W16x36 is a wide flange steel beam that is 15.9 in deep with a 6.99 in flange and weighs 36 lb/ft (53 kg/m). Its metric designation is W410x53. All values below come from the AISC Shapes Database v16.0.
W16x36 Dimensions
| Property | Symbol | Imperial | Metric |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominal weight | W | 36 lb/ft | 53 kg/m |
| Cross-sectional area | A | 10.6 in² | 6,840 mm² |
| Depth | d | 15.9 in | 404 mm |
| Flange width | bf | 6.99 in | 178 mm |
| Web thickness | tw | 0.295 in | 7.49 mm |
| Flange thickness | tf | 0.43 in | 10.9 mm |
| Distance to web toe of fillet (design) | kdes | 0.832 in | 21.1 mm |
| Distance to web toe of fillet (detailing) | kdet | 1.125 in | 28.6 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 |
W16x36 Section Properties
| Property | Symbol | Imperial | Metric |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moment of inertia, x-axis | Ix | 448 in⁴ | 186 ×10⁶ mm⁴ |
| Elastic section modulus, x-axis | Sx | 56.5 in³ | 926 ×10³ mm³ |
| Plastic section modulus, x-axis | Zx | 64 in³ | 1,050 ×10³ mm³ |
| Radius of gyration, x-axis | rx | 6.51 in | 165 mm |
| Moment of inertia, y-axis | Iy | 24.5 in⁴ | 10.2 ×10⁶ mm⁴ |
| Elastic section modulus, y-axis | Sy | 7 in³ | 115 ×10³ mm³ |
| Plastic section modulus, y-axis | Zy | 10.8 in³ | 177 ×10³ mm³ |
| Radius of gyration, y-axis | ry | 1.52 in | 38.6 mm |
| Torsional constant | J | 0.545 in⁴ | 227 ×10³ mm⁴ |
| Warping constant | Cw | 1,460 in⁶ | 392 ×10⁹ mm⁶ |
| Effective radius of gyration | rts | 1.83 in | 46.5 mm |
| Distance between flange centroids | ho | 15.5 in | 394 mm |
| Flange slenderness | bf/2tf | 8.12 | 8.12 |
| Web slenderness | h/tw | 48.1 | 48.1 |
W16x36 Weight Calculator
Enter a length to get the total weight of a W16x36 beam. A 20 ft length weighs 720 lb.
Uses the AISC nominal weight: 36 lb/ft (53 kg/m).
Beams Similar to W16x36
| Shape | Weight (lb/ft) | Depth (in) | Flange width (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| W16x40 | 40 | 16 | 7 |
| W16x31 | 31 | 15.9 | 5.53 |
| W16x45 | 45 | 16.1 | 7.04 |
See every W16 size in the W16 beam sizes chart, or compare all shapes in the wide flange beam sizes chart.
W16x36 FAQ
What does W16x36 mean?
W means wide flange. The first number (16) is the nominal depth in inches, and the second number (36) is the weight in pounds per foot. The actual depth of W16x36 is 15.9 in. How to read steel beam sizes.
How much does a W16x36 beam weigh?
W16x36 weighs 36 lb per foot (53 kg per meter). A 20 ft beam weighs about 720 lb. Use the calculator above for any length.
What is the metric equivalent of W16x36?
The metric (SI) designation is W410x53: 404 mm deep with a 178 mm flange and 53 kg/m.
How far can a W16x36 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.