W16x26 is a wide flange steel beam that is 15.7 in deep with a 5.5 in flange and weighs 26 lb/ft (38.8 kg/m). Its metric designation is W410x38.8. All values below come from the AISC Shapes Database v16.0.
W16x26 Dimensions
| Property | Symbol | Imperial | Metric |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominal weight | W | 26 lb/ft | 38.8 kg/m |
| Cross-sectional area | A | 7.68 in² | 4,950 mm² |
| Depth | d | 15.7 in | 399 mm |
| Flange width | bf | 5.5 in | 140 mm |
| Web thickness | tw | 0.25 in | 6.35 mm |
| Flange thickness | tf | 0.345 in | 8.76 mm |
| Distance to web toe of fillet (design) | kdes | 0.747 in | 19 mm |
| Distance to web toe of fillet (detailing) | kdet | 1.0625 in | 27 mm |
| Web center line to flange toe of fillet | k1 | 0.75 in | 19.1 mm |
| Distance between web toes of fillets | T | 13.625 in | 346 mm |
| Workable gage (inner holes) | WGi | 3.5 in | 88.9 mm |
W16x26 Section Properties
| Property | Symbol | Imperial | Metric |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moment of inertia, x-axis | Ix | 301 in⁴ | 125 ×10⁶ mm⁴ |
| Elastic section modulus, x-axis | Sx | 38.4 in³ | 629 ×10³ mm³ |
| Plastic section modulus, x-axis | Zx | 44.2 in³ | 724 ×10³ mm³ |
| Radius of gyration, x-axis | rx | 6.26 in | 159 mm |
| Moment of inertia, y-axis | Iy | 9.59 in⁴ | 3.99 ×10⁶ mm⁴ |
| Elastic section modulus, y-axis | Sy | 3.49 in³ | 57.2 ×10³ mm³ |
| Plastic section modulus, y-axis | Zy | 5.48 in³ | 89.8 ×10³ mm³ |
| Radius of gyration, y-axis | ry | 1.12 in | 28.4 mm |
| Torsional constant | J | 0.262 in⁴ | 109 ×10³ mm⁴ |
| Warping constant | Cw | 565 in⁶ | 152 ×10⁹ mm⁶ |
| Effective radius of gyration | rts | 1.38 in | 35.1 mm |
| Distance between flange centroids | ho | 15.4 in | 391 mm |
| Flange slenderness | bf/2tf | 7.97 | 7.97 |
| Web slenderness | h/tw | 56.8 | 56.8 |
W16x26 Weight Calculator
Enter a length to get the total weight of a W16x26 beam. A 20 ft length weighs 520 lb.
Uses the AISC nominal weight: 26 lb/ft (38.8 kg/m).
Beams Similar to W16x26
See every W16 size in the W16 beam sizes chart, or compare all shapes in the wide flange beam sizes chart.
W16x26 FAQ
What does W16x26 mean?
W means wide flange. The first number (16) is the nominal depth in inches, and the second number (26) is the weight in pounds per foot. The actual depth of W16x26 is 15.7 in. How to read steel beam sizes.
How much does a W16x26 beam weigh?
W16x26 weighs 26 lb per foot (38.8 kg per meter). A 20 ft beam weighs about 520 lb. Use the calculator above for any length.
What is the metric equivalent of W16x26?
The metric (SI) designation is W410x38.8: 399 mm deep with a 140 mm flange and 38.8 kg/m.
How far can a W16x26 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.