What is MS Pipe?
MS (Mild Steel) pipe is the most widely used steel pipe in India for plumbing, structural, fire-fighting, and general engineering applications. It is manufactured from low-carbon steel (typically 0.15–0.30% carbon) and has a density of 7850 kg/m³.
MS pipes are governed by two primary Indian Standards:
- IS:1239 — covers smaller diameter pipes (½″ to 6″ NB) for water, gas, and steam service. Available in Light, Medium, and Heavy classes.
- IS:3589 — covers larger diameter pipes (168.3mm to 2032mm OD) for water mains and structural applications.
MS Pipe Weight Formula Explained
The standard formula to calculate MS pipe weight per meter is derived from the cross-sectional area multiplied by steel density:
Where does 0.02466 come from? It is derived as: π × 7850 ÷ 1,000,000 = 0.02466. The 7850 is steel density in kg/m³ and 1,000,000 converts mm² to m².
Worked Example
For a 2″ MS pipe (OD = 60.3mm, Wall = 3.65mm):
IS:1239 MS Pipe Weight Chart (½″ to 4″)
The following table covers standard MS pipe sizes as per IS:1239. The Medium class wall thickness is shown as the reference standard.
| NB Size | OD (mm) | Wall Thickness (mm) | Weight (kg/m) | 6m Pipe (kg) | 12m Pipe (kg) | kg/ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ½″ | 21.3 | 2.65 | 1.21 | 7.27 | 14.54 | 0.369 |
| ¾″ | 26.7 | 2.65 | 1.56 | 9.38 | 18.75 | 0.476 |
| 1″ | 33.4 | 3.25 | 2.41 | 14.44 | 28.89 | 0.734 |
| 1¼″ | 42.2 | 3.25 | 3.10 | 18.61 | 37.22 | 0.945 |
| 1½″ | 48.3 | 3.25 | 3.58 | 21.47 | 42.93 | 1.09 |
| 2″ | 60.3 | 3.65 | 5.10 | 30.60 | 61.20 | 1.554 |
| 2½″ | 76.1 | 3.65 | 6.51 | 39.06 | 78.12 | 1.984 |
| 3″ | 88.9 | 4.05 | 8.64 | 51.84 | 103.68 | 2.634 |
| 3½″ | 101.6 | 4.05 | 9.93 | 59.56 | 119.13 | 3.027 |
| 4″ | 114.3 | 4.50 | 12.30 | 73.80 | 147.60 | 3.749 |
* Medium class wall thickness as per IS:1239. Actual weights may vary ±3.5% per manufacturing tolerance.
IS:3589 MS Pipe Weight Chart (4″ to 12″)
For larger diameter pipes used in water mains and structural applications, IS:3589 applies.
| OD (mm) | Wall Thickness (mm) | Weight (kg/m) | 6m Pipe (kg) | 12m Pipe (kg) | kg/ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 114.3 | 4.50 | 12.30 | 73.80 | 147.6 | 3.749 |
| 139.7 | 4.50 | 15.15 | 90.90 | 181.8 | 4.618 |
| 168.3 | 4.78 | 19.40 | 116.4 | 232.8 | 5.913 |
| 219.1 | 5.56 | 29.40 | 176.4 | 352.8 | 8.961 |
| 273.0 | 6.35 | 42.00 | 252.0 | 504.0 | 12.80 |
| 323.9 | 6.35 | 49.90 | 299.4 | 598.8 | 15.21 |
| 355.6 | 7.92 | 68.20 | 409.2 | 818.4 | 20.79 |
How to Read This Chart
- NB (Nominal Bore) — the pipe's approximate inner diameter used for identification. It does not represent actual OD or ID.
- OD (Outer Diameter) — the actual outside measurement used in weight calculation.
- Wall Thickness — determines pipe class (Light / Medium / Heavy). Thicker wall = heavier pipe = higher pressure rating.
- kg/m — weight per 1 meter of pipe. Multiply by pipe length to get total weight.
Quick Reference — Most Common Sizes
These are the sizes ordered most frequently on construction and industrial sites in India:
| Size | OD × Wall | kg/m | 6m pipe weight | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1″ MS Pipe | 33.4 × 3.25mm | 2.41 kg | 14.4 kg | Water supply, conduit |
| 1½″ MS Pipe | 48.3 × 3.25mm | 3.58 kg | 21.5 kg | Plumbing, irrigation |
| 2″ MS Pipe | 60.3 × 3.65mm | 5.10 kg | 30.6 kg | Fire-fighting, water main |
| 3″ MS Pipe | 88.9 × 4.05mm | 8.64 kg | 51.8 kg | Industrial, structural |
| 4″ MS Pipe | 114.3 × 4.50mm | 12.3 kg | 73.8 kg | Water main, casing |