Enter wire details
Example data table
| Example | Length | Sizing input | Density | Calculated mass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 25 m | Diameter = 2.0 mm (solid) | 8960 kg/m³ | 0.703717 kg (≈ 703.72 g) |
| 2 | 100 ft | AWG = 12 (solid) | 8.96 g/cm³ | ≈ 0.925 kg (depends on AWG) |
| 3 | 10 m | 7 strands × 0.75 mm | 8960 kg/m³ | ≈ 0.277 kg |
Values are rounded. Manufacturing tolerances and insulation are not included.
Formula used
- Length conversion: convert input length to meters.
- Area (solid): A = π(d/2)² from diameter, or use entered area.
- Area (AWG): d(in) = 0.005 · 92^((36−AWG)/39), then A.
- Area (stranded): A = n · π(ds/2)².
- Volume: V = A · L.
- Mass: m = ρ · V.
This calculator estimates copper conductor mass only. Insulation, plating, and air gaps between strands are ignored unless your strand data already reflects copper-only size.
How to use
- Enter the wire length and select its unit.
- Select Solid or Stranded conductor type.
- For solid wire, choose a sizing method: diameter, AWG, or area.
- For stranded wire, enter strand count and strand diameter.
- Confirm density (default matches typical copper).
- Optionally add a price per kg to estimate cost.
- Click Calculate. Use CSV/PDF buttons to export.
Copper wire mass guide
Copper density and why it matters
Copper is heavy compared with many metals. A common reference density is 8.96 g/cm³ (or 8960 kg/m³). Density links the wire’s physical size to weight, so small changes in conductor size can noticeably change mass and shipping cost.
Mass from volume: the core relationship
The calculator uses a simple chain: area times length gives volume, and volume times density gives mass. If you double the length, the mass doubles. If you increase diameter by 10%, area rises about 21%, and mass rises similarly.
Sizing options: diameter, area, and AWG
Datasheets may list conductor diameter, cross‑sectional area (mm²), or an AWG size. Diameter is easiest for round solid wire. Area is best when cable specs already report mm². AWG is convenient for North American wire sizes and converts to diameter automatically.
Stranded conductors and copper fill factor
Stranded wire is modeled as n identical round strands. The calculator multiplies one‑strand area by the strand count. This estimates copper-only area. Real stranded bundles also include small gaps between strands, so the overall outside diameter may be larger than the copper diameter.
Unit conversions you can trust
Length can be entered in meters, centimeters, millimeters, feet, or inches. Diameter and strand diameter support metric and inches. Area supports mm², cm², m², and in². Density accepts kg/m³ or g/cm³, then everything is converted internally for consistent results.
Typical weights per length examples
As a quick check, a solid copper wire with 2.0 mm diameter has an area near 3.142 mm². At 8960 kg/m³, 25 m weighs about 0.704 kg. Heavier gauges or longer reels scale up fast, so weight planning matters.
Cost estimating for purchasing decisions
If you enter a price per kilogram, the tool multiplies it by computed mass to estimate material cost. This is helpful for comparing suppliers, budgeting a harness build, or checking whether ordering extra length significantly affects total spend.
Common sources of error and best practices
Use copper-only dimensions when possible. Insulated cable outer diameter will overestimate copper mass. For stranded wire, prefer strand count and strand diameter from the manufacturer. Keep in mind tolerances, plating, and temperature effects; for most shop estimates, they are small compared to size uncertainty.
FAQs
Does this include insulation or jacket weight?
No. It estimates copper conductor mass only. If you need full cable weight, use manufacturer datasheets or add a separate insulation mass estimate based on jacket material density and geometry.
What density should I use for copper?
Typical copper density is 8960 kg/m³ (8.96 g/cm³). If your copper is alloyed or plated, the effective density can vary slightly, but the default value is a solid practical reference.
How accurate is AWG conversion?
AWG conversion follows the standard diameter relationship. Accuracy is good for nominal sizes, but real wire may vary by tolerance or by insulation build. Use datasheet values if you need tight mass estimates.
Can I estimate mass for stranded wire correctly?
Yes, if you know strand count and strand diameter for the copper strands. The calculator sums strand areas to estimate copper-only cross‑section. Gaps between strands affect outside diameter, not the copper mass.
Why does diameter affect mass so strongly?
Mass scales with area, and circular area scales with diameter squared. A small diameter increase creates a bigger area increase, which increases volume and mass quickly, especially for long cable runs.
Can I use this for short pieces like jumpers?
Yes. Enter small lengths in centimeters or inches. For very short pieces, rounding dominates, so keep more decimal places for diameter or area to avoid noticeable percentage error.
What if my cable spec lists mm² already?
Select the cross‑sectional area method and enter the mm² value. This avoids conversion assumptions and is usually the fastest path when you’re working from cable catalogs and industrial datasheets.