- | -------------- | ---------- | ------ | ------- | | W4x13 | 13 | 3.83 | 4.16 | 4.060 | | W6x15 | 15 | 4.43 | 5.99 | 5.990 | | W6x25 | 25 | 7.34 | 6.38 | 6.080 | | W8x18 | 18 | 5.26 | 8.14 | 5.250 | | W8x24 | 24 | 7.08 | 7.93 | 6.495 | | W8x31 | 31 | 9.12 | 8.00 | 8.000 | | W8x40 | 40 | 11.7 | 8.25 | 8.077 | | W10x22 | 22 | 6.49 | 10.17 | 5.750 | | W10x30 | 30 | 8.84 | 10.47 | 5.810 | | W10x45 | 45 | 13.3 | 10.10 | 8.022 | | W10x54 | 54 | 15.8 | 10.09 | 10.030 | | W12x26 | 26 | 7.65 | 12.22 | 6.490 | | W12x40 | 40 | 11.7 | 11.94 | 8.005 | | W12x50 | 50 | 14.6 | 12.19 | 8.715 | | W12x58 | 58 | 17.0 | 12.19 | 10.010 | | W12x65 | 65 | 19.1 | 12.12 | 12.000 | | W14x22 | 22 | 6.49 | 13.74 | 5.000 | | W14x30 | 30 | 8.85 | 13.84 | 6.730 | | W14x48 | 48 | 14.1 | 13.79 | 8.030 | | W14x61 | 61 | 17.9 | 13.89 | 9.995 | | W14x68 | 68 | 20.0 | 14.04 | 10.035 | | W14x82 | 82 | 24.1 | 14.31 | 10.130 | | W14x90 | 90 | 26.5 | 14.02 | 14.520 | | W16x36 | 36 | 10.6 | 15.86 | 6.985 | | W16x50 | 50 | 14.7 | 16.26 | 7.070 | | W18x40 | 40 | 11.8 | 17.90 | 6.015 | | W18x55 | 55 | 16.2 | 18.11 | 7.530 | | W18x76 | 76 | 22.3 | 18.21 | 11.035 | | W21x44 | 44 | 13.0 | 20.66 | 6.500 | | W21x57 | 57 | 16.7 | 21.06 | 6.555 | | W21x68 | 68 | 20.0 | 21.13 | 8.240 | | W24x55 | 55 | 16.2 | 23.57 | 7.005 | | W24x68 | 68 | 20.1 | 23.73 | 8.960 | | W24x84 | 84 | 24.7 | 24.10 | 9.020 | | W27x84 | 84 | 24.7 | 26.71 | 9.960 | | W27x102 | 102 | 30.0 | 27.29 | 10.010 | | W30x99 | 99 | 29.1 | 29.65 | 10.458 | | W30x124 | 124 | 36.5 | 30.17 | 10.510 | | W33x130 | 130 | 38.3 | 33.10 | 11.510 | | W36x150 | 150 | 44.2 | 36.74 | 12.000 |
HSS Weight Chart
Square HSS
| Shape | Weight (lb/ft) | Area (inÃÂò) |
|---|---|---|
| HSS2x2x1/4 | 5.41 | 1.59 |
| HSS3x3x3/16 | 7.07 | 2.08 |
| HSS4x4x1/4 | 12.37 | 3.59 |
| HSS5x5x3/8 | 22.37 | 6.59 |
| HSS6x6x3/8 | 27.48 | 8.01 |
| HSS6x6x1/2 | 35.24 | 10.37 |
| HSS8x8x3/8 | 37.69 | 11.03 |
| HSS8x8x1/2 | 49.16 | 14.46 |
| HSS10x10x3/8 | 47.40 | 13.89 |
| HSS10x10x1/2 | 62.12 | 18.27 |
| HSS12x12x3/8 | 57.11 | 16.80 |
| HSS12x12x1/2 | 75.08 | 22.08 |
Rectangular HSS
| Shape | Weight (lb/ft) |
|---|---|
| HSS4x2x1/4 | 9.42 |
| HSS6x4x3/8 | 22.37 |
| HSS8x4x3/8 | 27.48 |
| HSS8x6x3/8 | 33.76 |
| HSS10x6x3/8 | 39.92 |
| HSS12x6x1/2 | 75.08 |
| HSS14x6x3/8 | 47.40 |
| HSS16x8x1/2 | 89.68 |
C-Channel Weight Chart
| Shape | Weight (lb/ft) | Area (inÃÂò) | d (in) | bf (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C3x4.1 | 4.1 | 1.21 | 3.00 | 1.410 |
| C3x5 | 5.0 | 1.47 | 3.00 | 1.496 |
| C3x6 | 6.0 | 1.76 | 3.00 | 1.596 |
| C4x5.4 | 5.4 | 1.59 | 4.00 | 1.584 |
| C4x7.25 | 7.25 | 2.13 | 4.00 | 1.721 |
| C5x6.7 | 6.7 | 1.97 | 5.00 | 1.710 |
| C5x9 | 9.0 | 2.64 | 5.00 | 1.885 |
| C6x8.2 | 8.2 | 2.40 | 6.00 | 1.920 |
| C6x10.5 | 10.5 | 3.07 | 6.00 | 2.034 |
| C6x13 | 13.0 | 3.83 | 6.00 | 2.157 |
| C7x9.8 | 9.8 | 2.87 | 7.00 | 2.090 |
| C7x12.25 | 12.25 | 3.60 | 7.00 | 2.194 |
| C7x14.75 | 14.75 | 4.33 | 7.00 | 2.299 |
| C8x11.5 | 11.5 | 3.38 | 8.00 | 2.260 |
| C8x13.8 | 13.8 | 4.04 | 8.00 | 2.343 |
| C8x18.75 | 18.75 | 5.51 | 8.00 | 2.527 |
| C9x13.4 | 13.4 | 3.94 | 9.00 | 2.433 |
| C9x15 | 15.0 | 4.41 | 9.00 | 2.485 |
| C9x20 | 20.0 | 5.88 | 9.00 | 2.648 |
| C10x15.3 | 15.3 | 4.49 | 10.00 | 2.600 |
| C10x20 | 20.0 | 5.88 | 10.00 | 2.739 |
| C10x25 | 25.0 | 7.35 | 10.00 | 2.886 |
| C12x20.7 | 20.7 | 6.09 | 12.00 | 2.942 |
| C12x25 | 25.0 | 7.35 | 12.00 | 3.047 |
| C12x30 | 30.0 | 8.82 | 12.00 | 3.170 |
| C15x33.9 | 33.9 | 9.96 | 15.00 | 3.400 |
| C15x40 | 40.0 | 11.80 | 15.00 | 3.520 |
| C15x50 | 50.0 | 14.70 | 15.00 | 3.716 |
L-Angle Weight Chart
| Shape | Weight (lb/ft) |
|---|---|
| L2x2x1/4 | 3.19 |
| L2x2x3/8 | 4.70 |
| L2-1/2x2-1/2x1/4 | 4.10 |
| L2-1/2x2-1/2x3/8 | 6.00 |
| L3x3x1/4 | 4.90 |
| L3x3x3/8 | 7.20 |
| L3x3x1/2 | 9.40 |
| L3x2x1/4 | 4.10 |
| L3x2x3/8 | 6.10 |
| L4x4x1/4 | 6.60 |
| L4x4x3/8 | 9.80 |
| L4x4x1/2 | 12.80 |
| L4x3x1/4 | 5.80 |
| L4x3x3/8 | 8.50 |
| L5x5x3/8 | 12.30 |
| L5x5x1/2 | 16.20 |
| L5x3-1/2x3/8 | 10.30 |
| L6x4x3/8 | 11.70 |
| L6x4x1/2 | 15.30 |
| L6x6x3/8 | 14.90 |
| L6x6x1/2 | 19.60 |
| L8x8x1/2 | 26.40 |
| L8x6x1/2 | 22.60 |
| L8x4x1/2 | 19.60 |
Estimating Steel Weight — Quick Rules
Rule of Thumb: Weight per Foot
- W-shapes: approximately 5-8% heavier than the designation suggests (W12x26 = 26 lb/ft)
- HSS: multiply outside perimeter ÃÂÃÂ wall thickness ÃÂÃÂ 3.40
- Plate: 40.8 psf per inch of thickness (or 20.4 lb/ftÃÂò per 1/2 inch)
Plate Weight per Square Foot
| Thickness (in) | Weight (psf) |
|---|---|
| 1/8 | 5.10 |
| 3/16 | 7.65 |
| 1/4 | 10.2 |
| 5/16 | 12.8 |
| 3/8 | 15.3 |
| 1/2 | 20.4 |
| 5/8 | 25.5 |
| 3/4 | 30.6 |
| 1 | 40.8 |
| 1-1/4 | 51.0 |
| 1-1/2 | 61.2 |
| 2 | 81.6 |
Estimating Total Building Steel Weight
| Building Type | Steel Weight (psf of floor area) |
|---|---|
| Office building | 6-10 psf |
| Light industrial | 5-8 psf |
| Heavy industrial | 8-15 psf |
| Parking structure | 8-12 psf |
| Hospital | 10-15 psf |
| School | 6-10 psf |
Metric Conversion
| Unit | US Customary | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Weight per foot | 1 lb/ft | 1.488 kg/m |
| Weight per foot | 1 kg/m | 0.672 lb/ft |
| Density | 490 lb/ftÃÂó | 7850 kg/mÃÂó |
| Area | 1 inÃÂò | 645.2 mmÃÂò |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate the weight of a steel beam? Multiply the cross-sectional area (inÃÂò) by 3.40 to get lb/ft. For a W12x26 (A = 7.65 inÃÂò): 7.65 ÃÂà3.40 = 26.0 lb/ft.
What does the number after the x mean in a W-shape? It is the nominal weight per foot in pounds. W12x26 weighs approximately 26 pounds per linear foot.
How much does a 20 ft W18x55 beam weigh? 55 lb/ft ÃÂÃÂ 20 ft = 1,100 lb (0.55 tons). Add approximately 2-3% for connections and details.
What is the weight of steel per square foot per inch of thickness? 40.8 psf per inch of thickness. So 1/4 inch plate weighs 10.2 psf, 1/2 inch plate weighs 20.4 psf.
How do I convert lb/ft to kg/m? Multiply by 1.488. Example: 26 lb/ft ÃÂÃÂ 1.488 = 38.7 kg/m.
What does a typical steel building weigh? Office buildings: approximately 6-10 psf of floor area in structural steel. A 5-story, 20,000 sf floor plate building would contain roughly 600,000-1,000,000 lb (300-500 tons) of structural steel.
How do I estimate steel erection weight for crane selection?
- Identify the heaviest single piece (typically the largest beam or girder)
- Add 10% for rigging, connectors, and temporary bracing
- Select a crane with rated capacity exceeding this weight at the required radius
Code References
- ASTM A6/A6M -- General requirements establishing nominal weight basis for rolled W, S, M, C, and L shapes
- ASTM A500 -- Cold-formed welded and seamless carbon steel structural tubing (HSS weight per foot)
- ASTM A1085 -- HSS with tighter wall tolerances -- improved nominal weight consistency vs A500
- AISC Steel Construction Manual Table 1-1 -- Nominal weight per foot for all rolled W-shapes
Try it now: Check your steel weight with our free Steel Weight calculator âÃÂÃÂ
Related Pages
- Steel Weight Calculator — Interactive weight calculator
- Steel Beam Sizes — W, HSS, C dimensions
- Section Properties Database — Full searchable database
- Plate Weight Calculator — Steel plate weight by thickness
- Structural Steel Weights — Estimating guide
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.