Glass Weight Calculator
Mass per square metre, per pane and in total for glass.
Inputs
Result
Formula
| Area | A = length × width in metres |
| Mass per m² | W = thickness × 2.5 × panes |
| Mass per unit | A × W |
| Total | per unit × quantity |
| Density basis | 2500 kg/m³ = 2.5 kg/m² per mm |
| Sealed units | Add the panes, ignore the cavity |
1200 × 600 × 10 mm single glazing, six panes: 0.720 m² and 18.00 kg each, 108.00 kg total. Made as 6+12A+6 sealed units the same size is 21.60 kg — beyond one person.
FAQ
Why exactly 2.5 kg per square metre per millimetre?
Float glass is about 2500 kg/m³, and 1 m² at 1 mm is 0.001 m³, so 2.5 kg. The relation only holds with thickness in millimetres and area in square metres. Toughened and laminated glass runs 2.5-2.56, within 2%, so 2.5 is used on site.
How do I know if a pane can be handled manually?
Go by mass: under 30 kg one person can carry it a short way, 30-50 kg needs two, 50-120 kg needs vacuum lifters and at least three, and above 120 kg plan for mechanical handling. Size matters too — anything over 2.4 m long twists and cracks even when light, so carry it upright, never flat.
How is curtain wall load estimated?
Take the self weight from this tool and add wind. The characteristic wind load is the 50-year basic pressure times shape, height and gust factors — about 1.0-2.0 kN/m² inland, 3-4 kN/m² on a coastal high-rise. A 30 kg/m² sealed unit is only 0.3 kN/m², so curtain walls are governed by wind, not weight.
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Results are estimating aids only and are not a design basis. Construction and final accounts must follow the drawings, the applicable standards and an approved method statement. Anything affecting structural safety, shoring or falsework must be checked by a suitably qualified engineer.