Steel coils are the backbone of the global steel supply chain, used in construction, automotive, appliances, shipbuilding, and countless other industries. Whether you are a buyer, distributor, or engineer, one of the most important specifications to understand is the weight of a steel coil.

Knowing the average coil weight helps buyers estimate logistics costs, optimize transport, and plan storage capacity. In this article, we’ll explain the average weight of different steel coils, the formula to calculate coil weight, and practical examples.

1. What Is a Steel Coil?

A steel coil is a long, continuous strip of steel that has been rolled into a coil shape for easy storage, handling, and transportation. Coils can be produced from:

• Hot Rolled Steel (HRC) – thicker, used in heavy industry.

• Cold Rolled Steel (CRC) – thinner, smooth finish for appliances.

• Galvanized Steel (GI/GL) – zinc or aluminum-zinc coated.

• Color-Coated Steel (PPGI/PPGL) – pre-painted galvanized or galvalume steel.

Each type of coil has different thickness, width, and length — which directly impacts its average weight.

2. Formula to Calculate Steel Coil Weight

The weight of a steel coil is determined by its dimensions and density of steel. The standard density of steel is 7.85 g/cm³ (or 7,850 kg/m³).

Formula:

Alternatively, mills calculate by outer and inner diameters:

Where:

• $R_{outer}$ = Outer radius of coil

• $R_{inner}$ = Inner radius (usually 508 mm or 610 mm standard)

3. Average Steel Coil Weight by Type

Because coils vary widely, here are the typical weight ranges for common coil types in 2025:

A. Hot Rolled Coil (HRC)

• Thickness: 2.0 – 6.0 mm

• Width: 1,200 – 1,500 mm

• Average Weight: 20 – 30 tons per coil

• Usage: Shipbuilding, heavy machinery, infrastructure.

B. Cold Rolled Coil (CRC)

• Thickness: 0.3 – 3.0 mm

• Width: 1,000 – 1,250 mm

• Average Weight: 10 – 25 tons per coil

• Usage: Automotive panels, appliances, precision engineering.

C. Galvanized Steel Coil (GI/GL)

• Thickness: 0.2 – 2.0 mm

• Width: 914 – 1,250 mm

• Average Weight: 5 – 20 tons per coil

• Usage: Roofing, wall cladding, pipes, outdoor structures.

D. Color-Coated Steel Coil (PPGI/PPGL)

• Thickness: 0.2 – 1.2 mm

• Width: 914 – 1,250 mm

• Average Weight: 3 – 10 tons per coil

• Usage: Roofing sheets, siding, decorative applications.

4. Rule of Thumb – Coil Weight per Thickness

A quick way to estimate weight is to remember:

• 1 mm thickness, 1,000 mm width coil weighs ≈ 7.85 kg per meter length.

• For example:

  • 0.5 mm thickness, 1,000 m length → ≈ 3.9 tons

  • 1.0 mm thickness, 1,000 m length → ≈ 7.85 tons

Most industrial mills wind coils until they reach 10–25 tons for economic shipping. Lighter coils (3–10 tons) are preferred for color-coated coils since customers often need easier handling.

5. Coil Weight by Packaging Standards

Most steel mills follow international standards for coil packaging and shipping weights:

• Export Coils (for containers): 3 – 15 tons (easier for forklift handling)

• Bulk Shipping Coils (breakbulk vessels): 20 – 30 tons per coil

• Mini Coils: 1 – 5 tons, usually cut from larger coils for small orders

This flexibility allows buyers in Europe, the USA, Asia, and Africa to choose coil sizes that fit transport restrictions and equipment capabilities.

6. Why Coil Weight Matters for Buyers

Understanding coil weight is not just about logistics — it has a direct impact on project planning and cost efficiency.

1. Transport Costs

• Truckload or container capacity depends on coil weight.

• A 20-ton coil may require special handling, while 5-ton coils fit standard forklifts.

2. Storage & Handling

• Heavy coils need cranes, coil cars, or C-hooks.

• Light coils can be managed with forklifts.

3. Production Efficiency

• Large coils (20+ tons) reduce downtime for coil changes.

• Smaller coils offer flexibility for varied production runs.

4. Import & Export

• Many countries set weight limits for port handling.

• Exporters often customize coil weights for specific markets.

7. Example Coil Weight Calculations

Let’s calculate a few practical examples:

Example 1: Hot Rolled Coil

• Thickness: 3.0 mm

• Width: 1,250 mm

• Length: 1,200 m

• Weight = 1.25 × 0.003 × 1,200 × 7,850 = 35,325 kg (35.3 tons)

Example 2: Galvanized Coil

• Thickness: 0.5 mm

• Width: 1,000 mm

• Length: 800 m

• Weight = 1.0 × 0.0005 × 800 × 7,850 = 3,140 kg (3.14 tons)

Example 3: PPGI Coil

• Thickness: 0.4 mm

• Width: 1,200 mm

• Length: 1,200 m

• Weight = 1.2 × 0.0004 × 1,200 × 7,850 = 4,521 kg (4.52 tons)

8. Global Market Trend for Coil Sizes (2025)

In 2025, steel mills continue to produce large coils (20–30 tons) for bulk buyers, while lightweight coils (3–10 tons) are increasingly popular in Europe and North America due to transport restrictions and smaller processing lines.

• Asia (China, India, Vietnam): 15–25 ton coils common for export.

• Europe: 5–15 ton coils preferred for roofing and construction.

• USA: Mix of 10–20 ton coils depending on end-user industry.

• Middle East & Africa: 5–15 ton coils for construction imports.

9. Conclusion

So, what is the average weight of a steel coil?

• Hot Rolled Coils: 20–30 tons

• Cold Rolled Coils: 10–25 tons

• Galvanized Coils: 5–20 tons

• Color-Coated Coils (PPGI/PPGL): 3–10 tons

Ultimately, the coil weight depends on thickness, width, and order specifications. For buyers, the key is to balance handling efficiency with transport costs — larger coils save time in production, while smaller coils are easier to move and store.