W12x16 is a wide flange steel beam that is 12 in deep with a 3.99 in flange and weighs 16 lb/ft (23.8 kg/m). Its metric designation is W310x23.8. All values below come from the AISC Shapes Database v16.0.
W12x16 Dimensions
| Property | Symbol | Imperial | Metric |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominal weight | W | 16 lb/ft | 23.8 kg/m |
| Cross-sectional area | A | 4.71 in² | 3,040 mm² |
| Depth | d | 12 in | 305 mm |
| Flange width | bf | 3.99 in | 101 mm |
| Web thickness | tw | 0.22 in | 5.59 mm |
| Flange thickness | tf | 0.265 in | 6.73 mm |
| Distance to web toe of fillet (design) | kdes | 0.565 in | 14.4 mm |
| Distance to web toe of fillet (detailing) | kdet | 0.8125 in | 20.6 mm |
| Web center line to flange toe of fillet | k1 | 0.5625 in | 14.3 mm |
| Distance between web toes of fillets | T | 10.375 in | 264 mm |
| Workable gage (inner holes) | WGi | 2.25 in | 57.2 mm |
W12x16 Section Properties
| Property | Symbol | Imperial | Metric |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moment of inertia, x-axis | Ix | 103 in⁴ | 42.9 ×10⁶ mm⁴ |
| Elastic section modulus, x-axis | Sx | 17.1 in³ | 280 ×10³ mm³ |
| Plastic section modulus, x-axis | Zx | 20.1 in³ | 329 ×10³ mm³ |
| Radius of gyration, x-axis | rx | 4.67 in | 119 mm |
| Moment of inertia, y-axis | Iy | 2.82 in⁴ | 1.17 ×10⁶ mm⁴ |
| Elastic section modulus, y-axis | Sy | 1.41 in³ | 23.1 ×10³ mm³ |
| Plastic section modulus, y-axis | Zy | 2.26 in³ | 37 ×10³ mm³ |
| Radius of gyration, y-axis | ry | 0.773 in | 19.6 mm |
| Torsional constant | J | 0.103 in⁴ | 42.9 ×10³ mm⁴ |
| Warping constant | Cw | 96.9 in⁶ | 26 ×10⁹ mm⁶ |
| Effective radius of gyration | rts | 0.983 in | 25 mm |
| Distance between flange centroids | ho | 11.7 in | 297 mm |
| Flange slenderness | bf/2tf | 7.53 | 7.53 |
| Web slenderness | h/tw | 49.4 | 49.4 |
W12x16 Weight Calculator
Enter a length to get the total weight of a W12x16 beam. A 20 ft length weighs 320 lb.
Uses the AISC nominal weight: 16 lb/ft (23.8 kg/m).
Beams Similar to W12x16
See every W12 size in the W12 beam sizes chart, or compare all shapes in the wide flange beam sizes chart. Working in millimetres? W12x16 is listed as W310x23.8 in the metric wide flange beam sizes chart.
W12x16 FAQ
What does W12x16 mean?
W means wide flange. The first number (12) is the nominal depth in inches, and the second number (16) is the weight in pounds per foot. The actual depth of W12x16 is 12 in. How to read steel beam sizes.
How much does a W12x16 beam weigh?
W12x16 weighs 16 lb per foot (23.8 kg per meter). A 20 ft beam weighs about 320 lb. Use the calculator above for any length.
What is the metric equivalent of W12x16?
The metric (SI) designation is W310x23.8: 305 mm deep with a 101 mm flange and 23.8 kg/m.
How far can a W12x16 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.