What is the density of concrete?

Standard reinforced concrete has a density of approximately 2,400 kg/m³ (2.4 tonnes per cubic metre). Lightweight concrete ranges from 1,200-2,000 kg/m³ depending on the aggregate. Aerated concrete blocks are around 600 kg/m³. These densities include the weight of steel reinforcement for reinforced concrete.

How heavy is a cubic metre of brickwork?

A cubic metre of brickwork (bricks and mortar) weighs approximately 1,900 kg (1.9 tonnes). This assumes standard UK clay bricks at around 2.1 kg each with mortar joints. Engineering bricks are heavier at approximately 2,100 kg/m³. Facing bricks vary between 1,800-2,200 kg/m³ depending on the type.

What does steel weigh per cubic metre?

Mild steel has a density of 7,850 kg/m³ (7.85 tonnes per cubic metre). Stainless steel is slightly higher at around 8,000 kg/m³. For structural steel sections, the weight per metre is listed in steel tables — for example, a 254×146 UB weighs 31-43 kg/m depending on the grade.

How do I calculate the weight of timber?

Softwood timber (pine, spruce) has a density of approximately 500 kg/m³ when air-dried to 12% moisture content. Green (unseasoned) timber can be 800+ kg/m³. Hardwoods vary: oak is around 700 kg/m³, while lighter hardwoods like poplar are 400-500 kg/m³. Weight = Length × Width × Thickness × Density.

Why is material weight important for construction?

Material weight is critical for: structural design (floor and beam loading), lifting operations (crane and hoist capacities), transport planning (vehicle payload limits — typically 1-26 tonnes depending on vehicle), scaffold loading, temporary works design, and foundation sizing. Always add a safety margin for wet conditions and uncertainty.

TradeCalculator

Material Weight Calculator

Calculate the weight of construction materials from volume and density. Lookup table includes concrete, brick, timber, steel, aggregates and more.

Material

Select material for density lookup

Shape

Rectangular or cylindrical

Length

Width

Height / Thickness

How We Calculate This

This calculator multiplies the volume of material by its density to give the total weight. It includes a built-in lookup table of UK construction material densities, or you can enter a custom density.

The formula

Weight (kg) = Volume (m³) × Density (kg/m³)
Weight (tonnes) = Weight (kg) ÷ 1,000
Volume (rectangular) = Length × Width × Height
Volume (cylinder) = π × r² × Length

For example, a concrete slab 3m × 2m × 0.15m: volume = 0.9 m³, weight = 0.9 × 2,400 = 2,160 kg (2.16 tonnes).

Common densities

Concrete: 2,400 kg/m³ | Steel: 7,850 kg/m³
Brickwork: 1,900 kg/m³ | Softwood: 500 kg/m³
Sand: 1,600 kg/m³ | Gravel: 1,750 kg/m³
Plasterboard: 700 kg/m³ | Glass: 2,500 kg/m³

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: March 2026

All calculations are estimates. Verify with your supplier.