Density of Metals Chart
Reference chart of metal and alloy densities in lb/in³, g/cm³ (specific gravity), and lb/ft³ for 70+ engineering materials. Filter by material category, search by alloy designation, and sort by any column. All values sourced from Machinery’s Handbook 29th Edition.
Source: Machinery’s Handbook 29th Ed. — Table 13: Typical Thermal Properties of Metals, pp. 376–377; Table 15: Average Specific Gravity of Various Substances, p. 380. Tool steel densities: ASM Handbook Vol 4, “Introduction to Heat Treating of Tool Steels,” Table 5.
Carbon and alloy steels (1018, 4140, 4340, etc.) share a single density because their alloying content is low enough (<5%) that density stays within ~0.5% of pure iron. Tool steels vary significantly — from 0.278 to 0.295 lb/in³ (7.70–8.16 g/cm³) — due to heavy Cr, W, and Mo content.
How to Use This Density Chart
Use the category dropdown to filter by material family (aluminum, steel, copper, etc.) or type an alloy designation in the search box to find a specific grade. Click any column header to sort ascending or descending. Click a row to highlight it for easy reference.
To calculate the weight of a part from its density, multiply the volume in cubic inches by the density in lb/in³. For common shapes like plate, round bar, tube, and angle, our metal weight calculator does this automatically. If you need pipe weights per standard schedule, see the pipe schedule chart.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert density from g/cm³ to lb/in³?
Multiply the g/cm³ value by 0.03613 to get lb/in³. For example, carbon steel has a specific gravity of 7.9 g/cm³: 7.9 × 0.03613 = 0.2854 lb/in³. To convert lb/in³ to g/cm³, divide by 0.03613 (or multiply by 27.68). These conversion factors come from the relationship 1 lb = 453.592 g and 1 in³ = 16.387 cm³.
What is the density of aluminum in lb/in³?
Aluminum alloy densities range from 0.096 to 0.102 lb/in³ (2.66–2.82 g/cm³) depending on the alloy. The most commonly machined grade, 6061, has a density of 0.098 lb/in³ (2.713 g/cm³). Aerospace alloy 7075 is 0.101 lb/in³ (2.796 g/cm³), and 2024 is 0.100 lb/in³ (2.768 g/cm³). All values from Machinery’s Handbook Table 13, p. 376.
What is the density of steel in lb/in³?
Carbon and alloy steels (1018, 4140, 4340, etc.) have a density of 0.284 lb/in³ (7.87 g/cm³). Alloying content is low enough that density stays within ~0.5% of pure iron. Stainless steels differ: austenitic grades (304, 316) are 0.290 lb/in³ (8.03 g/cm³) and ferritic/martensitic grades (410, 430) are 0.280 lb/in³ (7.75 g/cm³). Tool steels vary more widely — D2 is 0.278 lb/in³, O1 is 0.283, A2 is 0.284, and M2 HSS is 0.295 lb/in³ due to heavy tungsten and molybdenum content.
Why do different sources list different densities for the same metal?
Metal density varies with alloy composition, heat treatment condition, and manufacturing process (cast vs. wrought). For example, cast aluminum at 0.094 lb/in³ (2.6 g/cm³) is less dense than wrought 6061 aluminum at 0.098 lb/in³ (2.7 g/cm³) because castings contain microporosity. Similarly, grey cast iron at 0.250 lb/in³ (6.92 g/cm³) differs from malleable iron at 0.265 lb/in³ (7.34 g/cm³) due to different graphite structures. Always use the density for the specific alloy designation rather than a generic “steel” or “aluminum” value when precision matters.
How do I calculate the weight of a metal part from its density?
Weight = Volume × Density. Calculate the part volume in cubic inches (or cm³), then multiply by the material density. For a rectangular plate: Volume = Length × Width × Thickness. For a cylinder: Volume = π/4 × Diameter² × Length. For a tube: Volume = π/4 × (OD² − ID²) × Length. Use our metal weight calculator for common shapes including plate, round bar, tube, angle, and I-beam.
What are the densest metals commonly machined?
Among structural metals commonly machined, copper at 0.321 lb/in³ (8.89 g/cm³) and nickel alloys (0.296–0.321 lb/in³) are the densest. Steel (0.28–0.29 lb/in³) is roughly 2.9× denser than aluminum (0.098–0.102 lb/in³) and about 1.7× denser than titanium at 0.163 lb/in³ (4.51 g/cm³).
Related Calculators
- Metal Weight Calculator — Calculate weight for plate, bar, tube, pipe, angle, and I-beam by material and dimensions
- Pipe Schedule Chart — Wall thickness, ID, OD, and weight per foot for NPS pipe
References
- Oberg, E. et al. Machinery’s Handbook, 29th Ed., Industrial Press, 2012 — Table 13: Typical Thermal Properties of Various Metals, pp. 376–377.
- Oberg, E. et al. Machinery’s Handbook, 29th Ed., Industrial Press, 2012 — Table 15: Average Specific Gravity of Various Substances, p. 380.
- ASM International. ASM Handbook, Vol. 4: Heat Treating, 1991 — “Introduction to Heat Treating of Tool Steels,” Table 5: Density and Thermal Expansion of Selected Tool Steels.
Data last verified: March 2026
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