Instant weight results for Rectangular & Square Hollow Sections using the accurate corner radius formula — as per IS 4923:1997 standard used across India.
Select section type, enter dimensions including corner radius, choose material and get instant weight results per piece and per metre.
Follow these simple steps to get accurate hollow section steel weight in seconds
Select SHS for Square Hollow Section (equal sides) or RHS for Rectangular Hollow Section (unequal sides). Toggle switches the input fields automatically.
For SHS, enter one size value (e.g. 75 for 75×75). For RHS, enter Height and Width separately (e.g. 100×50). All in millimetres as per IS 4923 designation.
Enter the wall thickness (t) in mm. IS 4923 standard thicknesses range from 2 mm to 12 mm. Check your BIS certified mill certificate for the exact value.
Enter the inner corner radius (ri). For IS 4923 sections, ri is typically 1.5 × t for standard sections. This is what makes this calculator more accurate than simple hollow box formulas.
Type the length per piece in metres. Standard market lengths in India are 6 m and 12 m. Enter quantity for total project weight calculation.
Results update instantly — weight per piece, total kg, kg/m, and lbs are all shown. Cross-check kg/m against SAIL or Tata Steel product catalogues for verification.
Understanding how corner radius affects cross-section area and weight accuracy
A simple hollow box formula — (H×B) − (H−2t)(B−2t) — overestimates area because it ignores the rounded corners. The actual steel at each corner is a quarter-annulus, not a full square corner. The correction term (4−π)(ro²−ri²) removes this excess material from all four corners.
2t(H+B−2t) is the "unrolled" perimeter × thickness (sharp-corner approximation). The correction (4−π)·t·(2ri+t) subtracts excess area at corners. This is the same approach used in IS 4923:1997 standard section tables.
IS 4923 specifies ri = 1.5 × t for most standard sections. For example, for a 75×75×5 SHS: ri = 1.5 × 5 = 7.5 mm. Some manufacturers use ri = 2.0 × t for heavier sections — always check the mill certificate or product datasheet for the exact value.
Area (mm²) × Density (g/cm³) ÷ 1000 gives kg/m. The ÷1000 factor converts mm²·m into cm³, then g into kg in one step. For IS 4923 carbon steel at 7.85 g/cm³, a quick check formula is: kg/m ≈ A(mm²) × 0.00785.
Popular hollow section sizes — carbon steel, IS 4923:1997, density 7.85 g/cm³, ri = 1.5t
| Section (mm) | Thickness t (mm) | Corner ri (mm) | Area (mm²) | kg/m | lbs/m | 6 m Piece (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SHS 25×25 | 2 | 3.0 | 170 | 1.34 | 2.95 | 8.02 |
| SHS 32×32 | 2.5 | 3.75 | 274 | 2.15 | 4.74 | 12.90 |
| SHS 40×40 | 3 | 4.5 | 413 | 3.24 | 7.14 | 19.46 |
| SHS 50×50 | 3 | 4.5 | 533 | 4.18 | 9.22 | 25.10 |
| SHS 50×50 | 4 | 6.0 | 681 | 5.35 | 11.79 | 32.08 |
| SHS 60×60 | 3 | 4.5 | 653 | 5.13 | 11.31 | 30.75 |
| SHS 60×60 | 4 | 6.0 | 841 | 6.60 | 14.55 | 39.62 |
| SHS 75×75 | 4 | 6.0 | 1081 | 8.49 | 18.72 | 50.92 |
| SHS 75×75 | 5 | 7.5 | 1314 | 10.32 | 22.74 | 61.89 |
| SHS 90×90 | 5 | 7.5 | 1614 | 12.67 | 27.93 | 76.02 |
| SHS 100×100 | 5 | 7.5 | 1814 | 14.24 | 31.39 | 85.44 |
| SHS 100×100 | 6 | 9.0 | 2132 | 16.74 | 36.91 | 100.43 |
| SHS 125×125 | 6 | 9.0 | 2732 | 21.45 | 47.29 | 128.70 |
| SHS 150×150 | 6 | 9.0 | 3332 | 26.16 | 57.68 | 156.96 |
* All values computed using IS 4923:1997 corner radius formula (ri = 1.5t), carbon steel density 7.85 g/cm³. For exact BIS certified values, refer to Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) or steel manufacturer's certified section properties. Use the calculator above for non-standard sections or alternate materials.
Standard density values used in RHS SHS hollow section weight calculations
Density values are standard engineering references. Actual values may vary slightly by alloy grade — always confirm with material test certificates (MTC) for critical structural applications.
Key construction and industrial applications driving demand for hollow sections across India in 2026
RHS/SHS columns and portal frame structures are the backbone of industrial shed construction across India's manufacturing hubs in Pune, Chennai, and Ahmedabad. Accurate weight estimation is essential for foundation design.
India's massive solar energy push under PM-Surya Ghar and National Solar Mission requires millions of tonnes of SHS/RHS sections annually for ground-mount and rooftop panel support structures.
Multi-storey steel frame buildings use RHS columns and SHS bracing members. IS 800:2007 structural design code requires accurate self-weight for dead load calculations and beam-column design.
Metro station canopies, railway platform shelters, and foot-over-bridges across India extensively use hollow structural sections. RITES and IRCON specifications routinely call for IS 4923 certified material.
Steel traders and fabricators use kg/m values to match SAIL, Tata Steel, and JSW product catalogues, raise purchase orders in tonnes, and estimate freight costs from mill to project site.
Civil and structural estimators calculate total steel tonnage from hollow section drawings to prepare BOQ (Bill of Quantities). Steel is typically priced per tonne in India — total weight directly determines material cost.
Best practices used by structural engineers and steel fabricators in India
The designation "75×75×5 SHS" means nominal size. Actual dimensions may vary within IS 4923 tolerances. Use the dimension from the Mill Test Certificate (MTC) for precise weight — especially important for procurement with tight tonnage budgets.
IS 4923 states ri = 1.5t as a standard. However, some Indian mills produce sections with ri = 2.0t for improved weld access at connections. Enter the exact value — a difference of 1t in ri can change the weight by 0.5–1% on larger sections.
IS 4923 permits a ±6% mass tolerance on individual pieces and ±4% on consignments. Add a procurement buffer of 5–7% to your calculated tonnage to avoid material shortfalls on site. See our MS Sheet Weight page for a similar approach on flat products.
Add 3–5% wastage for cut-to-length losses, mitre cuts, and coping at connections. Fabrication shops in India typically charge based on input material weight, not finished weight — so accurate gross weight matters.
Epoxy primer + finish coat adds roughly 0.5–1.5 kg/m² of section surface. For heavily coated structures in coastal India (Mumbai, Chennai, Vizag), include coating weight in the dead load calculation for hanger design.
Compare your results against published catalogues from SAIL (Steel Authority of India), Tata Structura, or JSW Neosteel. If there is a discrepancy, the most likely cause is a different corner radius assumption in the catalogue.
More Indian standard steel section calculators on SheetGauge
Common questions about RHS SHS weight calculation and IS 4923 standard