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304 Stainless Steel Pipe Price Per Foot: Weight, Sizes

When purchasing 304 stainless steel pipe, one of the most frequently asked questions is: "What is the weight per foot of 304 stainless steel pipe?" Knowing the accurate weight per foot is crucial, whether you are estimating material costs, calculating shipping fees, designing piping systems, or preparing project quotations.

 

This guide provides the standard formula for calculating the weight per foot of 304 stainless steel pipe, detailed weight charts for common pipe sizes, practical calculation examples, and expert advice on selecting the right ASTM A312 TP304 pipe for specific applications. Whether you are sourcing pipe for chemical processing, food production, construction, or oil and gas projects, this article will help you make informed purchasing decisions.

 

How To Calculate The Weight Of  304 Stainless Steel Pipe ?

Calculating the weight of a 304 stainless steel pipe is essential for estimating material costs, transportation loads, and structural requirements. The pipe weight is determined by its outside diameter (OD), wall thickness (WT), and the density of stainless steel.

Formula For Metric Units (Kg/M); Weight (kg/m) = (OD − WT) × WT × 0.0248

Example Calculation
For a 304 stainless steel pipe with:
Outside Diameter: 60.3 mm
Wall Thickness: 3.91 mm
Weight per meter:
(60.3 − 3.91) × 3.91 × 0.0248 = 5.47 kg/m
Therefore, the pipe weighs approximately 5.47 kg per meter.

Note: These formulas provide theoretical weights based on standard stainless steel density. Actual weights may vary slightly due to manufacturing tolerances specified in ASTM A312, ASTM A269, or other applicable standards.

 

304 Stainless Steel Pipe Dimensions and Weight Chart

NPS (Inch) OD (mm) Sch 5S (mm) Weight ( kg/m ) Sch 10S (mm) Weight ( kg/m ) Sch 40S (mm) Weight ( kg/m ) Sch 80S (mm) Weight ( kg/m )
1/8" 10.29 0.89 0.21 1.24 0.28 1.73 0.37 2.41 0.48
1/4" 13.72 1.24 0.39 1.65 0.50 2.24 0.64 3.02 0.81
3/8" 17.15 1.24 0.50 1.65 0.64 2.31 0.86 3.20 1.12
1/2" 21.34 1.65 0.82 2.11 1.02 2.77 1.29 3.73 1.65
3/4" 26.67 1.65 1.04 2.11 1.30 2.87 1.71 3.91 2.23
1" 33.40 1.65 1.31 2.77 2.13 3.38 2.55 4.55 3.29
1-1/4" 42.16 1.65 1.68 2.77 2.74 3.56 3.45 4.85 4.54
1-1/2" 48.26 1.65 1.93 2.77 3.16 3.68 4.12 5.08 5.51
2" 60.33 1.65 2.43 2.77 4.00 3.91 5.53 5.54 7.62
2-1/2" 73.03 2.11 3.76 3.05 5.36 5.16 8.79 7.01 11.62
3" 88.90 2.11 4.60 3.05 6.57 5.49 11.50 7.62 15.55
4" 114.30 2.11 5.95 3.05 8.52 6.02 16.36 8.56 22.73
5" 141.30 2.77 9.63 3.40 11.77 6.55 22.16 9.53 31.51
6" 168.28 2.77 11.51 3.40 14.07 7.11 28.77 10.97 43.32
8" 219.08 2.77 15.04 3.76 20.32 8.18 43.34 12.70 65.79
10" 273.05 3.40 23.01 4.19 28.27 9.27 61.39 15.09 97.71
12" 323.85 3.96 31.79 4.57 36.62 9.53 75.14 17.48 134.39

 

What is the difference between sch 10 and sch 40?

The primary difference between Schedule (Sch) 10 and Schedule 40 pipes is wall thickness. Schedule 40 pipes have walls nearly twice as thick as Sch 10 pipes. Consequently, Sch 40 withstands much higher pressures and is heavier, while Sch 10 is more lightweight, less expensive, and easier to install.

 Difference Between Sch 10 And Sch 40

 

 

What Is the Average Price of 304 Stainless Steel Pipe Per Foot?

For small- to medium-sized (1/2-inch to 6-inch) welded 304 stainless steel pipe, the average price ranges from $2 to $65 per foot, whereas the price for large-diameter or heavy-duty seamless pipe can exceed $100 to $300 per foot.

NPS (Inches) Outside Diameter (OD) Sch 10S Wall (WT) Sch 10S Price/ft Sch 40S Wall (WT) Sch 40S Price/ft
1/2" 0.840" (21.3mm) 0.083" (2.11mm) $1.85 – $2.40 0.109" (2.77mm) $2.60 – $3.20
3/4" 1.050" (26.7mm) 0.083" (2.11mm) $2.30 – $2.95 0.113" (2.87mm) $3.30 – $4.10
1" 1.315" (33.4mm) 0.109" (2.77mm) $3.80 – $4.60 0.133" (3.38mm) $4.80 – $5.90
1-1/4" 1.660" (42.2mm) 0.109" (2.77mm) $4.90 – $6.10 0.140" (3.56mm) $6.40 – $7.80
1-1/2" 1.900" (48.3mm) 0.109" (2.77mm) $5.70 – $7.20 0.145" (3.68mm) $7.50 – $9.20
2" 2.375" (60.3mm) 0.109" (2.77mm) $7.20 – $8.90 0.154" (3.91mm) $10.50 – $13.50
2-1/2" 2.875" (73.0mm) 0.120" (3.05mm) $11.50 – $14.20 0.203" (5.16mm) $18.50 – $23.00
 
The prices listed above are for reference only and do not constitute a binding offer for the final transaction. The actual transaction price is subject to the written quotation provided by the supplier on the day of purchase. Click here to get the latest price!

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According to 2026 market data, raw material costs for 304 stainless steel pipes typically account for 60% to 70% of the final pipe price, with nickel (requiring a minimum content of 8% under the TP304 standard) being the most volatile component. For instance, a 10% fluctuation in nickel ore prices can trigger a 3% to 5% adjustment in the retail cost of finished pipes within a short 14-day production cycle.
 
For high-precision projects, buyers should note that ASTM A312 TP304 seamless pipes are priced 40% to 60% higher than ERW (Electric Resistance Welded) pipes. This premium is due to the energy-intensive piercing and cold-drawing processes required for seamless pipes to meet high-pressure safety ratings.

 

 

Does wall thickness affect 304 pipe cost?

Yes, wall thickness directly affects the cost of 304 stainless steel pipe. Pipes with thicker walls consume more raw material, resulting in a higher cost per foot. For instance, switching from Schedule 40 to Schedule 80 pipe can increase material and shipping costs by 30% or more due to the added weight.

 

Is 304 pipe cheaper than 316?

Yes, 304 stainless steel pipe is less expensive than 316 stainless steel pipe. 304 stainless steel is primarily composed of chromium and nickel and offers excellent durability in most standard, non-corrosive environments; while 316 contains the same base metals, it includes an additional 2% to 3% of molybdenum and a higher nickel content. Generally, the initial cost of 304 stainless steel is about 15% to 30% lower than that of 316.

 

304 vs 316 Stainless Steel Pipe Price Trend

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If you are deciding between seamless and welded 304 stainless steel pipes, please refer to the table below to help you choose.

 

SS 304 ERW Pipe vs. SS 304 Seamless Pipe: Key Differences

  SS 304 ERW Pipe SS 304 Seamless Pipe
Manufacturing Cold-formed from flat coil, edges pressed and heated with electric current. Extruded from a solid steel billet, drawn into a hollow tube.
Weld Seam Yes, contains a visible longitudinal weld along the cross-section. None; solid uniform construction throughout.
Pressure Rating Lower; weld joint efficiency typically requires a 20-30% reduction in allowable working pressure. Higher; uniform grain flow provides maximum strength and pressure resistance.
Surface Finish Very smooth and uniform, bead can be polished flat. Often rougher; requires additional cold rolling or drawing for a smooth finish.
Cost Budget-friendly; typically 20–35% cheaper than seamless. Costlier due to intensive manufacturing and raw material processes.
Ideal Applications Structural support, architectural, low-to-medium pressure fluid/gas transport. Oil & gas, refineries, high-temperature/high-pressure systems, critical corrosive environments.

 

304 Stainless Steel Pipe Manufacturer – GNEE Stainless Steel

GNEE Stainless maintains an inventory of over 500 tons, offering the industry's fastest delivery times for standard NPS sizes and wall thickness schedules. In addition to standard piping, we provide specialized processing services such as precision cutting, beveling, threading, and PVD color coating.

 

304 Stainless steel pipe Specification

Pipe Type Manufacturing Method Size Range (OD) Wall Thickness (WT) Standard Compliance
Seamless Pipe Cold Drawn / Cold Rolled 6mm – 762mm Sch 5S to Sch XXS ASTM A312, ASME SA312
Welded Pipe ERW, EFW, LSAW 12mm – 2000mm Sch 5S to Sch 80S ASTM A312, A358, A778
Sanitary Tube Polished / Cold Rolled 12.7mm – 204mm 0.5mm – 4.0mm ASTM A270, DIN 11850
Decorative Tube Welded / Polished 10mm – 219mm 0.3mm – 6.0mm ASTM A554
Square/Rect Tube Welded / Formed 10x10 – 400x400 0.5mm – 20mm ASTM A554, GBT 6728
304 stianless steel round pipe
304 stianless steel round pipe
ASTM A312 TP304 Seamless Pipe
ASTM A312 TP304 Seamless Pipe
ASTM A270 TP304 Sanitary Tube
ASTM A270 TP304 Sanitary Tube
ASTM A554 TP304 Decorative Tube
ASTM A554 TP304 Decorative Tube

 

Quality Control & Certification

GNEE ensures 100% traceability for every pipe through a comprehensive certification system. Material Test Certificates (MTC) are available in accordance with EN 10204 3.1 or 3.2 standards.
EN 10204 3.1 or 3.2 standards
Prior to shipment, all GNEE pipes must pass the following tests:
  • Chemical Composition Analysis: PMI (Positive Material Identification) to verify nickel and chromium content.
  • Mechanical Property Testing: Tensile, yield strength, and hardness (Rockwell/Brinell) tests.
  • Weld Integrity: 100% Hydrostatic testing along with Eddy Current (ECT) or Ultrasonic Testing (UT).
304 Stainless steel pipe PMI Testing
304 Stainless steel pipe PMI Testing
100% Hydrostatic testing
100% Hydrostatic testing

Professional Export Packaging

  • Surface Protection: Each pipe is individually sleeved in a plastic bag or wrapped in high-strength PE film to prevent scratches and surface contamination.
  • Pipe End Protection: Plastic or metal end caps are utilized to protect bevels and threads from impact damage and debris.
  • Bundling: Pipes are secured into hexagonal bundles using steel strapping and lifting belts, enabling safe and efficient crane handling.
  • Shipping & Logistics: We offer flexible shipping terms-including FOB, CIF, DDP, and DAP-with departures from major global ports such as Tianjin, Shanghai, and Qingdao.
  • Pipe End Protection
    Pipe End Protection
    Wooden crate packaging
    Wooden crate packaging

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