Steel Beam Weight Calculator Formula
Understand the math behind the steel beam weight calculator. Each variable explained with a worked example.
Formulas Used
Weight per Beam
single_weight = weight_per_foot * beam_lengthTotal Weight
total_weight = weight_per_foot * beam_length * quantityTotal Weight
total_tons = weight_per_foot * beam_length * quantity / 2000Variables
| Variable | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
weight_per_foot | Beam Weight(lb/ft) | 31 |
beam_length | Beam Length(ft) | 20 |
quantity | Number of Beams | 1 |
How It Works
Steel Beam Weight
Weight = Weight per Foot x Length
Steel beams are designated by their weight per linear foot (e.g., W8x31 weighs 31 lbs/ft). Multiply by the cut length to get the total weight for ordering, shipping, and crane planning.
Worked Example
One W8x31 beam, 20 feet long.
weight_per_foot = 31beam_length = 20quantity = 1
- 01Weight = 31 x 20 = 620 lbs
- 02Total = 620 lbs = 0.31 tons
Ready to run the numbers?
Open Steel Beam Weight Calculator