IS 1239 Pipe Weight Chart: Light, Medium & Heavy Class (Kg/m)

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What Is IS 1239 Pipe?

The Indian Standard for steel pipes is IS 1239 (Part 1) - 2004. Steel pipes are used for different applications such as water, air, steam, and non-hazardous gas service. IS 1239 (Part 1) - 2004 has been linked to BS 1387 in the past but this does not imply that the two standards are directly interchangeable. It applies to electric resistance welded (ERW) pipe from 15mm to 150mm NB in three classes (Light, Medium and Heavy) that are used for water, low-pressure gas, air and general engineering duty, not for high-pressure process duty. Part 2 of IS 1239 covers the fittings that accompany this size pipe: sockets, elbows, tees and bends (all of the same size range).

IS 3589 is an Indian Standard that deals with steel pipes for use in distribution of drinking water, sewage and other fluids. This standard specifies an outside diameter range that is far wider than what is indicated in the table below for pipes with diameters more than 150 mm. Both standards are often used in combination in a single supplier chart as buyers may find themselves sizing a project both small and large bore, so both are included below.

For imperial NPS/schedule dimensions, look at the Pipe Schedule Chart. For the current prices of stainless steel, see our Stainless Steel Pipe Price List 

IS 1239 pipe comes in black (uncoated) or galvanised (GI) pipe. Galvanising provides a zinc coating to the same base tube and adds a very small amount of weight to it - most charts, including this one, assume it is not significant when estimating weight, and the theoretical black pipe weight is used unless otherwise indicated by the mill's certificate.

IS 1239 Pipe Weight Chart - Light, Medium & Heavy Class (15mm-150mm NB)

The following values are quoted as the reference/nominal values for IS 1239 (Part 1):2004. The reference table lists that Light class is not available for pipes above 100mm NB. Confirm the correct size, class, and dimension specifications according to the updated standard document before making the purchase.

Theoretical weights based on nominal OD and wall thickness. The actual dispatch weight may be within the tolerance band which is given further down this page, so refer to theoretical weight for budgeting and comparison, and to the packing list provided by the supplier for final dispatch weight.

Note: the figures provided here are merely theoretical and should not be relied upon. The actual quantities of the material supplied can vary but should be checked against the relevant standard IS 1239 and amendments and the purchase specification prior to procurement.

IS 3589 Big-Bore Steel Pipe Weight Chart (7" to 20")

IS 3589 is a separate Indian Standard covering larger-diameter steel pipe used in water and sewage disposal. The table given below acts as a related big-size reference but does not form part of IS 1239 Part 1 sizes.

Blank cells do not indicate that there is no wall thickness for the OD; they indicate that the wall thickness is not a standard value.

IS 1239 Pipe Weight Formula

All of the numbers above for the table are based on the same round pipe formula we use for all of our weight tables, but with mild steel instead of stainless density:

Weight (kg/m) = π x (OD - t) x t x 0.00785

The thickness, t, and the OD are measured in millimetres. The reason why an IS 1239 pipe and an SS pipe of the same size do not weigh the same is because the density of mild steel is 0.00785 kg/m/size of the pipe (7.85g/cm3) compared with 7.93g/cm3 as used in our stainless steel weight chart.

For calculations in sizes between table values, or to verify a supplier's weight quote, use the formula.

Worked Example: Calculating Pipe Weight

50mm (2") NB, Medium (Class B), single 6-metre length.

OD = 60.3mm, wall thickness = 3.65mm. Using the formula: 3.1416 x (60.3 - 3.65) x 3.65 x 0.00785 is approximately 5.10 kg/m, which matches the table above.

One 6-metre length: 5.10 x 6 is approximately 30.6 kg.

Order of 40 lengths at the same size: 30.6 x 40 = 1,224 kg (before packing allowance). However, if you upgrade to Heavy class (4.47mm wall, 6.17 kg/m), the total becomes around 1,481 kg for the same 40 lengths — confirming the class before ordering avoids this kind of cost variance on a large order.

Light vs Medium vs Heavy - Which Class Do You Need?

The three classes of IS 1239 have the same outside diameter at a particular NB with the only difference being the thickness of the wall which alters the weight and the pressure that can be safely carried by the pipe.

Without any specific mention, for most water, fencing and general fabrication work in India, it is safe to assume that the specification is medium (Class B). If the line is to be buried, pressurised or structurally loaded, move up to Heavy, but only down to Light if the application is really low stress, and the size is 100mm NB or less.

IS 1239 Weight & Thickness Tolerance

This is the difference that you will observe between a theoretical chart figure and an actual mill-weight slip and is explained by tolerance. A pipe that runs at the low end of the thickness tolerance band can reasonably weigh a few per cent below the table thickness and is not a defect as long as it's within the band above.

IS 1239 vs ASTM A53 vs EN 10255

Customers looking to an Indian project specification typically validate IS 1239 by referring to two other standards: ASTM A53 (for US/export) and EN 10255 (EU). However, these standards are not completely interchangeable. This is the practical comparison, none are 100% interchangeable – there are other differences between them, including size, pressure rating and certification.

In practice, both the EN 10255 and the IS 1239 are most nearly the same in intent (both are a type of Light/Medium/Heavy system for water and low-pressure duty), and the most commonly stated specification on export or US-based projects will be ASTM A53. Our carbon steel pipe range provides A53 grade pipe, in addition to A106 Gr B and API 5L, along with 3.1 documentation on every heat where required by your project for ASTM-certified material as opposed to an ISO standard.

Applications of IS 1239 Pipe

• Municipal and plant water mains - within the water pressure limits that have been selected for the water supply system.
• Agriculture and irrigation - field distribution piping, sprinkler mains.
• Both fencing and barriers - (galvanised fencing, road barriers, parking barriers, temporary site fencing) need to be installed if necessary.
• Packaging, structural and fabrication - gates, windows, railings, general light structural work
• Low-pressure gas and air lines – within a class-rated pressure limit
• General engineering - where a low-cost mild steel tube will suffice

All of these are not process, refinery or high-pressure duty. If the line is hot, corrosive or is beyond IS 1239's pressure range, the job is transferred to certified carbon steel (A106/A53), alloy steel, or stainless pipe, in that pressure range, respectively, Carbon Steel Pipes & Tubes and Stainless Steel Pipes for those ranges.

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