In the fields of engineering, construction, and manufacturing, precise material data is the foundation of successful project execution. Whether you are calculating the dead load of a structure, estimating shipping costs for a piping consignment, or designing a high-performance aerospace component, understanding the density of steel and other alloys is non-negotiable. 

What Is the Density of Steel? 

The typical density of steel ranges between 7.75 g/cm³ and 8.05 g/cm³ (7,750 kg/m³ to 8,050 kg/m³). 

• Carbon Steel & Mild Steel: ~7.85 g/cm³ (7,850 kg/m³) 
• Stainless Steel (300 Series): ~8.00 g/cm³ (8,000 kg/m³) 
• Tool & Alloy Steels: ~7.85 g/cm³ (7,850 kg/m³) 

While iron is the base element for all steels, the addition of alloying elements like chromium, nickel, molybdenum, and tungsten alters the atomic structure and, consequently, the material's mass per unit volume.  

Density of Steel:

For engineers needing quick reference values, the following list categorizes the general density ranges for the most common steel families. 

• Carbon Steel: 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³) 
• Mild Steel: 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³) 
• Alloy Steel: 7.7–8.1 g/cm³ (0.28–0.29 lb/in³) 
• Stainless Steel: 7.75–8.00 g/cm³ (0.28–0.29 lb/in³) 
• Duplex & Super Duplex: 7.80–8.00 g/cm³ (0.28–0.29 lb/in³) 

Steel Density Comparison Overview 

Density of Carbon Steel 

• Density of Carbon Steel is the industry baseline for weight calculations. Because carbon constitutes a very small percentage of the alloy (usually <2%), the density remains consistent with pure iron. 
• Standard Value: 7.85 g/cm³ (7,850 kg/m³) 

Density of Carbon Steel Pipes 

When calculating the weight of carbon steel pipes, adhering to the 7.85 g/cm³ standard is critical. While wall thickness varies by schedule (Sch 40, Sch 80, etc.), the material density remains constant. 

Why does carbon content matter? 
Theoretically, carbon atoms are lighter than iron atoms. However, carbon atoms fit into the interstitial spaces of the iron lattice. While higher carbon content increases hardness and strength, its impact on the density value is negligible for most structural calculations. 

Density of Mild Steel 

Mild steel is a low-carbon steel widely used in construction, fabrication, and general engineering. 

• Exact Density Range: 7.83 – 7.87 g/cm³ 
• Engineering Standard: 7.85 g/cm³ 

Application Example: 
If you are fabricating a structural beam using mild steel sheets, you can estimate the weight per meter simply by calculating the volume and multiplying by 7,850 kg/m³. A 10mm thick plate that is 1 meter by 1 meter weighs approximately 78.5 kg.

Density of Alloy Steel 

• Density of Alloy Steel can fluctuate more than carbon steel due to the significant addition of heavier or lighter elements. 
• Chromium & Molybdenum: Slightly increase density. 
• Tungsten: Significantly increases density (used in high-speed tool steels). 

Common Alloy Steel Grades 

For precise sourcing of these grades, explore our Alloy Steel inventory. 

Density of Stainless Steel (304, 316, 310, 410, Duplex) 

Density of Stainless Steel varies depending on the crystalline structure (Austenitic, Ferritic, or Martensitic). The presence of nickel in 300-series grades makes them slightly heavier than carbon steel, while the lack of nickel in 400-series grades makes them lighter. 

Austenitic Stainless Steel (300 Series) 

Standard for corrosion resistance. 

Ferritic & Martensitic Stainless Steel (400 Series) 

Magnetic, nickel-free grades. 

Density of Duplex & Super Duplex Steel 

Density of Duplex & Super Duplex Steel generally falls between the ferritic and austenitic ranges. These materials are prized in the oil & gas and desalination sectors for their high strength and stress-corrosion cracking resistance. 

• Duplex (UNS S31803 / 2205): 7.80 g/cm³ 
• Super Duplex (UNS S32750 / 2507): 7.80 g/cm³ 

Despite having higher strength than 316L, duplex steels are slightly lighter (7.80 vs 8.00 g/cm³), which can contribute to weight savings in large subsea piping networks. View our range of Duplex Steel for marine applications. 

Density of Non-Ferrous Metals 

For specialized applications requiring high conductivity, extreme lightweight, or specific corrosion resistance, non-ferrous metals are used. 

Density of Titanium Alloys 

Titanium is renowned for its high strength-to-weight ratio. 

• Grade 2 (Commercially Pure): 4.51 g/cm³ 
• Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V): 4.43 g/cm³ 
• Comparison: Titanium is approximately 45% lighter than steel. 

Learn more about our Titanium products. 

Density of Copper & Copper Nickel 

Copper alloys are heavy but essential for thermal and electrical conductivity. 

• Pure Copper: 8.96 g/cm³ 
• Copper Nickel (90/10 & 70/30): 8.90 – 8.94 g/cm³ 

Browse Copper-Nickel for marine condensers. 

Density of Aluminium 

Used extensively where weight reduction is the primary goal. 

• Pure Aluminium: 2.70 g/cm³ 
• 6061 / 6082 Alloys: 2.70 g/cm³ 
• Comparison: Aluminium is roughly one-third the weight of steel. 

Check our stock of Aluminium sheets and bars. 

Density of Brass 

• Cartridge Brass (70/30): 8.53 g/cm³ 
• Muntz Metal (60/40): 8.39 g/cm³ 

Source high-quality Brass components here. 

How to Calculate Density (Formula + Examples) 

To calculate density or weight, use the standard physics formulas. 

Key Formulas: 

• Density ($\rho$) = Mass ($m$) / Volume ($V$) 
• Mass (Weight) = Volume ($V$) × Density ($\rho$) 

Example 1: Calculating Weight of a Round Bar 

Material: Stainless Steel 304 (Density: 8.0 g/cm³) 
Dimensions: Diameter 50mm (5cm), Length 1 meter (100cm) 

Calculate Volume: $V = \pi \times r^2 \times h$ 

Radius ($r$) = 2.5 cm 

$V = 3.14159 \times (2.5)^2 \times 100$ 

$V = 1963.5 \text{ cm}^3$ 

Calculate Mass: 

$\text{Mass} = 1963.5 \times 8.0 = 15,708 \text{ grams}$ 

Weight = 15.71 kg 

(Need sourcing for bars? Visit our Round bars section.) 

Example 2: Calculating Weight of a Plate 

Material: Mild Steel (Density: 7.85 g/cm³) 
Dimensions: 2m x 1m x 10mm thickness 

• Convert to cm: 200cm x 100cm x 1cm 
• Calculate Volume: $200 \times 100 \times 1 = 20,000 \text{ cm}^3$ 
• Calculate Mass: $20,000 \times 7.85 = 157,000 \text{ grams}$ 

Weight = 157 kg 

Steel Density Comparison Chart

Below is the steel density comparison chart covering all major alloys stocked by Nifty Alloys LLC. 

Applications: Why Density Matters in Engineering 

Understanding the specific density value of a metal is not just academic; it has real-world implications in procurement and design. 

• Structural Load Calculations: In construction, the dead load of the steel framework must be calculated precisely to ensure foundation stability. Using the correct density for sheets & plates ensures safety margins are met. 
• Fluid Dynamics & Piping: In the oil & gas industry, the weight of kilometers of pipes impacts the support structures required. Lighter titanium or aluminium piping is sometimes chosen for offshore platforms to reduce topside weight. 
• Logistics & Shipping: Procurement managers must calculate the total tonnage of a shipment to book appropriate freight. A miscalculation in density between 304 SS and 410 SS can lead to weight discrepancies in large orders. 
• Aerospace Efficiency: The low density of Titanium (4.43 g/cm³) compared to Steel (7.85 g/cm³) is why titanium is the preferred metal for aircraft turbines and structural frames. 

 FAQ Section 

1. What is the density of carbon steel? 
The standard density of carbon steel is 7.85 g/cm³ (7,850 kg/m³ or 0.284 lb/in³). 

2. What is the density of mild steel in kg/m³? 
Mild steel has a density of 7,850 kg/m³. 

3. What is the density of stainless steel 304 and 316? 
Both Stainless Steel 304 and 316 generally have a density of 8.00 g/cm³ (8,000 kg/m³), which is slightly higher than carbon steel due to the nickel content. 

4. How do I calculate the density of metal? 
To calculate density, divide the mass of the object by its volume ($\rho = m/v$). To find the weight of a metal part, multiply its volume by the material's density. 

5. Does heat treatment affect density? 
Heat treatment primarily alters the microstructure (e.g., martensite vs. austenite) and hardness. While there are minute changes in volume during phase transformations, for general engineering purposes, the density remains effectively constant. 

6. Which metal has the lowest density? 
Among common engineering metals, Magnesium (1.74 g/cm³) and Aluminium (2.70 g/cm³) have the lowest densities. 

7. Which metal has the highest density? 
Of the common industrial metals, Gold (19.3 g/cm³) and Tungsten (19.25 g/cm³) are extremely dense. In standard construction, Copper (8.96 g/cm³) is one of the heaviest. 

8. What is the density of alloy steel 4140? 
AISI 4140 alloy steel has a density of 7.85 g/cm³, similar to standard carbon steel. 

9. Does density change in pipes vs solid bars? 
No. Density is an intrinsic material property. A cubic centimeter of steel from a pipe wall weighs the same as a cubic centimeter from a solid bar. However, the weight per meter differs because pipes are hollow. 

10. What is the density of copper-nickel marine alloys? 
Copper-Nickel 90/10 has a density of approximately 8.90 g/cm³, making it significantly heavier than steel piping. 

11. Why is density important in mechanical design? 
Density dictates the strength-to-weight ratio. In automotive and aerospace design, selecting lower-density materials (like aluminium or titanium) improves fuel efficiency and performance. 

12. Where can I buy certified steel with verified density? 
For projects requiring strict adherence to material specifications, Nifty Alloys LLC supplies fully certified Carbon, Stainless, and Alloy steels. All our products come with Mill Test Certificates verifying chemical composition and physical properties. 

Conclusion 

Selecting the right material goes beyond just tensile strength and corrosion resistance; weight plays a pivotal role in the success of any engineering project. As shown in our comparison charts, the density of steel varies significantly across grades—from the lighter 400-series stainless to the standard carbon steel and the heavier copper alloys. 

At Nifty Alloys LLC, we understand that precision is paramount. Whether you require lightweight Titanium, corrosion-resistant Duplex, or standard Carbon Steel for heavy fabrication, we provide materials that meet global standards (ASTM, ASME, DIN). 

Need certified materials for your next project? 
Partner with a supplier that guarantees traceability and quality. Explore our full range of Stainless Steel, Carbon Steel, and Non-Ferrous Metals today, or contact our technical team for a custom quote.