---------- | -------------- | ---------- | ------------- | ------- | -------- | | L2x2x1/8 | 1.55 | 0.45 | 0.11 | 0.49 | — | | L2x2x3/16 | 2.28 | 0.67 | 0.16 | 0.48 | — | | L2x2x1/4 | 2.97 | 0.87 | 0.20 | 0.48 | — | | L2-1/2x2-1/2x1/4 | 3.79 | 1.11 | 0.41 | 0.61 | — | | L2-1/2x2-1/2x3/8 | 5.55 | 1.63 | 0.57 | 0.59 | — | | L3x3x3/16 | 3.50 | 1.03 | 0.57 | 0.74 | — | | L3x3x1/4 | 4.59 | 1.35 | 0.73 | 0.74 | — | | L3x3x3/8 | 6.71 | 1.97 | 1.02 | 0.72 | — | | L3x3x1/2 | 8.69 | 2.55 | 1.26 | 0.70 | — | | L3-1/2x3-1/2x1/4 | 5.40 | 1.58 | 1.19 | 0.87 | — | | L3-1/2x3-1/2x3/8 | 7.93 | 2.33 | 1.68 | 0.85 | — | | L3-1/2x3-1/2x1/2 | 10.31 | 3.02 | 2.10 | 0.83 | — | | L4x4x1/4 | 6.22 | 1.82 | 1.89 | 1.02 | — | | L4x4x3/8 | 9.17 | 2.69 | 2.68 | 1.00 | — | | L4x4x1/2 | 11.96 | 3.51 | 3.37 | 0.98 | — | | L4x4x5/8 | 14.59 | 4.28 | 3.97 | 0.96 | — | | L5x5x1/4 | 7.84 | 2.30 | 3.76 | 1.28 | — | | L5x5x3/8 | 11.59 | 3.40 | 5.39 | 1.26 | — | | L5x5x1/2 | 15.19 | 4.46 | 6.84 | 1.24 | — | | L5x5x5/8 | 18.65 | 5.47 | 8.14 | 1.22 | — | | L6x6x3/8 | 14.01 | 4.11 | 9.52 | 1.52 | — | | L6x6x1/2 | 18.43 | 5.40 | 12.14 | 1.50 | — | | L6x6x5/8 | 22.69 | 6.65 | 14.62 | 1.48 | — | | L6x6x3/4 | 26.79 | 7.86 | 16.97 | 1.47 | — | | L7x7x3/8 | 16.43 | 4.82 | 15.38 | 1.79 | — | | L7x7x1/2 | 21.63 | 6.35 | 19.69 | 1.76 | — | | L7x7x5/8 | 26.69 | 7.83 | 23.74 | 1.74 | — | | L7x7x3/4 | 31.60 | 9.27 | 27.56 | 1.72 | — | | L8x8x1/2 | 24.84 | 7.29 | 30.07 | 2.03 | — | | L8x8x5/8 | 30.69 | 9.01 | 36.39 | 2.01 | — | | L8x8x3/4 | 36.39 | 10.67 | 42.30 | 1.99 | — | | L8x8x1 | 47.28 | 13.87 | 52.55 | 1.95 | — |

Unequal Leg Angles

Designation Weight (lb/ft) Area (in²) Ix (in⁴) rx (in) Iy (in⁴) ry (in)
L3x2x3/16 2.96 0.87 0.54 0.79 0.19 0.47
L3x2x1/4 3.89 1.14 0.69 0.78 0.24 0.46
L3x2x3/8 5.70 1.67 0.96 0.76 0.34 0.45
L4x3x1/4 5.76 1.69 2.01 1.09 0.87 0.72
L4x3x3/8 8.50 2.49 2.87 1.07 1.25 0.71
L4x3x1/2 11.10 3.25 3.63 1.06 1.59 0.70
L5x3x1/4 6.59 1.93 3.76 1.40 0.87 0.67
L5x3x3/8 9.73 2.86 5.40 1.37 1.26 0.66
L5x3x1/2 12.76 3.74 6.90 1.36 1.61 0.66
L5x3-1/2x3/8 10.26 3.01 5.66 1.37 2.27 0.87
L6x3-1/2x3/8 11.04 3.24 9.03 1.67 2.27 0.84
L6x3-1/2x1/2 14.50 4.25 11.56 1.65 2.93 0.83
L6x4x3/8 12.01 3.52 9.70 1.66 3.33 0.97
L6x4x1/2 15.80 4.63 12.48 1.64 4.30 0.96
L6x4x5/8 19.44 5.70 14.97 1.62 5.18 0.95
L8x4x1/2 18.36 5.38 27.10 2.24 4.30 0.89
L8x4x5/8 22.63 6.63 32.72 2.22 5.22 0.89
L8x6x1/2 21.06 6.17 31.25 2.25 14.40 1.53
L8x6x5/8 25.98 7.61 37.77 2.23 17.46 1.51

ASTM Specifications for Angles

Spec Grade Fy (ksi) Common Use
A36 — 36 Most angles, general purpose
A572 Gr 50 50 Higher strength, bracing
A588 — 50 Weathering, exposed structures
A500 Gr B/C 46/50 Some manufacturers use A500

Typical Angle Applications

Application Typical Size Notes
Lintels L4x4x1/4 to L6x6x3/8 Single or double angle, span 4-8 ft
Light bracing L3x3x1/4 to L4x4x3/8 Tension or compression
Connection clips L4x3x3/8 to L6x4x1/2 Bolted or welded
Framing (metal studs) L2x2x1/8 to L3x3x1/4 Non-structural framing
Base angles L4x4x3/8 to L6x6x1/2 Connecting columns to foundation
Stair stringers L5x3-1/2x3/8 to L6x4x1/2 Light stairs
Cross bracing L3x3x1/4 to L5x5x3/8 Horizontal and vertical braces
Equipment supports L4x4x3/8 to L6x6x1/2 Grating supports, pipe racks

Weight Formula for Angles

Approximate weight per foot: W (lb/ft) ≈ 2 × t × (L - 0.5t) × 3.40

where t = thickness (in), L = leg length (in). For unequal legs, use each leg separately.

Example: L4x4x3/8: W ≈ 2 × 0.375 × (4 - 0.1875) × 3.40 ≈ 9.74 lb/ft (actual: 9.17 lb/ft due to fillet)

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a 4x4x3/8 steel angle weigh? 9.17 lb/ft. A 20-foot piece weighs approximately 183 lb.

What is the most common structural steel angle? L4x4x3/8 (A36) is the most commonly used structural angle for connections, bracing, and miscellaneous steel.

What is the difference between equal and unequal leg angles? Equal leg angles have both legs the same length (e.g., L4x4). Unequal leg angles have different leg lengths (e.g., L4x3). Unequal legs are used when connection geometry requires different dimensions on each side.

Can angles be used as beams? Small angles (L3 to L5) can span short distances as lintels or light beams. The weak axis capacity is very low, so angles must be properly oriented. For longer spans, use W-shapes or channels.

Try it now: Check your steel angle weight with our free Steel Weight calculator →

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Disclaimer

This is a calculation tool, not a substitute for professional engineering certification. All results must be independently verified by a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) or Structural Engineer (SE) before use in construction, fabrication, or permit documents. The user is responsible for the accuracy of all inputs and the verification of all outputs.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the recommended design procedure for this structural element?

The standard design procedure follows: (1) establish design criteria including applicable code, material grade, and loading; (2) determine loads and applicable load combinations; (3) analyze the structure for internal forces; (4) check member strength for all applicable limit states; (5) verify serviceability requirements; and (6) detail connections. Computer analysis is recommended for complex structures, but hand calculations should be used for verification of critical elements.

How do different design codes compare for this calculation?

AISC 360 (US), EN 1993 (Eurocode), AS 4100 (Australia), and CSA S16 (Canada) follow similar limit states design philosophy but differ in specific resistance factors, slenderness limits, and partial safety factors. Generally, EN 1993 uses partial factors on both load and resistance sides (γM0 = 1.0, γM1 = 1.0, γM2 = 1.25), while AISC 360 uses a single resistance factor (φ). Engineers should verify which code is adopted in their jurisdiction.