Hollow Section Weight Chart: SHS, RHS and CHS Sizes and kg/m

A hollow section weight chart gives the theoretical mass per metre for a defined profile, outside size and nominal wall thickness. SHS uses equal outside dimensions, RHS uses outside width and height, and CHS uses outside diameter. In every case, a change in wall thickness changes the kg/m value even when the external size stays the same.

The charts reproduce published manufacturer reference masses; the 6 m and 12 m columns are calculated from those kg/m figures. They do not prove another manufacturer’s availability or establish a contractual weighing basis. Match each value to the required product standard and approved data sheet. This lets buyers estimate piece weight, order tonnage, freight and lifting needs without confusing reference mass with delivered mass.

Read SHS, RHS and CHS Dimensions before Using the Chart

Decode the designation before selecting kg/m. For SHS, 100 × 100 × 5 mm means two 100 mm outside faces and a nominal 5 mm wall. For RHS, 150 × 100 × 5 mm means 150 mm outside height, 100 mm outside width and a nominal 5 mm wall. Drawings may orient an RHS about a specific axis, so reversing height and width can create an error even though the theoretical area is unchanged.

For CHS, 114.3 × 6.3 mm means 114.3 mm outside diameter and a nominal 6.3 mm wall. Do not substitute internal diameter, DN or NPS without first identifying the corresponding outside diameter. A CHS and a general-purpose circular pipe can share an outside size but follow different product standards, grades, tolerances and inspection requirements.

Before checking availability, confirm the shape, external dimensions, nominal wall and product standard. Current SHS and RHS hollow section ranges can then be reviewed. A listed size is not automatically suitable for a structural application; selection still belongs to the approved design.

SHS Weight Chart by Outside Size and Wall Thickness

These cold-formed SHS reference masses come from a current manufacturer section table. The piece weights are calculated from the published kg/m values.

For 100 × 100 × 5 mm, the published mass is 14.4 kg/m and a 12 m piece is 172.8 kg before dimensional variation or surface treatment.

RHS Weight Chart by Width, Height and Wall Thickness

RHS requires three dimensional inputs. Writing only “150 × 100 RHS” is incomplete because several wall thicknesses may be available at that outside size. The values below come from a current manufacturer section table.

For 500 pieces of 150 × 100 × 5 mm RHS at 12 m, the reference total is 18.3 × 12 × 500 = 109,800 kg, or 109.8 tonnes. It should control invoicing or acceptance only when the contract adopts the same mass basis.

CHS Weight Chart by Outside Diameter and Wall Thickness

The CHS reference masses below come from a published structural hollow-section handbook for longitudinally welded S355J2H sections. Manufacturing tolerances and coating can still make delivered mass differ from the table.

These values are not a universal CHS series or another supplier’s availability statement. Confirm the outside diameter, wall, grade and product standard.

Calculate Hollow Section Weight When a Size Is Not Listed

With dimensions in millimetres and steel density at 7,850 kg/m³, multiplying cross-sectional area by 0.00785 gives kg/m.

SHS Formula

For an ideal square section:

W = 0.00785 × [B² − (B − 2t)²]

B is the outside width in mm, t is nominal wall thickness in mm, and W is kg/m. A simplified calculation for 100 × 100 × 5 mm gives:

W = 0.00785 × [100² − 90²] = 14.91 kg/m

The published table gives 14.4 kg/m because real sections have rounded corners. Treat 14.91 kg/m only as a rough estimate.

RHS Formula

For an ideal rectangular section:

W = 0.00785 × [B × H − (B − 2t) × (H − 2t)]

B and H are the outside dimensions. A simplified calculation for 150 × 100 × 5 mm gives:

W = 0.00785 × [150 × 100 − 140 × 90] = 18.84 kg/m

The published table gives 18.3 kg/m. The ideal formula may fill a preliminary budget gap but must not overwrite traceable table data.

Both formulas treat corners as square. Use an applicable standard table or approved product value when more than an estimate is required because published section data accounts for corner geometry.

CHS Formula

For a circular section:

W = 0.0246615 × (D − t) × t

D is outside diameter in mm. For 114.3 × 6.3 mm, the result is approximately 16.78 kg/m. For more explanation of circular calculations, see how to calculate steel pipe weight by size.

Convert kg/m into Piece Weight and Order Tonnage

Once the correct kg/m value has been selected, use the actual ordered length and quantity:

Piece weight = kg/m × piece length in metres

Order weight = piece weight × quantity

Metric tonnes = total kilograms ÷ 1,000

Suppose an order contains 300 pieces of 150 × 100 × 5 mm RHS, each 6 m long. The published reference is 18.3 kg/m. One reference piece weighs 109.8 kg, and the order total is 32,940 kg, or 32.94 metric tonnes. If the commercial length, piece count or approved kg/m changes, recalculate the total rather than applying a general percentage.

Keep product net weight separate from bundles, supports and container bracing. Coating can add mass, so confirm whether quoted values refer to bare steel or the finished section.

Reconcile Theoretical and Delivered Hollow Section Weight

Three checks prevent most weight disagreements. First, confirm the calculation basis. A simplified SHS or RHS formula, a standard section table and a manufacturer’s declared mass may not use identical corner geometry. Mixing them can create a discrepancy before any steel is measured.

Second, check dimensional tolerances. Nominal wall, outside dimensions and length can vary within the applicable product standard. Those variations affect actual cross-sectional area and piece weight. Before comparing calculated and delivered mass, review how thickness tolerance affects steel procurement and then apply the standard named in the order; a tolerance quoted for one pipe or hollow-section standard should not be transferred to another.

Third, confirm the contractual weighing basis. Theoretical weight uses an agreed kg/m multiplied by length and quantity. Actual weight uses measured mass under an agreed weighing procedure. Neither method should be assumed after production. The purchase documents should identify the controlling table or formula, rounding method, treatment of length, inclusion of coating, scale documentation and permitted reconciliation process.

Use the chart for estimating only after all rows have been tied to the correct shape, size and wall. Use the applicable standard or approved product data for final section properties, and use the contract for payment and acceptance. This separation lets the same kg/m data support budgeting and logistics without turning a theoretical approximation into an unsupported structural or commercial claim.

To verify an order weight, send the section type, outside dimensions, wall thickness, piece length, quantity, surface treatment and intended weighing basis to Baolai Steel. Checking these inputs against one agreed mass basis helps prevent tonnage, freight and invoice discrepancies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can kg/m Be Used to Select the Structural Capacity of a Hollow Section?

No. kg/m describes mass per unit length; it does not establish bending resistance, compression resistance, buckling behaviour, connection capacity or suitability for a load case. Select the member from the approved structural design and applicable section-property data. Use kg/m afterward to estimate piece weight, order tonnage and handling loads.

Which Weight Should Control Payment: Theoretical or Actual Weight?

Use the method stated in the purchase contract. If payment is theoretical, identify the controlling table or formula, dimensions and rounding method. If payment is based on actual weight, define the weighing procedure and supporting records. Resolve that basis before ordering, then use the same method in the quotation, purchase order, packing list and invoice.

What Should Buyers Do If a Required Size Is Missing from the Chart?

First confirm whether the size belongs to the required product standard and is available in the specified grade and manufacturing route. A formula can provide a preliminary theoretical estimate, but it does not prove availability or establish an acceptance value. Request a confirmed kg/m and dimensional data for the proposed product before finalising the budget or order.

Sources

The displayed kg/m values were checked against the following published references. These sources support the reference masses only; project acceptance and availability still require the applicable standard and approved product data.

• SHS reference table
• RHS reference table
• CHS reference handbook