Metal Density Table (kg/m³): Steel, Aluminum, Copper and More

Density is the figure that decides how much a metal piece will weigh before you make or buy it. Two bars of the same size can weigh very differently just because of the material: an aluminum one and a copper one of the same volume differ by more than three times. Here's a reference table with the most common metals, in the two units most used.

Short answer

Density is how much a material weighs per unit of volume. Among construction and manufacturing metals it ranges from aluminum (~2,700 kg/m³, the lightest on the list) to copper (~8,960 kg/m³, the heaviest). Steel, the industry's reference, sits at 7,850 kg/m³. Knowing these values lets you estimate loads, shipping costs and machining times before you ever hold the piece.

Density Table for Common Metals

Ordered from lightest to heaviest. The values are typical engineering figures; specific alloys can vary slightly with their composition.

Density of common metals in construction and manufacturing
Material	kg/m³	lb/ft³	Relative to steel
Aluminum	2,700	168.6	0.34×
Titanium	4,500	280.9	0.57×
Steel	7,850	490.1	1.00× (ref.)
Stainless steel	8,000	499.4	1.02×
Brass	8,500	530.6	1.08×
Bronze	8,800	549.4	1.12×
Copper	8,960	559.4	1.14×

Two quick reads: aluminum weighs just a third of steel, which is why it dominates where weight is critical (aviation, transport). And titanium is the gem of the list — lighter than steel but with comparable strength — which explains its price and its use in demanding applications. Compare them at a glance in the widget.

Density at a glance

Each metal's density, to scale. The length of each bar is proportional to how much that material weighs per unit of volume. Tap one to see its comparison with steel.

Reference values in kg/m³. Specific alloys may differ slightly. Tap each bar for the details.

Why Weight Matters

Density isn't a trivia fact: it feeds directly into design, budget and production decisions.

Structures: the materials' own weight is part of the load a structure must carry. Choosing a lighter metal can shrink beams, columns and foundations — and with them, the total cost.
Shipping and logistics: metal freight is usually charged by weight. The same piece in aluminum or copper can cost similarly in material but very differently in transport, and on large orders the difference is enormous.
Machining and handling: heavier pieces are harder to move, clamp and machine; they need sturdier equipment and more time. Weight affects shop ergonomics and tool wear.

In short: before quoting or designing, knowing how much each option will weigh lets you compare materials fairly — not just by their price per kilo, but by what they mean for load, shipping and manufacturing.

The Takeaway

This table is a starting point for any metal weight calculation: multiply your piece's volume by the material's density and you have the weight. With that you can anticipate structural loads, shipping costs and machining effort before committing to a material.

To go from density to the real weight of a specific piece — plate, bar or tube — without doing the math by hand, a metal weight calculator combines the shape, the measurements and the density in a single step.

Educational reference of metal densities. Values are nominal averages; confirm the exact alloy for critical work.