W12x65 is a wide flange steel beam that is 12.1 in deep with a 12 in flange and weighs 65 lb/ft (97 kg/m). Its metric designation is W310x97. All values below come from the AISC Shapes Database v16.0.
W12x65 Dimensions
| Property | Symbol | Imperial | Metric |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominal weight | W | 65 lb/ft | 97 kg/m |
| Cross-sectional area | A | 19.1 in² | 12,300 mm² |
| Depth | d | 12.1 in | 307 mm |
| Flange width | bf | 12 in | 305 mm |
| Web thickness | tw | 0.39 in | 9.91 mm |
| Flange thickness | tf | 0.605 in | 15.4 mm |
| Distance to web toe of fillet (design) | kdes | 1.2 in | 30.5 mm |
| Distance to web toe of fillet (detailing) | kdet | 1.5 in | 38.1 mm |
| Web center line to flange toe of fillet | k1 | 1 in | 25.4 mm |
| Distance between web toes of fillets | T | 9.125 in | 232 mm |
| Workable gage (inner holes) | WGi | 5.5 in | 140 mm |
W12x65 Section Properties
| Property | Symbol | Imperial | Metric |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moment of inertia, x-axis | Ix | 533 in⁴ | 222 ×10⁶ mm⁴ |
| Elastic section modulus, x-axis | Sx | 87.9 in³ | 1,440 ×10³ mm³ |
| Plastic section modulus, x-axis | Zx | 96.8 in³ | 1,590 ×10³ mm³ |
| Radius of gyration, x-axis | rx | 5.28 in | 134 mm |
| Moment of inertia, y-axis | Iy | 174 in⁴ | 72.4 ×10⁶ mm⁴ |
| Elastic section modulus, y-axis | Sy | 29.1 in³ | 477 ×10³ mm³ |
| Plastic section modulus, y-axis | Zy | 44.1 in³ | 723 ×10³ mm³ |
| Radius of gyration, y-axis | ry | 3.02 in | 76.7 mm |
| Torsional constant | J | 2.18 in⁴ | 907 ×10³ mm⁴ |
| Warping constant | Cw | 5,780 in⁶ | 1,550 ×10⁹ mm⁶ |
| Effective radius of gyration | rts | 3.38 in | 85.9 mm |
| Distance between flange centroids | ho | 11.5 in | 292 mm |
| Flange slenderness | bf/2tf | 9.92 | 9.92 |
| Web slenderness | h/tw | 24.9 | 24.9 |
W12x65 Weight Calculator
Enter a length to get the total weight of a W12x65 beam. A 20 ft length weighs 1,300 lb.
Uses the AISC nominal weight: 65 lb/ft (97 kg/m).
Beams Similar to W12x65
| Shape | Weight (lb/ft) | Depth (in) | Flange width (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| W12x72 | 72 | 12.3 | 12 |
| W12x58 | 58 | 12.2 | 10 |
| W12x53 | 53 | 12.1 | 10 |
See every W12 size in the W12 beam sizes chart, or compare all shapes in the wide flange beam sizes chart.
W12x65 FAQ
What does W12x65 mean?
W means wide flange. The first number (12) is the nominal depth in inches, and the second number (65) is the weight in pounds per foot. The actual depth of W12x65 is 12.1 in. How to read steel beam sizes.
How much does a W12x65 beam weigh?
W12x65 weighs 65 lb per foot (97 kg per meter). A 20 ft beam weighs about 1,300 lb. Use the calculator above for any length.
What is the metric equivalent of W12x65?
The metric (SI) designation is W310x97: 307 mm deep with a 305 mm flange and 97 kg/m.
How far can a W12x65 beam span?
Span depends on the load, support conditions, deflection limits and local building code, so it cannot be read from a size table. A licensed structural engineer must size any beam that carries a load.
Source: AISC Shapes Database v16.0, consistent with the AISC Steel Construction Manual, 16th Edition. Last updated: September 2026.
This page is reference information only and is not engineering advice. Do not use it for a specific design without verification by a licensed engineer or architect. Full disclaimer.