Wire Weight Calculator
Calculate the total weight of wire based on material, gauge, and length.
Calculated Weight:
0.00lbs
Understanding Wire Weight Calculations
Calculating the weight of a wire is essential for logistics, structural engineering, and electrical installations. Whether you are shipping bulk copper spools or calculating the tension on a suspended cable, knowing the precise weight helps in planning and safety.
The Formula for Wire Weight
The weight of a wire is determined by its volume and the density of the material it is made from. Since a wire is essentially a long cylinder, we use the following formula:
Weight = Cross-sectional Area × Length × Density
- Area: π × (Diameter / 2)²
- Volume: Area × Length
- Weight: Volume × Material Density
Common Material Densities
| Material | Density (g/cm³) | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Copper | 8.96 | Electrical wiring, motors, transformers. |
| Aluminum | 2.70 | Power transmission lines, lightweight structures. |
| Steel (Carbon) | 7.85 | Support wires, guy wires, springs. |
| Brass | 8.50 | Decorative elements, musical instruments, fasteners. |
What is AWG?
AWG stands for American Wire Gauge. It is a standardized wire gauge system used primarily in North America for the diameters of round, solid, nonferrous, electrically conducting wire. As the AWG number increases, the wire diameter decreases. For example, a 10 AWG wire is much thicker than a 24 AWG wire.
Example Calculation
If you have 100 meters of Copper wire with a 2mm diameter:
- Convert diameter to cm: 0.2 cm
- Radius = 0.1 cm
- Area = π × (0.1)² = 0.0314 cm²
- Length = 10000 cm
- Volume = 0.0314 × 10000 = 314.16 cm³
- Weight = 314.16 × 8.96 = 2,814.8 grams (Approx 2.81 kg)