Rebar Mesh Weight Calculator
Weight per square metre and total mesh weight from dimensions and spacings.
Quick answer
With the default inputs: Mesh length 6 · Mesh width 2 · Longitudinal spacing 200 etc.Weight per m² 4.21 kg/m²
Edit the inputs below to recalculate.Inputs
Result
Weight per m²
4.21kg/m²
| Area | 12.00m² |
| Longitudinal bars | 11bars |
| Transverse bars | 31bars |
| Total length | 128.0m |
| Unit weight | 0.395kg/m |
| Total weight | 50.5kg |
| Steel per m² | 4.2kg/m² |
Laps and waste are excluded — allow 3-5% extra when ordering. For equal spacings, steel per m² can be estimated quickly as 2 × unit weight ÷ spacing in metres.
Reverse: known result, work out one input
Enter a target result; the other inputs stay fixed and this one is worked out.
Formula
| Longitudinal | n1 = floor(width ÷ s1) + 1 |
| Transverse | n2 = floor(length ÷ s2) + 1 |
| Total length | L = n1 × length + n2 × width |
| Total weight | W = L × 0.00617 × d² |
| Per m² | w = W ÷ (length × width) |
A 6 × 2 m mesh at 200 mm both ways with Φ8: 11 longitudinal bars totalling 66 m and 31 transverse totalling 62 m, so 128 m, 50.5 kg and 4.21 kg/m².
How to work it out
- Bars along the length: n1 = ⌊mesh width ÷ spacing⌋ + 1.
- Bars across the width: n2 = ⌊mesh length ÷ spacing⌋ + 1.
- Total length = n1 × mesh length + n2 × mesh width.
- Total weight = total length × 0.00617 × d².
- Weight per square metre = total ÷ (length × width), a useful shortcut for pricing.
Where it goes wrong
- Swapping the two counts — longitudinal bars are counted across the width and transverse bars along the length; reversing them mistotals the length, by a factor of three where the sides differ threefold.
- Measuring welded mesh sheet by sheet when it is sold in fixed sizes (for example 2×6 m) — take whole sheets plus 5-8% for site cutting of edges and corners.
- Ignoring laps — large areas need at least one full grid of lap between sheets (200 mm or one spacing), and that quantity is routinely missed.
Material and cost
Welded mesh D8@200 runs 4,500-5,200 per tonne and beats site tying on labour, but is uneconomic on small or irregular areas. Tying Φ8 on site costs 600-900 per tonne in labour.
On site
- Bridge decks, hardstandings and tunnel linings suit welded mesh best, provided there is cranage to place it.
- Mesh needs spacers on blinding and its own weight crushes weak ones — use high-strength spacers or concrete strips.
- Stagger the laps so they do not all fall on one line.
Basis
- GB/T 1499.3-2022 Steel for reinforced concrete, Part 3: welded fabric
- GB 50010-2010 Code for design of concrete structures, Section 9.3
- GB 50204-2015 Code for acceptance of concrete structures, Chapter 5
FAQ
Is 4 kg/m² typical?
For Φ8 at 200 mm both ways the field figure is 3.95-4.2 kg/m², so 4.21 is normal once integer bar counts are allowed for. For reference: Φ8@150 is about 5.5, Φ10@200 about 6.2 and Φ12@200 about 8.9 kg/m². Ground slabs commonly use Φ8 or Φ10 at 200 mm.
How much mesh lap is needed?
At least 300 mm and not less than 30d, lapped in both directions where the mesh is two-way, with staggered positions and no more than 50% lapped at one section. Welded wire mesh often uses one grid plus 100 mm, roughly 300-400 mm, plus anchorage at edges.
Is prefabricated mesh or site tying cheaper?
For large, uniform areas prefabricated mesh saves labour and lays 3-5 times faster with accurate spacing, but comes in fixed sizes and wastes 5-10% cutting around irregular edges. Site tying is more flexible for small or complex shapes and double layers. Either way, add waste to the net weight.
Cite this page
Use this format in reports, method statements or coursework. The link is permanent.
Building Calculator. Rebar Mesh Weight Calculator. 2026-10-25. https://jianzhujisuan.com/en/rebar-mesh
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.