Estimate HDPE material weight in pounds and kilograms from density and part dimensions for sheets, bars, hollow tubes, angles, T bars, and C channels. The model uses ideal uniform sections and an editable assumed density.

Assumed density: 0.0343 lb/inยณ. Edit it for your grade; ideal uniform sections exclude holes, fittings and corner radii.

HDPE Weight Formulas

The following formulas are used to calculate the weight of HDPE in different shapes.

HDPE Flat Sheet/Square Bar Weight Formula = L * W * T * d

HDPE Round Bar Weight Formula = pi * D^2/4 * L * d

HDPE Square Hollow Tube Weight Formula = [W^2-(W-2T)^2] * L * d

HDPE Round Hollow Tube Weight Formula = pi * (OD^2-ID^2)/4 * L * d

HDPE Square Angle Weight Formula (equal-leg) = (2*W*T – T^2) * L * d

HDPE T Bar Weight Formula = (W*T1 + (H-T1)*T2) * L * d

HDPE C Channel Weight Formula = (2*W*T1 + (H-2*T1)*T2) * L * d

Variables used in these equations: 

  • L is the length
  • W is the width (or outer width / flange width / leg length, depending on shape)
  • H is the overall height (for T bars and C channels)
  • d is the density
  • D is the diameter (round bar)
  • T is the thickness (sheet thickness, wall thickness, or angle thickness, depending on shape)
  • OD is the outer diameter (round hollow tube)
  • ID is the inner diameter (round hollow tube)
  • T1 is the flange thickness (T bars and C channels)
  • T2 is the web thickness (T bars and C channels)

Select each input unit explicitly. The calculator converts in, ft, cm or m to inches and lb/inยณ, g/cmยณ or kg/mยณ to lb/inยณ internally. It assumes constant density and section, square corners for nonround shapes, and no fillets, holes or fittings.

What is the density of HDPE?

A rough illustrative density range for HDPE is about 0.034โ€“0.035 lb/inยณ (approximately 0.94โ€“0.97 g/cmยณ); actual density depends on the grade. The calculator defaults to an assumed 0.0343 lb/inยณ (about 0.9494 g/cmยณ). Edit it using your supplierโ€™s data for a more suitable estimate.