Steel Beam Sizes Chart & Finder
Dimensions, weights and section properties for every wide flange (W), I-beam (S) and H-pile (HP) shape. Type any size to look it up instantly.
W16x26
Metric: W410x38.8
- Weight
- 26 lb/ft
- Depth (d)
- 15.7 in
- Flange width (bf)
- 5.5 in
- Web thickness (tw)
- 0.25 in
- Flange thickness (tf)
- 0.345 in
- Moment of inertia (Ix)
- 301 in⁴
- Section modulus (Sx)
- 38.4 in³
Steel Beam Sizes by Depth
Pick a series, sort any column and drag the slider to hide beams heavier than you need.
Steel Beam Weight Calculator
Choose any AISC W, S or HP shape, enter the length and quantity, and get the total weight.
26 lb/ft × 20 ft × 1
Open the I-beam weight calculator →Popular Steel Beam Sizes
Full dimension, weight and property pages for the beam sizes people look up most.
Beam Charts & Guides
Size charts for every shape family, plus plain-English guides to reading and choosing steel beams.
ShapeWide flange
Depth16 in nominal (15.7 in actual)
Weight26 lb per foot
How to read a beam size
The letter is the shape family, the first number is the nominal depth in inches and the second is the weight in pounds per foot. Read the full guide →
Steel Beam Size Questions
What do the numbers in a steel beam size mean?
In a size like W16x26, W is the shape family (wide flange), 16 is the nominal depth in inches and 26 is the weight in pounds per foot. The actual depth of a W16x26 is 15.7 in, so always check the size table. How to read steel beam sizes.
What is the difference between a W beam and an I-beam?
W shapes (wide flange) have parallel inner flange faces. S shapes, the American Standard I-beams, have narrower, sloped flanges. In everyday use both are often called I-beams. H-beam vs I-beam.
How much does a steel I-beam weigh?
The weight per foot is the second number in the size. W shapes in the AISC database range from 8.5 lb/ft (W6x8.5) to 925 lb/ft (W36x925). Use the weight calculator for total weight.
Where does BeamChart’s data come from?
Every dimension and property comes from the AISC Shapes Database v16.0. The data is for reference only: have a licensed structural engineer size any beam that carries a load. Sources & methodology.
From the BeamChart Blog
Plain-English articles on how steel framing is sized, named and ordered, written from published standards and manufacturer data and cross-linked to the charts on this site.
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- Does Stainless Steel Rust? Why It Happens and How to Stop It
- Density of Steel in lb/in³, lb/ft³ and kg/m³ (With Weight Formula)
Reference information only, not engineering advice. Do not use it for a specific design without verification by a licensed engineer or architect.