🔌 Copper Wire Weight Calculator
Calculate the weight of copper wire from diameter and length
Enter diameter in millimeters (e.g., 2.5 for 2.5 mm wire)
Enter length in meters
How to Use This Calculator
Enter Wire Diameter
Input the diameter of the copper wire in millimeters. Common wire gauges: 1.5 mm, 2.5 mm, 4 mm, 6 mm, 10 mm. You can measure with calipers or use standard AWG/wire gauge specifications.
Enter Wire Length
Input the total length of the wire in meters. If you have the length in feet, multiply by 0.3048 to convert to meters. For long lengths, you may need to measure or estimate based on your project.
Calculate Weight
Click "Calculate Weight" to get the total weight of the copper wire. The result is displayed in both kilograms and grams for convenience. Use this for material estimation, cost calculation, or shipping purposes.
Formula
Weight = π × r² × L × ρ
where:
- Weight = Total weight (kg)
- r = Wire radius (m) = diameter / 2
- L = Wire length (m)
- ρ = Copper density = 8960 kg/m³
Alternative: Weight = (π × d² × L × ρ) / 4
Example 1: Standard Electrical Wire
Given: Diameter = 2.5 mm, Length = 100 m
Radius = 2.5 / 2 = 1.25 mm = 0.00125 m
Calculation: Weight = π × (0.00125)² × 100 × 8960
Weight = π × 0.0000015625 × 100 × 8960
Weight = 3.14159 × 1.4 = 4.40 kg
Example 2: Thick Wire
Given: Diameter = 10 mm, Length = 50 m
Radius = 10 / 2 = 5 mm = 0.005 m
Calculation: Weight = π × (0.005)² × 50 × 8960
Weight = π × 0.000025 × 50 × 8960
Weight = 3.14159 × 11.2 = 35.19 kg
Common Wire Diameters:
- 1.5 mm (typical for lighting circuits)
- 2.5 mm (typical for power outlets)
- 4 mm (typical for appliances)
- 6 mm (typical for higher current applications)
- 10 mm (typical for main supply lines)
About Copper Wire Weight Calculator
The copper wire weight calculator determines the total weight of copper wire based on its diameter and length. This is essential for electrical projects, material estimation, cost calculation, and shipping. Copper is widely used in electrical applications due to its excellent conductivity, and knowing the weight helps with project planning and budgeting.
When to Use This Calculator
- Electrical Projects: Estimate material requirements for wiring installations
- Cost Estimation: Calculate material costs based on weight and copper prices
- Shipping & Logistics: Determine shipping weight for wire orders
- Inventory Management: Track material quantities by weight
- Engineering Design: Calculate wire weight for structural considerations
Why Use Our Calculator?
- ✅ Accurate Calculation: Uses standard copper density (8960 kg/m³)
- ✅ Easy to Use: Simple interface requiring only diameter and length
- ✅ Dual Units: Results in both kilograms and grams
- ✅ Formula Display: Shows calculation method with step-by-step breakdown
- ✅ Free Tool: No cost, no registration required
- ✅ Mobile Friendly: Works on all devices
Common Applications
Electrical Installation: Electricians and electrical engineers use weight calculations to estimate material needs for residential, commercial, and industrial wiring projects. This helps with project planning and cost estimation.
Manufacturing: Manufacturers of electrical equipment and cables need to know wire weights for production planning, quality control, and shipping logistics. Accurate weight calculations ensure proper material handling.
Scrap Metal Recycling: When recycling copper wire, weight calculations help determine the value of scrap material. Copper prices are typically quoted per kilogram, so knowing the weight is essential for pricing.
Construction Projects: Large construction projects require significant amounts of wiring. Weight calculations help project managers estimate material costs, plan deliveries, and manage inventory.
Tips for Best Results
- Use consistent units: diameter in mm, length in meters
- For stranded wire, use the overall diameter including insulation if calculating total weight
- For bare copper wire, use the actual copper diameter
- If you have wire gauge (AWG), convert to diameter first using standard AWG tables
- Remember that this calculates pure copper weight; if wire has insulation, add that separately
- For very long lengths, consider checking your calculation with a smaller sample first
Frequently Asked Questions
What density does this calculator use?
This calculator uses the standard density of pure copper: 8960 kg/m³ (8.96 g/cm³). This is the density of solid copper at room temperature. Note that copper wire may have slight variations due to alloying elements or manufacturing processes.
Does this include wire insulation?
No, this calculator calculates only the weight of the copper conductor itself. If your wire has insulation (PVC, rubber, etc.), that weight is not included. For total wire weight including insulation, you'd need to add the insulation weight separately or use different density values.
Can I use this for stranded wire?
Yes, but use the overall diameter of the stranded wire bundle, not the individual strand diameter. The formula works the same way - it calculates the total volume and multiplies by density. For more accurate results with stranded wire, you might need to account for the small air gaps between strands.
How do I convert wire gauge (AWG) to diameter?
AWG (American Wire Gauge) can be converted to diameter using the formula: d = 0.127 × 92^((36-AWG)/39) mm. Common conversions: AWG 10 = 2.588 mm, AWG 12 = 2.053 mm, AWG 14 = 1.628 mm, AWG 16 = 1.291 mm. Many online AWG conversion tools are available.
What if my wire is not pure copper?
This calculator assumes pure copper. If your wire is a copper alloy (like brass, bronze, or tinned copper), the density will be slightly different. For most electrical applications, the difference is small and can be ignored. For precision work, use the specific alloy density.
How accurate is this calculator?
The calculation is mathematically accurate based on the formula. However, actual wire weight may vary slightly due to manufacturing tolerances, alloy composition, and temperature. For most practical purposes, the calculated weight is accurate within 1-2% of actual weight.