W14x38 is a wide flange steel beam that is 14.1 in deep with a 6.77 in flange and weighs 38 lb/ft (57.8 kg/m). Its metric designation is W360x57.8. All values below come from the AISC Shapes Database v16.0.
W14x38 Dimensions
| Property | Symbol | Imperial | Metric |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominal weight | W | 38 lb/ft | 57.8 kg/m |
| Cross-sectional area | A | 11.2 in² | 7,230 mm² |
| Depth | d | 14.1 in | 358 mm |
| Flange width | bf | 6.77 in | 172 mm |
| Web thickness | tw | 0.31 in | 7.87 mm |
| Flange thickness | tf | 0.515 in | 13.1 mm |
| Distance to web toe of fillet (design) | kdes | 0.915 in | 23.2 mm |
| Distance to web toe of fillet (detailing) | kdet | 1.25 in | 31.8 mm |
| Web center line to flange toe of fillet | k1 | 0.8125 in | 20.6 mm |
| Distance between web toes of fillets | T | 11.625 in | 295 mm |
| Workable gage (inner holes) | WGi | 3.5 in | 88.9 mm |
W14x38 Section Properties
| Property | Symbol | Imperial | Metric |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moment of inertia, x-axis | Ix | 385 in⁴ | 160 ×10⁶ mm⁴ |
| Elastic section modulus, x-axis | Sx | 54.6 in³ | 895 ×10³ mm³ |
| Plastic section modulus, x-axis | Zx | 61.5 in³ | 1,010 ×10³ mm³ |
| Radius of gyration, x-axis | rx | 5.87 in | 149 mm |
| Moment of inertia, y-axis | Iy | 26.7 in⁴ | 11.1 ×10⁶ mm⁴ |
| Elastic section modulus, y-axis | Sy | 7.88 in³ | 129 ×10³ mm³ |
| Plastic section modulus, y-axis | Zy | 12.1 in³ | 198 ×10³ mm³ |
| Radius of gyration, y-axis | ry | 1.55 in | 39.4 mm |
| Torsional constant | J | 0.798 in⁴ | 332 ×10³ mm⁴ |
| Warping constant | Cw | 1,230 in⁶ | 330 ×10⁹ mm⁶ |
| Effective radius of gyration | rts | 1.82 in | 46.2 mm |
| Distance between flange centroids | ho | 13.6 in | 345 mm |
| Flange slenderness | bf/2tf | 6.57 | 6.57 |
| Web slenderness | h/tw | 39.6 | 39.6 |
W14x38 Weight Calculator
Enter a length to get the total weight of a W14x38 beam. A 20 ft length weighs 760 lb.
Uses the AISC nominal weight: 38 lb/ft (57.8 kg/m).
Beams Similar to W14x38
| Shape | Weight (lb/ft) | Depth (in) | Flange width (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| W14x34 | 34 | 14 | 6.75 |
| W14x43 | 43 | 13.7 | 8 |
| W14x30 | 30 | 13.8 | 6.73 |
See every W14 size in the W14 beam sizes chart, or compare all shapes in the wide flange beam sizes chart.
W14x38 FAQ
What does W14x38 mean?
W means wide flange. The first number (14) is the nominal depth in inches, and the second number (38) is the weight in pounds per foot. The actual depth of W14x38 is 14.1 in. How to read steel beam sizes.
How much does a W14x38 beam weigh?
W14x38 weighs 38 lb per foot (57.8 kg per meter). A 20 ft beam weighs about 760 lb. Use the calculator above for any length.
What is the metric equivalent of W14x38?
The metric (SI) designation is W360x57.8: 358 mm deep with a 172 mm flange and 57.8 kg/m.
How far can a W14x38 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.