This steel wire rope weight calculator gives you the weight of a rope in kilograms and pounds from three inputs: the rope construction, the diameter and the length. It covers 19 constructions, including 6x19, 6x36, 8x19, 7x7, 7x19 and non-rotating 19x7, and it accepts diameters in mm or inch, including fractions such as 3/8.
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Quick answer:
steel wire rope weight per metre = mass factor × diameter² ÷ 100, with the diameter in mm. A 10 mm 6x19 steel-core rope weighs about 0.40 kg/m, so 100 m weighs about 40 kg.
- Inputs: rope construction, diameter (mm or inch) and length (m or ft).
- Results: total weight in kg and lb, plus weight per metre and per foot.
- Data: nominal mass factors from published EN 12385-4 catalogue tables.
- Privacy: everything is calculated in your browser, with no sign-up.
In this article, 6x19 means the 6x19S, 6x19W, 6x25F and 6x26WS class (mass factor 0.359 with a fibre core and 0.400 with a steel core) unless stated otherwise.
How to use the steel wire rope weight calculator
- Select your rope construction, for example 6x19S/W/25F/26WS + IWRC. If yours is not listed, choose Custom and enter your own factor.
- Type the rope diameter and pick mm or inch. Fractions such as 3/8 or 1 1/2 work for inch sizes.
- Type the rope length and pick metres or feet.
- Read the total weight in kg and lb. The weight per metre and per foot appear below it, along with the formula that was used.
How to calculate steel wire rope weight
Rope weight depends mostly on diameter and construction. The calculator multiplies a mass factor for your construction by the diameter squared, then divides by 100 to get kg per metre. It multiplies that by your length, and converts to pounds using 1 kg = 2.2046226218 lb and 1 ft = 0.3048 m.
The factors are nominal rope-length mass factors from published EN 12385-4 catalogue tables. The 6x24 factor comes from an ISO 2408 table and the 1x19 factor from a DIN 3053 table. Each factor was checked against 63 published weight-per-100-m values across the 19 constructions.
Worked example (metric): a 12 mm 6x36 steel-core (IWRC) rope, 250 m long.
- Weight per metre = 0.409 × 12² ÷ 100 = 0.589 kg/m
- Total weight = 0.589 × 250 = 147.2 kg (about 324.6 lb)
Worked example (inch): a 1/2 inch 6x19 steel-core rope, 1,000 ft long. That is 12.7 mm and 304.8 m, so 0.400 × 12.7² ÷ 100 = 0.645 kg/m, and the total is about 196.6 kg.
If you work in inches and pounds, the same maths becomes: weight in lb/ft = mass factor × 4.335 × diameter² (diameter in inches). For a 3/8 inch 6x19 steel-core rope that is 0.400 × 4.335 × 0.375² = 0.244 lb/ft.
Steel wire rope weight chart (kg per metre)
This wire rope weight chart shows the weight per metre of three common constructions, from 6 mm to 32 mm.
| Diameter (mm) | 6x19 fibre core (kg/m) | 6x19 steel core (kg/m) | 6x36 steel core (kg/m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 0.129 | 0.144 | 0.147 |
| 8 | 0.230 | 0.256 | 0.262 |
| 10 | 0.359 | 0.400 | 0.409 |
| 12 | 0.517 | 0.576 | 0.589 |
| 14 | 0.704 | 0.784 | 0.802 |
| 16 | 0.919 | 1.024 | 1.047 |
| 18 | 1.163 | 1.296 | 1.325 |
| 20 | 1.436 | 1.600 | 1.636 |
| 22 | 1.738 | 1.936 | 1.980 |
| 24 | 2.068 | 2.304 | 2.356 |
| 26 | 2.427 | 2.704 | 2.765 |
| 28 | 2.815 | 3.136 | 3.207 |
| 32 | 3.676 | 4.096 | 4.188 |
Estimates based on nominal mass factors. Actual rope weight varies by manufacturer, so use these figures for planning only.
Steel wire rope weight in inch sizes
Inch sizes are converted at 25.4 mm per inch. The values below are for a 6x19 steel-core rope.
| Diameter (inch) | Diameter (mm) | Weight (kg/m) | Weight (lb/ft) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/4 | 6.35 | 0.161 | 0.108 |
| 5/16 | 7.94 | 0.252 | 0.169 |
| 3/8 | 9.53 | 0.363 | 0.244 |
| 1/2 | 12.70 | 0.645 | 0.434 |
| 5/8 | 15.88 | 1.008 | 0.677 |
| 3/4 | 19.05 | 1.452 | 0.975 |
| 7/8 | 22.23 | 1.976 | 1.328 |
| 1 | 25.40 | 2.581 | 1.734 |
Estimates based on nominal mass factors and exact unit conversion. Actual rope weight varies by manufacturer, so use these figures for planning only.
Mass factor by rope construction
Pick the row that matches the name on your rope's datasheet. FC is fibre core, IWRC is steel core and WSC is wire strand core. The last column shows what 100 m of a 10 mm rope weighs, which is the factor multiplied by 100.
| Construction | Mass factor | 10 mm rope, kg per 100 m |
|---|---|---|
| 6x19S/W/25F/26WS + FC | 0.359 | 35.9 |
| 6x19S/W/25F/26WS + IWRC | 0.400 | 40.0 |
| 6x19 + FC | 0.346 | 34.6 |
| 6x36 + FC (6x31/36/41WS) | 0.367 | 36.7 |
| 6x36 + IWRC (6x31/36/41/49WS) | 0.409 | 40.9 |
| 6x37 + FC | 0.346 | 34.6 |
| 6x24 + 7FC | 0.295 | 29.5 |
| 6x12 + 7FC | 0.224 | 22.4 |
| 6x7 + FC | 0.345 | 34.5 |
| 8x19S/W/25F/26WS + FC | 0.340 | 34.0 |
| 8x19S/W/25F/26WS + IWRC | 0.407 | 40.7 |
| 8x36 + FC (8x31/36/41WS) | 0.348 | 34.8 |
| 8x36 + IWRC (8x31/36/41WS) | 0.417 | 41.7 |
| 7x7 (6x7 WSC) | 0.384 | 38.4 |
| 7x19 (WSC) | 0.381 | 38.1 |
| 18x7 + FC | 0.382 | 38.2 |
| 19x7 | 0.401 | 40.1 |
| 35x7 | 0.454 | 45.4 |
| 1x19 strand | 0.495 | 49.5 |
Nominal factors from published catalogue tables, used as estimates. Actual rope weight varies by manufacturer.
How to read a rope name like 6x19
In names such as 6x19, the first number is the number of strands and the second is the approximate number of wires in each strand. An 18x7 rope has 18 strands of 7 wires, and 1x19 is a single strand of 19 wires.
The catalogue tables list plain 6x19 + FC (factor 0.346) separately from the 6x19S, 6x19W, 6x25F and 6x26WS ropes (factors 0.359 for fibre core and 0.400 for steel core). Likewise, 6x36 covers 6x31WS, 6x36WS and 6x41WS, with 6x49WS also listed for the steel-core version, and 8x36 covers 8x31WS, 8x36WS and 8x41WS. Match the name on your datasheet to the row in the table.
Steel core vs fibre core: which is heavier?
At the same diameter, a steel core (IWRC, independent wire rope core) makes the rope heavier than a fibre core (FC). The mass factor is about 11% higher in 6x19 and 6x36 ropes (0.400 vs 0.359, and 0.409 vs 0.367), and about 20% higher in 8x19 and 8x36 ropes (0.407 vs 0.340, and 0.417 vs 0.348). If the core type is not marked on your rope, check the datasheet before choosing a row.
Why published steel wire rope weights can differ
The figure you get here is a nominal weight, meaning a standard catalogue value. EN 12385-4, the European standard for stranded ropes for general lifting applications, lists approximate nominal masses per 100 m, and different makers can publish slightly different weights for the same size. For buying or load planning, use the weight on your rope's datasheet or certificate. The international standard ISO 2408:2017 sets requirements for the manufacture, testing, acceptance, packing, marking and quality certificate of steel wire ropes.
Steel wire rope weight calculator FAQs
How do I calculate steel wire rope weight?
Multiply the rope's mass factor by the diameter in millimetres squared, then divide by 100. That gives the weight in kilograms per metre. Multiply by the length in metres for the total. For a 12 mm 6x36 steel-core rope, 0.409 × 12² ÷ 100 = 0.589 kg/m, so 250 m weighs about 147.2 kg.
How much does steel wire rope weigh per metre?
It depends on diameter and construction. A 10 mm 6x19 fibre-core rope weighs about 0.359 kg/m, a 6x19 steel-core (IWRC) rope about 0.400 kg/m, and a 6x36 steel-core rope about 0.409 kg/m. That is 35.9 kg, 40.0 kg and 40.9 kg per 100 m.
What does 6x19 wire rope weigh?
A 6x19 steel-core (IWRC) rope weighs about 0.144 kg/m at 6 mm, 0.400 kg/m at 10 mm and 1.600 kg/m at 20 mm. The fibre-core version weighs about 0.129, 0.359 and 1.436 kg/m at the same diameters.
Is steel-core wire rope heavier than fibre-core rope?
Yes. At the same diameter, the mass factor of 6x19 steel-core rope (0.400) is about 11% higher than fibre-core (0.359). The gap is wider in 8-strand ropes, where 8x19 steel-core (0.407) is about 20% above fibre-core (0.340).
Does the rope grade (1770 or 1960) change the weight?
Not in the EN 12385-4 catalogue tables this calculator is based on. Those tables list one weight for a given size and construction, and it covers both the 1770 and 1960 N/mm² grades. Grade changes breaking force, not the listed nominal weight.
Why does my supplier list a different weight?
The calculator gives a nominal figure, and published tables can differ slightly for the same size. For example, one EN 12385-4 catalogue lists 8 mm 6x36 fibre-core rope at 23.5 kg per 100 m, while another manufacturer lists 24.3 kg. For purchasing or load planning, use the weight on your rope's datasheet or certificate.
How do I convert kg/m to lb/ft?
Multiply kilograms per metre by 0.672 to get pounds per foot (1 kg = 2.2046 lb and 1 ft = 0.3048 m). For example, 0.400 kg/m is about 0.269 lb/ft.
What happens to the weight if I double the diameter?
It becomes about four times heavier, because weight grows with the square of the diameter. A 10 mm 6x19 fibre-core rope weighs 0.359 kg/m; a 20 mm rope of the same construction weighs 1.436 kg/m.
What if my rope construction is not in the list?
Choose Custom (your own factor). Divide the rope's weight per 100 m from its datasheet by the diameter squared in millimetres. A 10 mm rope listed at 35.9 kg per 100 m gives a factor of 0.359. The calculator accepts factors from 0.1 to 1.
Does rope weight tell me how much the rope can lift?
No. Weight and strength are separate properties. This calculator gives the mass of the rope itself. For lifting, use the minimum breaking force and working load limit from the manufacturer's documentation.
Does the calculator store or upload what I enter?
No. The calculator runs in your browser and does not send what you type anywhere. No sign-up is needed.
What sizes and lengths can I enter?
Diameters from 0.5 mm to 300 mm (0.02 to 11.81 inch) and lengths from 0.01 m to 1,000,000 m. Inch sizes can be typed as decimals or fractions such as 3/8 or 1 1/2.
Summary
To find steel wire rope weight, multiply the mass factor of your construction by the diameter in mm squared and divide by 100 for kg per metre, then multiply by the length. A 10 mm 6x19 steel-core rope is about 0.400 kg/m. Doubling the diameter makes the rope about four times heavier. Use the figures for estimating, and rely on your supplier's datasheet for exact weight.
Disclaimer:
This steel wire rope weight calculator gives estimates based on nominal mass factors from published catalogue tables. Real rope weight can differ slightly by manufacturer, so check your rope's datasheet or certificate before buying, shipping or planning a job. The weight of a rope does not show its strength or safe working load, and nothing you type into the calculator is stored or sent anywhere.