----- | -------------- | ---------- | ------ | ------- | ------- | -------- | -------- | | C3x3.5 | 3.50 | 1.03 | 3.00 | 1.37 | 0.14 | 1.40 | 0.93 | | C3x4.1 | 4.10 | 1.20 | 3.00 | 1.41 | 0.17 | 1.64 | 1.09 | | C3x5 | 5.00 | 1.47 | 3.00 | 1.50 | 0.26 | 1.87 | 1.25 | | C3x6 | 6.00 | 1.76 | 3.00 | 1.60 | 0.36 | 2.07 | 1.38 | | C4x4.1 | 4.10 | 1.20 | 4.00 | 1.38 | 0.10 | 2.81 | 1.41 | | C4x5.4 | 5.40 | 1.58 | 4.00 | 1.43 | 0.16 | 3.40 | 1.70 | | C4x6.3 | 6.30 | 1.85 | 4.00 | 1.51 | 0.23 | 3.79 | 1.90 | | C4x7.3 | 7.30 | 2.14 | 4.00 | 1.58 | 0.30 | 4.10 | 2.05 | | C5x6.1 | 6.10 | 1.79 | 5.00 | 1.43 | 0.11 | 5.24 | 2.10 | | C5x6.7 | 6.70 | 1.97 | 5.00 | 1.49 | 0.16 | 5.72 | 2.29 | | C5x8.2 | 8.20 | 2.41 | 5.00 | 1.59 | 0.24 | 6.49 | 2.60 | | C5x9 | 9.00 | 2.64 | 5.00 | 1.64 | 0.29 | 6.85 | 2.74 | | C6x8.2 | 8.20 | 2.41 | 6.00 | 1.51 | 0.11 | 10.86 | 3.62 | | C6x10 | 10.00 | 2.94 | 6.00 | 1.61 | 0.19 | 12.59 | 4.20 | | C6x13 | 13.00 | 3.82 | 6.00 | 1.77 | 0.34 | 14.86 | 4.95 | | C7x9.8 | 9.80 | 2.88 | 7.00 | 1.57 | 0.10 | 17.33 | 4.95 | | C7x12.3 | 12.30 | 3.61 | 7.00 | 1.68 | 0.19 | 19.46 | 5.56 | | C7x14.8 | 14.80 | 4.35 | 7.00 | 1.78 | 0.28 | 21.15 | 6.04 | | C8x11.5 | 11.50 | 3.38 | 8.00 | 1.63 | 0.10 | 25.89 | 6.47 | | C8x13.8 | 13.80 | 4.05 | 8.00 | 1.73 | 0.17 | 28.88 | 7.22 | | C8x18.8 | 18.80 | 5.52 | 8.00 | 1.89 | 0.35 | 32.73 | 8.18 | | C9x13.4 | 13.40 | 3.94 | 9.00 | 1.71 | 0.11 | 37.79 | 8.40 | | C9x15 | 15.00 | 4.40 | 9.00 | 1.77 | 0.17 | 40.33 | 8.96 | | C9x20 | 20.00 | 5.87 | 9.00 | 1.93 | 0.35 | 45.05 | 10.01 | | C10x15.3 | 15.30 | 4.49 | 10.00 | 1.77 | 0.12 | 52.58 | 10.52 | | C10x20 | 20.00 | 5.87 | 10.00 | 1.89 | 0.24 | 60.62 | 12.12 | | C10x25 | 25.00 | 7.34 | 10.00 | 2.03 | 0.38 | 67.21 | 13.44 | | C10x30 | 30.00 | 8.81 | 10.00 | 2.16 | 0.51 | 72.32 | 14.46 | | C12x20.7 | 20.70 | 6.08 | 12.00 | 1.85 | 0.12 | 97.15 | 16.19 | | C12x25 | 25.00 | 7.34 | 12.00 | 1.96 | 0.24 | 109.63 | 18.27 | | C12x30 | 30.00 | 8.81 | 12.00 | 2.09 | 0.38 | 119.44 | 19.91 | | C15x33.9 | 33.90 | 9.95 | 15.00 | 2.13 | 0.22 | 214.04 | 28.54 | | C15x40 | 40.00 | 11.76 | 15.00 | 2.26 | 0.35 | 228.02 | 30.40 | | C15x50 | 50.00 | 14.69 | 15.00 | 2.47 | 0.55 | 245.36 | 32.71 |

Miscellaneous Channels (MC Shapes)

Designation Weight (lb/ft) Area (in²) d (in) bf (in) tw (in) Ix (in⁴)
MC6x7 7.00 2.06 6.00 1.77 0.10 11.38
MC6x12 12.00 3.52 6.00 2.00 0.26 15.57
MC7x19.1 19.10 5.61 7.00 2.14 0.36 29.32
MC8x8.5 8.50 2.50 8.00 1.87 0.10 22.41
MC8x18 18.00 5.29 8.00 2.12 0.29 34.87
MC8x20 20.00 5.87 8.00 2.17 0.34 37.19
MC8x21.4 21.40 6.28 8.00 2.20 0.38 38.35
MC10x6.8 6.80 2.00 10.00 1.77 0.08 29.35
MC10x8.4 8.40 2.47 10.00 1.84 0.13 33.72
MC10x22 22.00 6.46 10.00 2.22 0.33 67.95
MC10x25 25.00 7.34 10.00 2.29 0.39 72.70
MC10x28.5 28.50 8.37 10.00 2.37 0.46 76.72
MC10x33.6 33.60 9.87 10.00 2.48 0.57 82.13
MC12x10.6 10.60 3.11 12.00 1.92 0.10 60.64
MC12x14.3 14.30 4.20 12.00 2.01 0.19 68.30
MC12x31 31.00 9.10 12.00 2.40 0.45 126.37
MC13x31.8 31.80 9.34 13.00 2.37 0.39 149.22
MC13x35 35.00 10.28 13.00 2.44 0.45 157.24
MC13x40 40.00 11.76 13.00 2.55 0.56 166.64
MC18x42.7 42.70 12.54 18.00 2.55 0.39 371.34
MC18x45.8 45.80 13.45 18.00 2.59 0.45 381.17
MC18x51.9 51.90 15.24 18.00 2.68 0.56 396.80
MC18x58 58.00 17.03 18.00 2.77 0.68 410.51

Typical Channel Applications

Application Typical Size Notes
Stair stringers C10x15 to C12x20 Two channels with grating treads
Light beams C8x11 to C12x25 Short spans, light loads
Column bases C6x8 to C10x20 Girts and base channels
Girts (wall framing) C6x8 to C8x13 Metal building wall supports
Purlins (roof framing) C8x11 to C10x15 Metal building roof supports
Bracing C6x10 to C8x18 Lateral bracing members
Equipment supports C10x15 to C12x25 Grating, platforms
Edge forms C6x8 to C8x11 Concrete edge conditions
Bridge stringers C12x25 to C15x50 Short-span bridges

ASTM Specifications

Spec Grade Fy (ksi)
A36 — 36
A572 Gr 50 50
A992 50 50 (some producers)

Most standard channels are A36. MC shapes may be A572 Gr 50 for structural applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between C and MC channels? C shapes (American Standard) have a standard flange slope (approximately 16.7%). MC shapes (Miscellaneous) have wider, less sloped flanges, providing better lateral stability and more efficient section properties.

What is the most common structural channel? C8x11.5 and C10x15.3 are among the most commonly specified channels for miscellaneous structural applications. C12x20.7 and C12x25 are common for stair stringers.

Can channels be used as beams? Yes, but channels have low weak-axis strength and are prone to lateral-torsional buckling. They must be laterally supported or used in pairs (back-to-back) for beam applications.

How much does a 10-foot piece of C8x11.5 weigh? 11.5 lb/ft × 10 ft = 115 lb.

Try it now: Check your steel channel 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.