How Many 20mm Rebar Bars in a Tonne?
At 2.468 kg/m, a standard 12 m bar of 20mm B500B weighs 29.6 kg — meaning one tonne holds approximately 34 bars and roughly 405 linear metres of reinforcing steel. This page gives the full breakdown by bar length for export procurement planning.
The Key Numbers for 20mm Rebar per Tonne
The calculation is simple once the weight per metre is known. For 20mm B500B reinforcing bar:
- Weight per metre: 2.468 kg/m (formula: 20² × 0.00617)
- Cross-sectional area: 314.2 mm²
- Linear metres per tonne: 1,000 ÷ 2.468 = ≈ 405 m/tonne
Dividing total linear metres per tonne by the bar length gives bars per tonne:
| Bar length | Bar weight (kg) | Bars per tonne | Linear m per tonne |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 m | 14.8 kg | ≈ 68 bars | ≈ 405 m |
| 9 m | 22.2 kg | ≈ 45 bars | ≈ 405 m |
| 12 m | 29.6 kg | ≈ 34 bars | ≈ 405 m |
| 18 m | 44.4 kg | ≈ 23 bars | ≈ 405 m |
Note that linear metres per tonne (≈ 405 m) is constant regardless of bar length — only the number of individual bars changes. This is important when specifying quantities: always confirm with your supplier whether the order is expressed in tonnes, linear metres, or piece count.
Bundle Count for Export Shipments
Steel Rebar Germany ships 20mm B500B in seaworthy bundles of approximately 2 tonnes, banded and tagged per EN 10080 marking requirements. At 29.6 kg per 12 m bar, a 2-tonne bundle contains approximately 67–68 bars. A standard 20-foot container can hold roughly 20–24 tonnes of 12 m bar (subject to weight limits and stacking configurations), equating to approximately 680–810 bars per FCL.
For FCL and LCL shipment options, see our export and delivery page. We also offer break-bulk and groupage options for partial tonnage orders.
Comparing 20mm Bars per Tonne Against Other Diameters
Knowing bars-per-tonne across diameters helps procurement teams cross-check quotes and logistics plans:
| Diameter (mm) | kg/m | Bars/tonne (12 m) | m/tonne |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 mm | 1.578 | ≈ 53 | ≈ 634 |
| 20 mm | 2.468 | ≈ 34 | ≈ 405 |
| 25 mm | 3.856 | ≈ 22 | ≈ 259 |
| 32 mm | 6.313 | ≈ 13 | ≈ 158 |
As diameter increases, the number of bars per tonne drops sharply — but each bar carries significantly more structural capacity. For 25mm bars, see our companion guide: how many 25mm rebar bars are in a tonne.
Adding Waste Allowance to Your Procurement Order
Structural drawings list net quantities of reinforcement. In practice, procurement must account for:
- Cutting waste — off-cuts from bar end optimisation (typically 3–7% depending on schedule complexity)
- Laps and splices — where bars overlap, additional length is consumed (lap lengths are typically 35–50× bar diameter, i.e. 700–1,000 mm for 20mm bars)
- Bar chairs and spacers — minor, but worth counting for large pours
A prudent rule of thumb: add 5–8% on top of net quantity for structural concrete works. For complex geometries or curved elements, allow up to 10%. Apply this factor before converting to tonnes and ordering.
How to Order 20mm Rebar from Steel Rebar Germany
When submitting your quote request, provide the following for accurate pricing and logistics:
- Total tonnage or linear metres of 20mm B500B required
- Bar length (6 m / 12 m / 18 m, or cut-and-bend schedule)
- Destination port or delivery address
- Required documentation (MTC EN 10204 3.1, Certificate of Origin, CE/DoP)
- Incoterms preference (FOB, CFR, CIF, DAP)
We respond with a full commercial quotation including unit price per tonne, freight options, and estimated lead time. For grade and mechanical property data, see our B500B rebar product page.
Frequently Asked Questions — 20mm Rebar Bars per Tonne
How many 20mm rebar bars are in a tonne for 12 m lengths?
How many linear metres of 20mm rebar are in a tonne?
What is the weight per metre of 20mm rebar?
How many 20mm bars fit in a 2-tonne bundle?
Should I add a waste allowance when ordering 20mm rebar?
Source German-standard rebar with full export documentation
Tell us your specification and destination port — we’ll respond with a detailed quotation.