Density of Common Metals: Steel, Aluminum, Copper, Titanium and Brass
For quick estimates, use 7,850 kg/m³ for carbon steel, 2,700 for 6061 aluminum, 8,960 for pure copper, 4,510 for Grade 2 titanium and 8,530 for C260 brass. Use the exact alloy value when mass affects design, price, lifting or freight.
7,850 kg/m³ or about 0.284 lb/in³.
About 65.6% lighter than steel at equal volume.
About 14.1% heavier than steel at equal volume.
Lighter than steel, but heavier than aluminum.
Usually heavier than steel and lighter than copper.
Metal density chart in metric and imperial units
The values below are nominal near room temperature. The row label matters: “steel” is a practical estimating convention, while 6061, C11000 and Ti-6Al-4V are defined commercial materials. Use the specified grade for a released drawing or purchase order.
| Material / grade | kg/m³ | g/cm³ | lb/in³ | lb/ft³ | Practical note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon or structural steelCommon estimate | 7,850 | 7.85 | 0.284 | 490 | Useful for early bills of material and section weight checks. |
| Stainless steel 304/304LOutokumpu basis at 20°C | 7,900 | 7.90 | 0.285 | 493 | Slightly lower than 316/316L. |
| Stainless steel 316/316LOutokumpu basis at 20°C | 8,000 | 8.00 | 0.289 | 499 | Grade choice matters across large batches. |
| Aluminum 6061Kaiser nominal at 20°C | 2,700 | 2.70 | 0.098 | 169 | Common lightweight structural alloy. |
| Aluminum 7075Kaiser nominal at 20°C | 2,800 | 2.80 | 0.101 | 175 | About 3.7% denser than 6061 by equal volume. |
| Pure copperElemental reference | 8,960 | 8.96 | 0.324 | 559 | Do not substitute for a named commercial copper alloy. |
| Copper C11000 ETPCDA nominal at 68°F | 8,910 | 8.91 | 0.322 | 556 | Common high-conductivity commercial copper. |
| Titanium Grade 2Commercially pure grade | 4,510 | 4.51 | 0.163 | 282 | Corrosion-resistant and formable; not as light as aluminum. |
| Ti-6Al-4V Grade 5TIMET value at 22°C | 4,420 | 4.42 | 0.160 | 276 | High specific strength; slightly lighter than Grade 2. |
| Brass C26000Cartridge brass | 8,530 | 8.53 | 0.308 | 533 | A useful brass reference, not a value for every brass. |
| Brass C36000Free-cutting brass | 8,500 | 8.50 | 0.307 | 531 | Often selected for machining performance. |
Rounded values are best for routine estimating. Extra decimal places do not make an approximate family value more accurate.
Which metal is heaviest?
For the same solid volume, copper and brass are heavier than steel. Titanium sits between steel and aluminum. The bars use carbon steel as 100%.
Metal weight calculator
Choose a material and shape, then enter dimensions. The result is a theoretical mass based on nominal density and geometry—not a certified shipping or lifting weight.
13.50 kg
One 6061 aluminum plate at 1,000 × 500 × 10 mm.
Check drawing revision, holes, tolerances, coatings, weld metal, oil and packaging. Verify critical gross weight on a suitable scale.
What does metal density mean?
Density tells you how much mass fits into a given volume. A small copper block can be heavier than a larger aluminum block because copper packs more mass into each cubic centimeter.
In engineering, mass density is written as ρ (rho). The SI unit is kg/m³. Product drawings and supplier data also use g/cm³, kg/dm³, lb/in³ and lb/ft³.
Mass and weight: engineers distinguish mass from weight force. In daily purchasing and freight work, “weight in kg” normally means mass. Use density for the mass calculation; include gravity only when you need force.
The relationship
- ρ = density
- m = mass
- V = net material volume
Rearrange it for weight estimates: m = ρ × V.
Convert metal density without a spreadsheet error
| Convert from | Convert to | Operation | Steel example |
|---|---|---|---|
| g/cm³ | kg/m³ | Multiply by 1,000 | 7.85 × 1,000 = 7,850 kg/m³ |
| g/cm³ | lb/in³ | Multiply by 0.0361273 | 7.85 ≈ 0.2836 lb/in³ |
| g/cm³ | lb/ft³ | Multiply by 62.428 | 7.85 ≈ 490.1 lb/ft³ |
| lb/in³ | kg/m³ | Multiply by 27,679.90 | 0.2836 ≈ 7,850 kg/m³ |
With millimeter drawings, use: mass (kg) = density (g/cm³) × volume (mm³) ÷ 1,000,000.
Why one metal family has more than one density
Steel, aluminum, titanium and brass are alloy families. Their chemistry changes the mass inside a given volume. Temperature, pores and measurement method can also move the result.
Steel
Use 7.85 g/cm³ for early carbon-steel estimates. 304 stainless is about 7.90 and 316/316L about 8.00. For beams and profiles, a producer's mass-per-length table is often better.
How steel composition works →Aluminum
6061 is about 2.70 g/cm³; 7075 is about 2.80. Aluminum is close to one-third the density of steel at equal volume, but a replacement design may need a different section.
Compare 6061 and 7075 →Copper
Pure copper is about 8.96 g/cm³. C11000 ETP is about 8.91. State whether the part is OFHC, ETP, phosphorus-deoxidized or another copper alloy.
OFHC vs ETP copper →Titanium
Grade 2 is about 4.51 g/cm³; Ti-6Al-4V is about 4.42. Titanium is heavier than aluminum but much lighter than steel for equal volume.
Titanium property comparison →Brass
C260 cartridge brass is about 8.53 g/cm³; common brass grades can range around 8.39–8.75. Specify the UNS grade before ordering or calculating a large batch.
Brass and bronze differences →Temperature matters too. A solid usually expands as it gets hotter. The same mass then fills a larger volume, so density falls. Room-temperature chart values are not enough for cryogenic, hot-service or precision metrology work.
How to calculate plate, round bar and tube weight
First calculate net volume. Then multiply by the chosen density. Keep every dimension in one unit system, and subtract holes or cavities before the final multiplication.
Plate, sheet or block
Volume = length × width × thicknessExample: 1,000 × 500 × 10 mm of 6061 aluminum = 13.50 kg.
Solid round bar
Volume = π × diameter² × length ÷ 4Do not use radius where the formula asks for diameter.
Round tube
Volume = π × (OD² − ID²) × length ÷ 4Tube mass is sensitive to wall tolerance and ovality.
Same-size 1 m² plates
A 1,000 × 1,000 × 10 mm solid plate has a volume of 0.010 m³. The mass changes with material even though every outside dimension stays the same.
Important: equal volume is not equal performance. A real substitution may need a new thickness, rib pattern, joint or support.
Why actual metal weight differs from theoretical weight
A density calculation normally gives nominal net metal mass. The scale can show a different number because the real part and package include more—or less—than the simple model.
Confirm the grade
Match the density to the alloy, product form and reference temperature.
Calculate net volume
Use released CAD or tolerance-aware dimensions. Subtract holes and cavities.
Add process material
Include machining stock, weld metal, coatings, inserts, oil and protective film as needed.
Add packaging tare
Include pallets, crates, straps, fasteners, barrier film and dunnage.
Verify gross mass
Use a suitable scale before lifting, booking freight or issuing critical documents.
Dimensional tolerance can dominate
A small thickness or diameter difference becomes a large mass change across wide sheets, long bars or a production batch. Calculate minimum and maximum cases when payload or billing is sensitive.
A model can still be wrong
Check units, drawing revision, material assignment, suppressed holes, duplicated bodies, machining stock and included hardware. Compare CAD mass with a simple hand calculation.
Coatings and assemblies add mass
Plating, cladding, weld deposit, fasteners, inserts, corrosion allowance and trapped process media may be small per part but material across a full order.
Net is not gross
Packaging adds tare mass. Freight planning also needs package size, center of gravity, floor loading, lifting points and the route's payload rules.
Solid density, apparent density and porosity
The chart describes solid metal. It should not be applied directly to powder, chips, turnings, porous castings, sintered parts, lattice structures or metal foam.
| Density basis | What volume is counted | Typical material | Do not confuse it with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theoretical or pore-free | Solid material without pores. | Composition reference or wrought alloy. | Actual porous-part envelope density. |
| Bulk or envelope | External volume including internal voids. | Sintered, cast or additive part. | Fully dense wrought-alloy value. |
| Powder apparent density | Powder mass divided by loose bulk volume. | Free-flowing metal powder. | Solid alloy density. |
| Loose scrap bulk density | Scrap mass divided by container volume. | Chips, turnings and offcuts. | A solid billet with the same outside box. |
Report the method with the number. Powder apparent density, sintered-part density and pore-free alloy density answer different questions. A value without its test or volume basis is easy to misuse.
How density affects design, cost and sourcing
Density is essential, but it is not a complete material score. The lightest equal-volume block may not produce the lightest compliant part.
Mass changes loads and motion
Density affects gravity load, acceleration force, center of mass, inertia, impact energy, balance and natural frequency. Verify the solver's unit system with a simple block before trusting a complex model.
Resize before comparing
A low-density material can need a deeper section, thicker wall or more support. Compare designs that meet the same strength, deflection, fatigue, buckling, temperature and corrosion requirements.
Price per kilogram is not part cost
Include purchased stock, cutting yield, machining time, joining, heat treatment, inspection, coating, freight, scrap credit and service life. Density is only one input.
Dense and bulky cargo fail differently
Copper may reach a payload or floor-load limit before using available volume. A light aluminum fabrication may use package cube first. Check both mass and dimensions.
Useful question: Which specified grade, product form and manufacturing route meets the function at the lowest acceptable total risk and lifecycle cost?
What to include when weight affects a quote
Material and geometry
- Exact alloy or grade and governing standard
- Sheet, plate, bar, tube, casting, forging or powder part
- Temper, anneal or heat-treatment condition
- Released drawing/CAD revision and quantity
- Nominal dimensions, tolerances and machining allowance
Mass boundary
- Starting-stock, finished-part, net, tare or gross mass
- Density source and temperature if contract-critical
- Coating, plating, weld metal, inserts or oil to include
- Theoretical versus scale-weight invoicing basis
- Required scale accuracy and acceptance tolerance
Quality evidence
- Certificate of conformity or material test certificate
- Heat/lot traceability and positive material identification
- Inspection, sampling and independent witness needs
- Density or porosity method for powder/sintered parts
- Precedence if supplier and receiving results differ
Packaging and transport
- Mass per piece, bundle, pallet, crate and shipment
- Destination and freight mode
- Package size, center of gravity and lifting points
- Forklift, crane, rack, floor and carrier limits
- Cutting loss, samples, spares and scrap ownership
Metal density FAQ
Short answers for design, quoting and material comparison.
What is the density of steel in kg/m³?
Carbon and structural steel are commonly estimated at 7,850 kg/m³, equal to 7.85 g/cm³ or about 490 lb/ft³. This is a practical nominal value, not an exact value for every grade. Stainless 304 is commonly about 7,900 kg/m³ and 316/316L about 8,000 kg/m³.
How much lighter is aluminum than steel?
For the same solid volume, 6061 aluminum at 2.70 g/cm³ has about 34.4% of the mass of carbon steel at 7.85 g/cm³. In other words, it is about 65.6% lighter. A real part may need a different geometry, so compare completed designs—not only equal-size blocks.
Is copper heavier than steel?
Yes, for equal volume. Pure copper at about 8.96 g/cm³ is roughly 14.1% heavier than carbon steel at 7.85 g/cm³. C11000 ETP copper is about 8.91 g/cm³.
Is titanium lighter than aluminum?
No. Common titanium grades are about 4.42–4.51 g/cm³, while common aluminum alloys are about 2.70–2.80 g/cm³. Titanium is heavier than aluminum but substantially lighter than steel for equal volume.
Is brass heavier than steel or copper?
Most common brasses are heavier than carbon steel but lighter than pure copper at equal volume. C260 brass is about 8.53 g/cm³, compared with 7.85 for steel and 8.96 for pure copper. The exact brass alloy matters.
Why do metal density charts show different values?
They may refer to different alloys, purities, temperatures, product conditions, pore-volume definitions or rounding rules. Check the row label, source, units and measurement basis before deciding that two charts conflict.
How do I calculate metal plate, bar or tube weight?
Calculate net volume, then multiply by the grade-specific density. Plate volume is L × W × T; round-bar volume is πd²L/4; tube volume is π(OD² − ID²)L/4. Keep units consistent and subtract holes or cavities.
Can density identify an unknown metal?
It can narrow the choices, but it rarely proves an alloy. Different grades overlap, and coatings, pores, trapped liquid, volume error or scale error can move the result. Use traceable certificates, PMI, chemistry or another suitable test for reliable identification.
Should an RFQ use theoretical or actual weight?
Use theoretical mass for early estimates or when a contract adopts a nominal standard basis. Use verified net or gross scale mass for final freight, lifting, customs, inventory or billing when risk requires it. State the agreed basis clearly.
Sources
- NIST Guide to the SI, Chapter 8 — definition of mass density and SI unit kg/m³.
- NIST mass-density conversion factors — conversions for g/cm³, kg/m³, lb/in³ and lb/ft³.
- Kaiser Aluminum 6061 sheet, coil and plate data — nominal density 2.70 Mg/m³ at 20°C.
- Outokumpu Supra stainless range data — 316/316L density basis.
- Copper Development Association C11000 data — ETP copper density and specific gravity.
- Copper Development Association C26000 data — cartridge brass density and physical properties.
- TIMETAL 6-4 data sheet — Ti-6Al-4V density at 22°C.
- Hydro facts about aluminum — practical equal-volume comparison with steel.
Values are nominal reference data for planning. Confirm the current producer data, specification and contract requirements for the exact grade and product form.
Need help matching the material to a laser process?
Send the alloy grade, product form, dimensions, surface condition, joint or cleaning task, quantity and target result. Oceanplayer can recommend a practical laser cleaning, welding or marking route and the checks needed before production.