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Density of Aluminum: kg/m³, g/cm³, lb/in³ and Common Alloy Values
Aluminum, also spelled aluminium in British English, is commonly approximated at 2.70 g/cm³ for general calculations. Commercial alloys, however, do not all have exactly the same density. This guide compares common aluminum alloy densities and explains how industrial buyers can use them to estimate theoretical material weight.
For general engineering calculations, the density of aluminum is commonly taken as approximately 2.70 g/cm³, 2,700 kg/m³, 0.0975 lb/in³ or about 168.6 lb/ft³.
These are useful general values, but alloy-specific nominal density should be used when a more accurate theoretical-weight estimate is required. For example, Aluminum Association data lists approximately 2.68 g/cm³ for 5052, 2.66 g/cm³ for 5083, 2.70 g/cm³ for 6061 and 2.81 g/cm³ for 7075.
What Is the Density of Aluminum?
Density describes the amount of mass contained in a given volume. For aluminum products, density is useful because it allows engineers, fabricators and purchasing teams to estimate material weight from known dimensions before the material is physically weighed.
These values are especially useful for preliminary material take-offs, quotation checks and freight planning. However, aluminum is available in many alloy systems, so a single density value should not be assumed to represent every grade exactly.
Density values in general material tables are nominal reference values. They are suitable for theoretical calculations but should not automatically become acceptance criteria for a purchase order. Material acceptance should follow the applicable specification, approved drawing and agreed inspection requirements.
Density of Common Aluminum Alloys
Commercial aluminum grades contain controlled quantities of alloying elements such as manganese, magnesium, silicon, copper and zinc. These additions change properties such as strength, workability, corrosion resistance and density.
The table below uses nominal density values from The Aluminum Association's wrought aluminum alloy registration data.
| Alloy | Density g/cm³ |
Density kg/m³ |
Density lb/in³ |
Common Industrial Context |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100 | 2.71 | 2,710 | 0.098 | Sheet, formed components and general-purpose products |
| 3003 | 2.73 | 2,730 | 0.099 | General fabrication, formed sheet and coil products |
| 5052 | 2.68 | 2,680 | 0.097 | Formed products, panels, tanks and corrosion-resistant fabrication |
| 5083 | 2.66 | 2,660 | 0.096 | Marine plate, welded structures and heavy fabrication |
| 6061 | 2.70 | 2,700 | 0.098 | Structural components, machining and engineering plate |
| 6063 | 2.70 | 2,700 | 0.097 | Extrusions, profiles and tubular products |
| 7075 | 2.81 | 2,810 | 0.101 | High-strength machined and precision components |
Values are nominal reference densities. Metric and U.S. customary figures are published with their own rounding precision, so converted figures may not reproduce every published rounded value exactly.
Using 2,700 kg/m³ is normally sufficient for a quick aluminum weight estimate. When a purchase involves a large quantity, freight planning or detailed material take-off, using the nominal density of the specified alloy provides a more precise theoretical estimate.
Why Does Aluminum Alloy Density Vary?
The alloy number identifies a controlled chemical composition rather than simply a different strength level. Adding other elements changes the mass of a given volume of material, which is why 3003, 5052, 5083, 6061 and 7075 do not have identical nominal densities.
3xxx Series
Manganese is the principal alloying element. 3003 is commonly used for general fabrication where workability and corrosion resistance are important.
5xxx Series
Magnesium is the principal alloying element. Common grades include 5052 and 5083, which are frequently discussed for fabricated and corrosion-resistant applications.
6xxx Series
Magnesium and silicon are important alloying elements. 6061 and 6063 are widely used for plate, structural parts, extrusions and tubular products.
Higher-strength 7xxx alloys contain zinc as a major alloying element and may also contain magnesium and copper. Their chemistry helps explain why a grade such as 7075 has a higher nominal density than common 5xxx and 6xxx alloys.
Does Aluminum Temper Change Density?
Alloy and temper should not be confused. The alloy designation defines the chemical composition, while the temper describes the processing condition applied to that alloy.
For example, 6061-T6 and 6061-T651 use the same basic 6061 alloy chemistry, but T651 additionally identifies a stress-relieved condition. The distinction is important for purchasing and machining, but it does not mean the two tempers should be assigned completely different alloy-density values.
Buyers working with machined plate can review our 6061-T6 vs T651 aluminum plate guide for a more detailed explanation of temper, stress relief and purchase specifications.
How to Calculate Aluminum Weight from Density
Density becomes especially useful when material dimensions are known. The basic theoretical-weight relationship is:
The units must be consistent. If density is expressed in kg/m³, dimensions should first be converted to meters before calculating the material volume.
Aluminum Sheet and Plate Weight
Suppose an industrial buyer requires a 6061 aluminum plate measuring 10 mm × 1500 mm × 3000 mm .
Convert the dimensions to meters:
0.010 m × 1.5 m × 3.0 m
Using a nominal 6061 density of 2,700 kg/m³:
0.010 × 1.5 × 3.0 × 2,700 = 121.5 kg
The theoretical material weight of one plate is therefore approximately 121.5 kg.
Buyers should first make sure that the requested flat product has been described correctly. If the distinction is unclear, see our aluminum sheet vs plate guide , which explains product form, thickness, tolerances and RFQ information.
Voyage Metal's aluminum plate category includes multiple industrial alloy options for projects requiring plate or cut material.
Aluminum Round Bar Weight
For a solid round aluminum bar, first calculate the volume of the cylindrical section and then multiply that volume by the nominal alloy density.
Weight = Volume × Density
When requesting aluminum bar , buyers should specify alloy, temper, diameter or section size, length, tolerance, quantity and any cutting requirements rather than relying on theoretical weight alone.
Aluminum Pipe and Tube Weight
Hollow aluminum products require a different volume calculation. The metal volume is calculated from the difference between the outer cylinder and the hollow inner section.
Weight = Metal Volume × Density
For an aluminum pipe or tube inquiry, provide the outside diameter, wall thickness, length, alloy, temper and tolerance. These dimensions are more important to a technically comparable quotation than theoretical weight alone.
What About Aluminum Coil?
Coil orders are often specified by thickness, width and total coil weight rather than by individual sheet dimensions. Density remains useful when checking theoretical metal volume or estimating the relationship between dimensions and weight.
Industrial buyers can review the aluminum coil category when a continuous rolled product is more suitable than individual sheet or plate.
Why Aluminum Density Matters in Industrial Purchasing
Density may look like a basic physical property, but it has several practical uses before and during an industrial purchase.
Material Take-Off
Drawing dimensions and quantities can be converted into an approximate total material weight before quotation.
Quotation Check
Buyers can compare a supplier's theoretical weight against the specified alloy, dimensions and requested quantity.
Freight Planning
Approximate material mass supports preliminary lifting, packing and international freight calculations.
Theoretical Weight vs Actual Supplied Weight
A density-based calculation gives a theoretical material weight. It should not automatically be treated as the exact shipment weight.
Actual supplied material dimensions are normally controlled within the applicable dimensional tolerances. Small differences in actual thickness, width, length or diameter therefore influence the final net weight. Export packaging, pallets, protective material and wooden cases are also separate from theoretical net metal weight.
For purchase orders, theoretical weight should not replace dimensional tolerance, actual quantity, agreed weighing basis or material acceptance requirements.
Density Cannot Verify an Aluminum Grade
Two aluminum alloys may have very similar densities. A density check therefore cannot confirm alloy identity, temper, chemical composition or mechanical properties.
Industrial material verification should instead rely on the agreed purchase specification, material identification, traceability, inspection requirements and required certification.
What Should an Aluminum RFQ Include?
Theoretical weight is useful for planning, but a supplier still needs a complete material specification before preparing a technically comparable quotation.
- Product form
- Alloy grade
- Required temper
- Complete dimensions
- Required tolerances
- Applicable standard
- Quantity
- Processing and document requirements
For a broader view of the available product forms, buyers can review Voyage Metal's aluminum product range before preparing an inquiry.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the density of aluminum in kg/m³?
Aluminum is commonly approximated at 2,700 kg/m³ for general calculations. Specific wrought aluminum alloys have slightly different nominal densities depending on their chemical composition.
What is the density of aluminum in g/cm³?
A commonly used general value is approximately 2.70 g/cm³. Alloy-specific values may be slightly lower or higher.
What is the density of aluminum in lb/in³?
Aluminum is commonly approximated at around 0.0975 lb/in³. Published alloy values are often rounded to approximately 0.096–0.101 lb/in³ depending on the alloy.
Do all aluminum alloys have the same density?
No. Aluminum alloys contain different proportions of magnesium, manganese, silicon, copper, zinc and other elements. These composition differences produce small but measurable changes in nominal density.
How do you calculate aluminum sheet or plate weight?
Calculate the material volume by multiplying thickness, width and length, then multiply that result by the alloy's nominal density. When density is expressed in kg/m³, convert all dimensions to meters first.
Is 6061 aluminum heavier than 5052 aluminum?
For identical dimensions, nominal alloy data indicates that 6061 is slightly denser than 5052. Typical nominal values are approximately 2.70 g/cm³ for 6061 and 2.68 g/cm³ for 5052. The difference is relatively small, and dimensional tolerance may also influence actual supplied weight.
Technical References & Data Notes
- The Aluminum Association. International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum and Wrought Aluminum Alloys — Teal Sheets, December 2025. Nominal alloy-density values in the comparison table are based on this industry registration record. View source .
- The Aluminum Association. Aluminum standards resources and alloy-series information were consulted for general alloy-system context. View standards resources .
- Kaiser Aluminum. Manufacturer technical-data resources were used as an additional cross-check for common commercial aluminum material data, including 6061. View technical data resources .
- Values in this article are nominal engineering references. The applicable material specification, drawing, purchase order and agreed inspection requirements should control an actual order.
Need Aluminum for a Project?
Send the required product form, alloy, temper, dimensions, tolerance, quantity, applicable standard and processing or certification requirements. Voyage Metal can review the material requirement before quotation.