How to calculate steel quantity and theoretical weight

A clear steel enquiry can be prepared in three steps: determine the required total length or number of sheets, apply the order increment shown for the position, and calculate the approximate mass from the theoretical weight in the table.

Separate factory length from the quantity you order

Factory length describes the physical length of the supplied product. The increment shown above the quantity control explains how much one unit adds to the enquiry basket. If a 12 m product is sold in 6 m increments, one unit means 6 m. A requirement of 18 m therefore equals 3 units.

Other products may use 3 m, 6 m, 7 m or another increment. Check the exact position in the product catalogue before calculating the quantity.

Calculate the weight of tubes, profiles and bars

Long products show theoretical weight in kilograms per metre. Use this formula:

total theoretical weight = kg/m x total length in metres.

If a position weighs 2.50 kg/m and the order contains 18 m, the approximate mass is 45 kg. The value shown with the quantity changes as units are added or removed.

Calculate sheet quantity and weight

Sheets are ordered by piece. Their tables state thickness, width, length and theoretical weight per sheet. Multiply the weight of one sheet by the number of sheets. Thickness alone is not enough, because sheets of the same thickness but different formats have different masses.

Why the weight is theoretical

The value is intended for preliminary quantity and transport planning. Actual mass may differ slightly because of manufacturing tolerances, so it is not a weighing document.

Check these points before sending the enquiry

• product type and steel grade;
• dimensions, thickness and standard;
• factory length and order increment;
• the number of units needed for the total length;
• cutting and delivery requirements.

Enter non-standard cutting lengths in the enquiry notes. The need for cutting and delivery services can also be selected in the form.