← Back to Bead BoardSteel round bar weight calculator
Mild steel round bar. 1018, A36, and every other hot-rolled round. Diameter in, length in, weight out. A 1 inch round 12 feet long is 32 pounds. A 2 inch round 20 feet long is 214 pounds. No guessing, no chart scrolling.
Quick answer
Calculate mild steel round bar weight by diameter and length.
Mild steel round bar weight per foot
Formula: π × (D/2)² × length × 0.2836. Real bar stock varies by a percent or two based on mill tolerance.
Questions welders ask about this one
How do you calculate round bar weight?
Multiply the cross-section area (π times the radius squared) by the length and by the density. For mild steel: π × (D/2)² × length × 0.2836 lb/in³. A 1 inch round bar 12 inches long = π × 0.25 × 12 × 0.2836 = 2.67 lb.
Is 1018 the same weight as A36 round bar?
Yes. 1018 and A36 have the same density to within any measurement you care about (0.2836 lb/in³). The difference is chemistry and mechanical properties, not weight.
Why does my 20 foot bar weigh less than the calculator says?
Mill tolerance. Hot-rolled bar can run 2–3% light from nominal diameter, especially on longer lengths. Cold-drawn and ground stock is closer to spec. If you are buying by the pound, check the supplier certification.
Weight is only half of material cost. To turn these pounds into a number you can quote, run the weld cost calculator for wire, gas, and labor per inch, or the job pricing calculator to build the whole bid.
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