Shop tools
Bar stock weight and cost calculator
Works out the gross weight of each part and what it costs in material, from the bar size, the finished length, and the allowances you actually lose to parting off, facing, and the unusable end of the bar.
The reference below is free to read — no account, no signup. The tool itself is inside MechCircle, which is free to start.
Densities used by the calculator
| Material | Density (g/cm³) |
|---|---|
| Steel | 7.85 |
| Stainless Steel | 8.00 |
| Copper | 8.96 |
| Brass | 8.50 |
| Aluminium | 2.70 |
Weight comes from the cross-section and the finished length, plus the allowances you actually lose to parting off and facing.
How to use it
Pick a shape and material, enter the size and finished length, then set your allowances once — they are remembered on that device. Add a rate per kilogram for the cost per part and for the whole quantity. The rate is remembered per material, so switching between steel and brass keeps each price.
What it does and does not cover
- Solid bar only: round, hex across flats, or square. Tube and hollow section are not covered.
- The end-piece allowance is shared across the parts a 3 metre bar yields, so the weight per part includes its share of the offcut.
- The rates it starts with are rough placeholders you can edit, not market prices.
Ready to get started?
Every tool is included, along with tasks, files and direct communication with your customers, suppliers and consultants.