Divide a price per ton by 2,000 to get the price per pound, and divide a price per cwt (hundredweight) by 100. So $1,100 per ton and $55 per cwt are both $0.55 per pound. Cost per foot is the price per pound times the weight per foot: a W12x26 at 26 lb/ft costs 26 × $0.55 = $14.30 per foot. A metric tonne is 2,204.6 lb, not 2,000.
The units steel is sold in
US steel quotes come in several units, and the same number means very different things depending on the unit.
- Per pound ($/lb) is the base unit. Everything else converts to it.
- Per hundredweight (cwt) is per 100 pounds. It is a common way to price bars, shapes and plate from a service center.
- Per short ton is per 2,000 pounds. Mill base prices and scrap are often quoted this way.
- Per long ton is 2,240 pounds. It is rare in US steel, but you may see it in older or imported pricing.
- Per metric tonne is 1,000 kg, which is 2,204.6 pounds. Imported steel is often quoted this way.
- Per foot is the weight per foot times the price per pound. It is a handy way to compare shapes.
Always ask which ton a number refers to. A short ton and a metric tonne differ by 10 percent.
Price converter
Enter a price and choose its unit. The other units update. Everything runs on your device.
Steel price converter
Per pound, per cwt, per short ton, per metric tonne, per kg.
Per metric tonne: $1,213. Per kg: $1.21.
Conversion table
These are typical prices per cwt, converted to the other units. The prices are examples. Use your supplier's.
| Per cwt (100 lb) | Per lb | Per short ton (2,000 lb) | Per metric tonne | Per kg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40 | $0.40 | $800 | $882 | $0.88 |
| $45 | $0.45 | $900 | $992 | $0.99 |
| $50 | $0.50 | $1,000 | $1,102 | $1.10 |
| $55 | $0.55 | $1,100 | $1,213 | $1.21 |
| $60 | $0.60 | $1,200 | $1,323 | $1.32 |
| $70 | $0.70 | $1,400 | $1,543 | $1.54 |
| $80 | $0.80 | $1,600 | $1,764 | $1.76 |
The two formulas to remember:
$ per lb = $ per cwt ÷ 100 = $ per short ton ÷ 2,000 = $ per metric tonne ÷ 2,204.6From price per pound to cost per foot
Cost per foot is the weight per foot times the price per pound. Weight per foot is the second number in a W-shape name, or comes from the table. See how to calculate steel weight and cost per foot for the weight formulas of bars, plate and pipe.
| Shape | lb/ft | Cost per ft | Cost of 20 ft | Cost of 40 ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W8x18 | 18 | $9.90 | $198.00 | $396.00 |
| W12x26 | 26 | $14.30 | $286.00 | $572.00 |
| W16x31 | 31 | $17.05 | $341.00 | $682.00 |
| W18x35 | 35 | $19.25 | $385.00 | $770.00 |
| W24x55 | 55 | $30.25 | $605.00 | $1,210.00 |
| L4x4x1/2 | 12.8 | $7.04 | $140.80 | $281.60 |
Worked example from a quote
A service center quotes $1,150 per short ton for a 40 ft W16x31 beam and $62 per cwt for a 20 ft L4x4x1/2 angle.
- Beam: $1,150 ÷ 2,000 = $0.575 per lb. Weight = 31 × 40 = 1,240 lb. Cost = 1,240 × $0.575 = $713.00, or $17.82 per foot.
- Angle: $62 ÷ 100 = $0.62 per lb. Weight = 12.8 × 20 = 256 lb. Cost = 256 × $0.62 = $158.72, or $7.94 per foot.
The two prices look different, $1,150 per ton against $62 per cwt, but they are $0.575 and $0.62 per pound. The angle is about 8 percent dearer per pound. Converting to a common unit makes the comparison obvious.
Mistakes that cost money
- Per ton read as per pound. $1,100 typed as a price per pound multiplies the cost by 2,000.
- Per cwt read as per ton. $55 per cwt is $1,100 per ton, not $55 per ton.
- Two tons. A short ton is 2,000 lb and a metric tonne is 2,204.6 lb. Convert imported prices before you compare.
- Feet and inches. Cost per foot uses weight per foot. A 20 in length is not 20 ft.
- Base price only. A mill base price excludes extras for size, grade, cutting and freight. The delivered price is what you pay.
- One price for all shapes. Beams, angles, plate and pipe usually have different prices per pound.
Set your price once in the app
In Steel Table USA, open the menu and type your steel price per pound. Every card then shows weight and cost per foot. If your supplier charges a different price for angles or plate, tap the dollar button on that category and give it its own price. Plate and sheet show dollars per square foot. The starting price in the app is an example, so enter your supplier's. Costs follow the unit system you choose, so you can quote in pounds or kilograms.
Questions people ask
How do I convert steel price per ton to price per pound?
Divide the price per short ton by 2,000. For example, $1,100 per ton is $0.55 per pound.
How do I convert price per cwt to price per pound?
Divide by 100. A cwt is 100 pounds, so $55 per cwt is $0.55 per pound.
How many pounds are in a ton of steel?
A short ton is 2,000 lb, a long ton is 2,240 lb and a metric tonne is 2,204.6 lb. US pricing normally uses the short ton.
How do I find the cost per foot of a steel beam?
Multiply the weight per foot by the price per pound. A W12x26 at 26 lb/ft and $0.55 per lb costs $14.30 per foot.
What does cwt mean in steel pricing?
Hundredweight, which is 100 pounds in the US. Prices per cwt are common for service center sales.
Can the app calculate cost per foot?
Yes. Type your price per pound in the menu and every card in Steel Table USA shows weight and cost per foot. Categories can have their own price.
Keep reading
Your price, every shape
Set your steel price once and Steel Table USA shows cost per foot on every card. Free on Google Play.
For reference, not for sign-off. Weights are theoretical, worked from a density of 490 lb per cubic foot, and prices are examples. Rolled shape weights are as shown in Steel Table USA from the AISC Shapes Database v16.0. Delivered weight differs slightly from theoretical weight because of rolling tolerances, so confirm quantities and prices with your supplier before ordering. The AISC Shapes Database is published by the American Institute of Steel Construction. Steel Table USA is an independent app and is not affiliated with or endorsed by AISC.