How to Calculate Welded Mesh Weight
Welded wire mesh is usually priced and shipped by weight, so knowing the weight per square metre helps you budget accurately, compare supplier quotes fairly, and plan freight. The maths is simpler than it looks. Here’s the formula and a worked example you can reuse.
Why weight matters
Two quotes for “the same” mesh can differ because the wire diameter or aperture is slightly different — and that changes the weight, and therefore the price. Calculating weight yourself lets you compare like-for-like and avoid paying more for less steel. It also helps when planning transport for large GCC export orders.
The three numbers you need
- Wire diameter (d) in millimetres
- Aperture in millimetres (the clear opening), which you add to the wire diameter to get the pitch (p) — the centre-to-centre spacing
- The area of your panel or roll in square metres
Steel weighs about 7,850 kg/m³, which gives a handy shortcut: a steel wire weighs roughly 0.00617 × d² kilograms per metre (with d in mm). This is the same well-known bar-weight rule, d²/162.2.
The formula
In one square metre of square-aperture mesh there are roughly 2,000 ÷ p metres of wire (wires running in both directions). Multiply that by the weight per metre of wire and you get:
Weight per m² (kg) ≈ 12.33 × d² ÷ p where d = wire diameter (mm) and p = pitch (mm) = aperture + wire diameter
Worked example
Take a mesh with a 25 mm aperture and 2 mm wire:
- Pitch p = 25 + 2 = 27 mm
- Weight per m² = 12.33 × (2 × 2) ÷ 27 = 12.33 × 4 ÷ 27 ≈ 1.83 kg/m²
- A panel 2.4 m × 1.2 m = 2.88 m² → 2.88 × 1.83 ≈ 5.3 kg
So that panel weighs about 5.3 kg before galvanizing.
Don't forget galvanizing
A galvanized coating adds weight — add roughly 5% for standard galvanizing. PVC coating adds more, depending on thickness. For stainless steel, the density is similar to mild steel, so the formula still works; just confirm the grade.
A few practical tips
- If the aperture differs in each direction, calculate the wire length for each direction separately and add them.
- These are close estimates — always confirm against the actual product specification before ordering.
- Weight is only half the story: open area matters for filtration and airflow. See our companion guide on how to calculate the open area of wire mesh, and our galvanized welded wire mesh specifications.
Need the exact weight and price for your panel size and spec? Send us the details and we’ll confirm. Get a quote.
Use weight/m² ≈ 12.33 × d² ÷ pitch, where d is wire diameter (mm) and pitch is aperture plus wire diameter (mm).
Yes — add about 5% for standard galvanizing; PVC coating adds more.
Densities are similar; the weight difference comes mainly from wire diameter and coating, not the base metal.