Structural Steel & Metal
Hollow Section / HSS Weight Calculator
Calculates weight of RHS, SHS, and CHS steel hollow sections
Updated June 26, 2026 · Live
What this tool does
Calculates weight of RHS, SHS, and CHS steel hollow sections.
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How the hollow section weight calculator works
Calculates weight of RHS, SHS, and CHS steel hollow sections. The calculator takes your dimensions and supplier rates, applies a standard Canadian trade formula, and returns a quantity with an indicative cost. Every figure is an estimate — site conditions always move the final number.
Typical Canadian structural steel and metal wastage
Steel is cut to length at the mill, so on-site wastage is near zero. Add 5% for fabrication offcuts and drilling swarf if the specifier has not already done so. Our defaults reflect common Canadian trade allowances, and can be adjusted upwards for non-standard geometry or downwards where experience supports a lower figure.
What this tool does not do
It does not replace a professional quote, factor regional pricing, assess structural adequacy, or confirm National Building Code (NBC) compliance. Those remain the responsibility of a suitably qualified designer, surveyor, or your building inspector.
On-site considerations for hollow section weight
Every structural steel element must be designed by a chartered structural engineer working to CSA S16. Structural installation work normally proceeds from stamped calculations.
the National Building Code (NBC) and compliance
Structural steelwork is covered by the National Building Code. Fire protection (intumescent paint, boarding, or drywall) is required to meet the National Building Code. When in doubt, a pre-application enquiry to the municipality can give early clarity, which tends to be less costly than retrospective correction.
Before you order
Steel is commonly supplied pre-primed with a minimum one-coat zinc-phosphate primer. The fire-protection contractor will then apply intumescent top-coat on site. Cross-checking the calculator’s output against a supplier quote helps catch differences in pricing assumptions — ask for exact product specifications (grade, finish, batch number) and confirm delivery timescales against your programme.
Adjusting the defaults
Every input in this calculator is editable. Enter your own dimensions, supplier prices, and wastage allowance — the output recalculates instantly. If the defaults feel off for your region or project type, your own numbers always override them.
Using this hollow section weight calculator alongside other BuildMetricLab tools
This calculator works best as part of a planning workflow. Pair the quantity with our project contingency, labour-hours, and material-cost calculators to build a complete estimate before you pick up the phone to a supplier. All BuildMetricLab tools run entirely in your browser — no sign-up, no data sent anywhere, and every formula is shown on-page so you can audit the maths.
Sources & methodology
Calculates weight of RHS, SHS, and CHS steel hollow sections. Every result is calculated from the values you enter, and all inputs are editable.
Frequently asked questions
Are hollow section weight calculator results accurate enough to order materials?
Use them as a starting estimate only. Verifying the final quantity with your supplier or contractor before ordering is good practice — site conditions, wastage and cut-offs all affect the true figure.
What wastage percentage should I use?
The calculator defaults to the typical Canadian trade allowance for structural steel & metal. Increase it for complex cuts, awkward shapes, or first-time DIY. The default wastage allowance reflects common trade practice; values lower than the default may underestimate offcuts.
Does this replace professional advice?
No. This tool is a planning estimator. For works that affect structure, the National Building Code (NBC), property-line or shared-wall, gas, electrics, drainage to a sewer, or similar, consult a suitably qualified professional.
Can I change the unit prices?
Yes — every price field is editable. Plug in your supplier's quote to get a total that matches your project.
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