Aluminum Weight Calculator

Aluminum Alloy Density Chart — All 14 Alloys

Different aluminum alloys have meaningfully different densities, which translates directly into different weights for pieces of identical dimensions. The table below covers all 14 alloys supported in our calculator:

The practical takeaway: for most structural and architectural work, 2700 kg/m³ works as a reliable default. Where it really matters is at the extremes — alloy 3103 is nearly 40% denser than alloy 5083, meaning two identically sized pieces can have a 40% weight difference from alloy choice alone. If your application is weight-sensitive — aerospace, automotive lightweighting, or marine — always confirm the density for your exact alloy.

Aluminum Weight by Shape — Formulas and Real Examples

Our calculator supports 11 different shapes. Here's the volume formula behind each one, along with the most common real-world applications:

Real Example — Aluminum Tube: A 2" outer diameter tube with 0.125" wall thickness and a 10-foot length in alloy 6063 (density 2700 kg/m³) — inner diameter = 1.75", volume = π × (1² − 0.875²) × 120" = 69.12 in³, weight = 69.12 × 0.0975 = 6.74 lbs per tube.

Real Example — Aluminum Can: A standard 12 oz beverage can (2.6" diameter, 4.8" height, 0.0043" wall) weighs approximately 0.5 oz (0.03 lbs). That means roughly 33 empty aluminum cans add up to one pound.

How Much Does a 4×8 Sheet of Aluminum Weigh?

This is one of the most searched aluminum weight questions online. The answer changes based on thickness — here are the standard weights for a 4' × 8' (48" × 96") sheet using the average aluminum density of 2700 kg/m³:

For alloy 7075 (density 2800 kg/m³), add approximately 3.7% to these figures. For lighter alloys like 5083 (2650 kg/m³), subtract about 1.9%. For any non-standard size or thickness, use the calculator above for an exact result.

Aluminum vs Steel: Weight Comparison

The biggest reason aluminum gets specified over steel in transportation, aerospace, and portable structures is weight. Here's a direct density comparison across common structural metals:

In practice, an aluminum structural member is roughly one-third the weight of an equivalent steel piece. That's a freight saving, a handling safety improvement, and often a structural load advantage when the supporting structure also benefits from carrying less total weight. Where steel still wins: raw tensile strength and cost per pound. But when you factor in aluminum's superior strength-to-weight ratio — particularly alloy 7075-T6 with tensile strength up to 83,000 psi — aluminum becomes the preferred choice for any weight-sensitive application.

Aluminum Weight for Shipping and Handling

Getting the weight right matters the moment you need to move your material. Here are the standard handling thresholds used across the industry:

• Under 50 lbs — Single-person lift. Ships as standard parcel or ground freight with no special requirements. Most aluminum sheet thicknesses up to 1/8" in smaller sizes fall here.
• 50–150 lbs — Two-person lift recommended. Standard 4×8 sheets at 1/4" and above. May require a lift gate for residential or non-dock deliveries.
• 150–500 lbs — Forklift required for safe handling. Bundles of aluminum tubes, large plate orders, or multiple heavy sheets. Ships as LTL freight, not parcel.
• Over 500 lbs — Heavy-equipment rigging needed. Full pallets of sheet stock, large structural extrusions. Requires a freight carrier with flatbed or specialized equipment.

Dimensional Weight vs Actual Weight: Shipping carriers charge based on whichever is greater — actual scale weight or dimensional weight (package volume ÷ carrier's dimensional factor). Large, lightweight aluminum pieces such as thin sheets and hollow tubing frequently get billed on dimensional weight rather than scale weight. Always confirm with your carrier using both the actual weight from this calculator and the package dimensions before finalizing a freight quote.

For material cost estimates, enter your aluminum price per pound in the Cost Estimator section of the calculator above. It automatically multiplies your calculated weight by the unit price to give a total material cost — useful for quoting customers or budgeting projects before you place an order.

Frequently Asked Questions About Aluminum Weight

What is the weight of aluminum per cubic inch?
The weight of aluminum per cubic inch is 0.0975 pounds (2.7 grams), based on the average density of 2700 kg/m³. Individual alloys vary — aluminum 7075 weighs 0.1011 lb/in³, while aluminum 5083 weighs 0.0957 lb/in³.

What is the density of aluminum 6061?
Aluminum 6061 has a density of 2700 kg/m³ (2.70 g/cm³ or 0.0975 lb/in³). It's one of the most widely used structural aluminum alloys, found in aircraft frames, bicycle components, yacht hulls, automotive parts, and scuba tanks.

How much does aluminum weigh compared to steel?
Aluminum weighs roughly one-third of steel. Steel has a density of about 7.85 g/cm³ versus aluminum's 2.70 g/cm³, making aluminum approximately 65% lighter for the same volume.

Why does alloy choice affect weight so much?
Aluminum alloys are created by adding elements — magnesium, silicon, copper, zinc, manganese — each with its own atomic weight. Alloys with heavier elements (like zinc in 7075) produce denser material. Alloys with significant magnesium content (5083, 5754) tend to be slightly lighter. The total alloying content rarely exceeds 3–5%, which is why most aluminum alloys stay close to 2700 kg/m³ — with alloy 3103 being a notable exception at 3730 kg/m³.

Are the calculator results exact?
Our calculator produces theoretical weights based on nominal dimensions and published alloy densities. In practice, actual weight can vary 0.5–2% due to manufacturing tolerances in wall thickness, gauge variation in sheet, and minor compositional variance within the alloy specification. For precision applications, request a certified weight from your material supplier.

What unit is aluminum typically sold in?
In North America, aluminum is sold and priced by the pound. In Europe and most of the world, it's sold by the kilogram. Our calculator displays results in both pounds and kilograms simultaneously, along with ounces and total cubic volume.

Tips for Accurate Aluminum Weight Calculations

• Verify actual dimensions, not just nominal. Tube labeled "2-inch" may have a true outer diameter of 2.000" or slightly less depending on the manufacturing standard. Whenever possible, measure the actual piece rather than relying solely on the labeled size.
• Use the correct alloy density. If you don't know the exact alloy but know the series (6xxx for extrusions, 5xxx for marine plate), the average 2700 kg/m³ gives results within 2–3% for most common alloys.
• Keep unit systems consistent. Mixing inches and millimeters in the same calculation is the single most common source of errors. Our calculator accepts each dimension in its own unit, so you can enter measurements exactly as they appear on your drawing.
• Add 5–10% for material scrap. When using weight to estimate material purchases, cutting and machining generate waste. A conservative 10% overage on your weight-based order ensures you won't run short mid-project.
• Use the quantity field for batch orders. Enter the number of identical pieces in the Quantity field to get the total batch weight — useful for freight quotes and cost calculations without having to multiply manually.
• Confirm with your supplier for critical applications. For structural engineering, aerospace, or any safety-critical use, treat calculator output as an estimate and verify against the certified mill report from your material supplier.

All weights are theoretical estimates based on nominal dimensions and standard alloy densities per published engineering references. Actual weights may vary due to manufacturing tolerances. Use results for planning and estimation; verify against certified mill reports for critical structural applications.