What this calculator does
This aluminium weight calculator multiplies a sheet or plate's volume by its density to give the weight. Aluminium is a fraction of the weight of steel for the same dimensions, which is exactly why it gets specified for anything where handling weight, shipping cost or structural load matters: cladding, brackets, boat hulls, vehicle panels and general fabrication stock.
The one number worth checking before you trust the result is density. Pure aluminium sits close to 2,700 kg/m³, but the alloys actually sold as sheet, from the common structural 6061 to the softer 1100 or the higher-strength 7075, vary by a few hundred kg/m³ either side of that. The density field here is editable for exactly that reason, so the weight of aluminium sheet you calculate matches the alloy on the mill certificate rather than a generic assumption.
The formula
Convert length, width and thickness to metres, multiply them together for volume in cubic metres, then multiply by density in kg/m³ to get weight in kilograms. The result is also shown in pounds for anyone working in imperial units.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Density | Mass per unit volume of the specific alloy, in kg/m³. Common aluminium alloys sit roughly between 2,600 and 2,810 kg/m³. |
| Volume | Length × width × thickness, converted to cubic metres so it pairs with a density given in kg/m³. |
| Weight | Volume × density, the mass of the sheet or plate as specified. |
The inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Length (mm) | The length of the sheet or plate. |
| Width (mm) | The width of the sheet or plate. |
| Thickness (mm) | The thickness of the sheet or plate, usually the smallest dimension. |
| Density (common aluminium alloys ≈ 2700 kg/m³, edit for a specific alloy) (kg/m³) | Density for the specific aluminium alloy. Leave at 2,700 kg/m³ for a generic estimate, or enter the figure from a mill certificate or datasheet for an exact one. |
When to use it
Costing a fabrication job
Suppliers price sheet aluminium by weight as often as by area, so converting the cut dimensions to weight of aluminium sheet gives a direct materials cost before an order is placed.
Checking shipping or handling limits
A panel that looks manageable by its footprint can be awkward once its actual weight is known; this is a quick check before assuming one person can lift or a courier can carry a given sheet.
Comparing aluminium against steel for the same part
Running the same length, width and thickness through this calculator and the steel plate weight calculator shows the weight saving side by side, since aluminium is roughly a third the density of steel.
Worked examples
Every figure in the tables below is produced by this page’s own calculator at build time, so the numbers and the tool always agree. Select any row to load that scenario.
How the weight of an aluminium sheet changes with thickness
A fixed 1,000 × 500 mm sheet, at a range of common thicknesses.
| Thickness | Weight | In pounds |
|---|---|---|
| 1 mm | 1.35 kg | 2.98 lb |
| 3 mm | 4.05 kg | 8.93 lb |
| 6 mm | 8.10 kg | 17.86 lb |
| 10 mm | 13.50 kg | 29.76 lb |
| 16 mm | 21.60 kg | 47.62 lb |
| 25 mm | 33.75 kg | 74.41 lb |
How the weight of aluminium compares across common alloy densities
A fixed sheet size, at a range of alloy densities from softer to higher-strength aluminium grades.
| Density | Weight | In pounds |
|---|---|---|
| 2650 kg/m³ | 3.98 kg | 8.76 lb |
| 2700 kg/m³ | 4.05 kg | 8.93 lb |
| 2710 kg/m³ | 4.07 kg | 8.96 lb |
| 2780 kg/m³ | 4.17 kg | 9.19 lb |
| 2810 kg/m³ | 4.22 kg | 9.29 lb |
Questions
What density should I use for aluminium?
For a quick estimate, 2,700 kg/m³ is a reasonable middle figure for common aluminium alloys. For an exact weight of aluminium sheet, use the density printed on the mill certificate or alloy datasheet, since different alloys and tempers vary by a few hundred kg/m³.
Why is aluminium so much lighter than steel for the same size?
Aluminium's density is roughly a third of steel's, close to 2,700 kg/m³ against roughly 7,850 kg/m³ for mild steel. A sheet of identical length, width and thickness in aluminium weighs about a third as much.
Does this work for aluminium bar, angle or tube, not just flat sheet?
The underlying formula, volume times density, works for any shape once you have its true volume. For flat sheet or plate, length × width × thickness gives that volume directly, which is what this calculator assumes.
Does thickness tolerance matter for the calculated weight?
Mill thickness tolerances can shift actual weight by a percent or two either way. For a precise order weight, use the actual measured thickness rather than the nominal figure if it is available.
For the same calculation on steel, see the steel plate weight calculator. For glass panels instead of metal, see the glass weight calculator.