Input parameters
Welding time results
Total project welding time:
Approximate welding shifts required:
Average joints per shift (per crew):
| Item | Value |
|---|
Example pipe welding time estimates
The table below shows sample welding times for typical pipe sizes using assumed travel speeds, extra allowances, one welder, and average efficiency.
| Pipe OD | Unit system | Process | Root / fill / cap passes | Travel speeds | Joints | Approx. total time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 168.3 mm | Metric | SMAW | 1 / 2 / 1 | 220 / 260 / 220 mm/min | 6 | About 18 welding hours including allowances |
| 6 in | Imperial | GTAW root, GMAW fill | 1 / 2 / 1 | 3 / 9 / 8 in/min | 10 | About 32 welding hours including allowances |
| 24 in | Imperial | FCAW | 1 / 3 / 1 | 8 / 12 / 10 in/min | 4 | About 28 welding hours including allowances |
Formula used
This calculator estimates welding time using simple travel-speed based relationships with location, grinding, inspection, and rework adjustments. The core steps are:
- Circumference for full girth weld:
L = π × D(whereDis pipe outside diameter). - Custom weld length: user-entered value replaces the circumferential length.
- Pass time for each weld pass group:
troot = Nroot × (L / vroot)
tfill = Nfill × (L / vfill)
tcap = Ncap × (L / vcap)
wherevis travel speed andLis weld length. - Base arc time per joint:
tbase = troot + tfill + tcap. - Position and location adjusted arc time:
tarc* = tbase × Fposition × Flocation. - Rework adjusted arc time:
tarc = tarc* × (1 + R/100), whereRis rework allowance (%). - Effective welding time per joint:
teff = tarc / η, whereηis efficiency (0–1). - Grinding and inspection time:
tgrind = tper-pass × (Nroot + Nfill + Ncap)
tinspect = tNDE per joint. - Total time per joint:
tjoint = teff + tfit-up + tgrind + tinspect. - Total project time:
ttotal = tjoint × Njoints.
All intermediate values are calculated in minutes and then converted to hours, shifts, and crew-hours for easier planning.
How to use this calculator
- Select the unit system used on your drawings or in your shop.
- Choose whether the weld is a full circumferential girth weld or a custom weld length.
- Enter pipe outside diameter and, if needed, custom weld length per joint.
- Specify the number of root, fill, and cap passes and adjust travel speeds for your procedure.
- Set the welding position factor, location factor, work efficiency, and rework allowance to reflect project conditions.
- Enter fit-up, grinding, and inspection minutes per joint, crew size, productive hours, and number of identical joints.
- Click Calculate welding time to see detailed joint times, project totals, shifts, and joints per shift.
- Use the CSV or PDF buttons to download results for reports, estimates, or documentation.
Pipe welding time and project planning
Pipe welding time strongly influences critical path activities on many projects. Use this calculator to translate procedure parameters into approximate hours so planners can schedule joints, crews, and shifts more realistically across fabrication or installation phases.
Balancing passes, heat input, and distortion
Changing the number of root, fill, and cap passes alters total time and heat input. More passes increase arc time but may control distortion or meet toughness requirements on critical piping systems and structural connections.
Travel speed selection for welding processes
Typical travel speeds vary by process. GTAW is slower but precise, while GMAW, FCAW, and SAW can be significantly faster. This calculator lets you experiment with speeds to see how process selection impacts total welding hours for a given joint design.
Field versus shop welding productivity
Shop welding usually benefits from better access, fixtures, and controlled conditions. Field welding faces weather, access, and congestion issues. The location factor in this calculator lets you reflect these differences when comparing shop spools with on-site tie-ins.
Coordinating welding with roof and support work
When pipework runs over roofs, coordinate welding durations with roof work, waterproofing, and paver installation. Time estimates here pair well with roof load checks from the concrete roof paver load calculator when detailing supports and maintenance walkways.
Pipe welding time calculator FAQs
1. What does this pipe welding time calculator estimate?
Yes. The calculator estimates arc time, added allowances, and overall welding hours for repeated pipe joints. It is best used for preliminary planning, estimating, and comparing procedures rather than certifying detailed construction schedules.
2. How accurate are travel-speed based welding time results?
Accuracy depends on how realistic your inputs are. Travel speeds, efficiency, grinding, and rework percentages should match real site data. Calibration against completed projects will improve confidence in predicted joint times.
3. Which unit systems can I use in this tool?
You can work in metric or imperial units. The calculator adjusts pipe diameter, weld length, and travel speed labels automatically. Just keep all entered values consistent within the selected unit system.
4. How does the rework allowance percentage affect results?
Rework allowance multiplies the arc time before efficiency corrections. A higher percentage simulates extra time for repairs, defects, or added passes. Use historical quality data to choose realistic values for your project.
5. Can I use this calculator for stainless or alloy piping?
Yes. You can use it for stainless and alloy piping if you enter representative travel speeds and passes. For handling checks, pair it with our stainless steel weight calculator before planning heavy lifts or temporary supports.
6. What is the difference between efficiency and fit-up time?
Efficiency reduces pure arc time to account for unavoidable delays like repositioning, grinding, and breaks. Fit-up time is an additional allowance per joint and covers alignment, tack welding, and general preparation activities.
7. Can I export results for tenders or inspection reports?
Yes. After calculating, export results to CSV or PDF. You can attach these summaries to method statements, tender submissions, or inspection reports as supporting documentation for estimated welding durations and crew requirements.