Press Brake Tonnage Calculator
Estimate the tonnage needed to bend sheet metal on a press brake.
Required tonnage
Enter values to see the required tonnage.
Usage examples
Checking if your press brake can handle a new job
Enter the material thickness and die width to confirm your press brake has enough tonnage before starting a bend.
Quickly sizing up feasibility before quoting
Compare the tonnage a customer's requested thickness and material will need against your equipment's capacity before quoting the job.
Seeing how die width choice affects tonnage
Check how narrowing or widening the V-die opening changes the required tonnage, to help pick the right die.
Frequently asked questions
Can I fully trust this result?
This calculator uses the widely-used air-bending rule of thumb (constant 1.42) — actual tonnage can vary with material batch, friction, and die geometry. For critical jobs, cross-check against your machine manufacturer's tonnage chart.
How do I pick the V-die opening width?
A common starting point is the 'Rule of 8' — 8 times the material thickness. If you know the actual width of your die, enter that instead.
Does this apply to coining or bottoming?
No. This formula is for air bending. Coining and bottoming require much higher tonnage, often 5–30 times more than air bending.
What if my material isn't in the list?
Choose 'Custom' and enter its tensile strength (MPa) from the material's datasheet.