Rebar Weight Calculator

The Backbone of Concrete: Understanding Rebar Weight

Reinforcing steel bar, or rebar, is the hidden hero of modern construction. It provides the tensile strength that concrete lacks, allowing us to build everything from small foundations to massive skyscrapers and bridges. Accurately estimating the total weight of rebar required for a project is a critical task. It directly impacts material purchasing, transportation costs, structural engineering calculations, and on-site logistics for lifting and placement. This calculator simplifies that process, providing quick and reliable weight estimates.

How is Rebar Weight Calculated?

The weight of a steel bar is determined by its volume and the density of steel (approximately 7850 kg/m³). However, for practical purposes, the construction industry uses a standardized formula to calculate the weight per unit length:

Weight per Meter (kg/m) = (Diameter² in mm) / 162.2

This formula, sometimes called the "D squared over 162" rule, is a widely accepted shortcut. This calculator uses pre-calculated standard weights based on this principle for common metric rebar sizes. The total weight is then simply:

Total Weight = Weight per Meter × Length per Bar × Number of Bars