releases. Record minimum line charges, storage fees and the terms for holding or changing the price.
A local service center may suit repeat mixed-gauge orders; an online retailer may suit a small cut order; a polishing specialist may be useful when appearance controls acceptance. Choose from the services needed, not the channel name alone.
Make the price-validity terms explicit
Ask whether the quoted rate includes the alloy surcharge, which period applies, and when the price becomes fixed. Keep the quote expiry date, currency and delivery window with the comparison. For imported material, show separately who is responsible for freight and import charges.
A delivered-cost example
Illustrative quotes for the same 10 accepted sheets, with the same finish, services and tax basis:
- Supplier A: 10 × $300
- $3,000
- A: freight and packaging
- $650
- A: delivered subtotal
- $3,650
- Supplier B: 10 × $330
- $3,300
- B: freight and packaging
- $250
- B: delivered subtotal
- $3,550
B’s higher sheet price produces a $100 lower delivered subtotal. This example assumes equivalent accepted material; it is not an actual supplier offer.
Plan delivery before accepting the quote. Confirm flat support, edge protection, unloading access, delivery appointments and any liftgate charge. Ask how dents, scratches and freight damage will be documented and resolved.
If production yield differs, compare cost per accepted blank or assembly. Nominal cost per square foot does not account for cutting layout, damaged edges or cosmetic rejects.
Specify 304, 304L and the required documentation
304L’s lower carbon content reduces carbide precipitation from welding heat and improves resistance to intergranular corrosion. The appropriate grade still depends on the design and service. [3] A dual-certified 304/304L supply must meet both designations; confirm it on the material test report.
For the welding detail, see what changes when welding 304 versus 304L.
ASTM A240 and A480 have different roles
A240/A240M specifies stainless plate, sheet and strip, including chemical and mechanical requirements. A480/A480M provides general requirements that apply alongside listed product specifications. [5][6]
State the required edition and any tighter project requirements. Thickness tolerance depends on the applicable product and table; avoid treating one tolerance as universal. The A240 vs A480 buyer guide covers this distinction in more detail.
Send a specification suppliers can quote consistently
Use the same request for each bidder. Add a drawing or an approved finish sample when the order includes cut parts or visible surfaces.
Material and dimensions: required grade or dual certification; 48×96 in; decimal thickness and applicable tolerances; quantity and release schedule.
Surface: finish designation; presentation side; grain direction; film type and protected sides; cosmetic acceptance reference.
Processing and records: cut sizes, holes, deburring and flatness; governing specification; material test report, heat traceability and origin documentation where required.
Commercial terms: per-sheet or weight-based price; included and excluded extras; freight and packaging; delivery destination and unloading needs; quote expiry and surcharge basis.
Include cutting layout, joint preparation and finishing in the cost of the completed part.
Budget for the finished part
Cutting layout, surface protection, bending, weld preparation and finishing can change the cost per accepted part. For welded products, include the requirements of the stainless steel laser-welding process in the material enquiry.
Share the grade, thickness, finish, drawing and joint with Oceanplayer Laser to discuss a proposed welding process and the trial evidence needed.
Related material decisions
Price and technical references
- OnlineMetals — part 717, 0.048 in 304 No. 4 sheet. Public price reference for the 48×96 in option; reviewed 10 September 2026.
- Stainless Supply — stainless steel line card. Gauge and decimal thickness pairs, pp. 5 and 7; not a price list or universal gauge standard.
- Outokumpu — Core range datasheet. 304/304L characteristics and density; Table 8, p. 10.
- worldstainless — surface treatment. 2B, BA, No. 4 and No. 8 finish definitions.
- ASTM A240/A240M-26 — official scope. Stainless plate, sheet and strip product requirements.
- ASTM A480/A480M-25b — official scope. General requirements for flat-rolled stainless products.