W18x46 is a wide flange steel beam that is 18.1 in deep with a 6.06 in flange and weighs 46 lb/ft (68 kg/m). Its metric designation is W460x68. All values below come from the AISC Shapes Database v16.0.
W18x46 Dimensions
| Property | Symbol | Imperial | Metric |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominal weight | W | 46 lb/ft | 68 kg/m |
| Cross-sectional area | A | 13.5 in² | 8,710 mm² |
| Depth | d | 18.1 in | 460 mm |
| Flange width | bf | 6.06 in | 154 mm |
| Web thickness | tw | 0.36 in | 9.14 mm |
| Flange thickness | tf | 0.605 in | 15.4 mm |
| Distance to web toe of fillet (design) | kdes | 1.01 in | 25.7 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 | 15.5 in | 394 mm |
| Workable gage (inner holes) | WGi | 3.5 in | 88.9 mm |
W18x46 Section Properties
| Property | Symbol | Imperial | Metric |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moment of inertia, x-axis | Ix | 712 in⁴ | 296 ×10⁶ mm⁴ |
| Elastic section modulus, x-axis | Sx | 78.8 in³ | 1,290 ×10³ mm³ |
| Plastic section modulus, x-axis | Zx | 90.7 in³ | 1,490 ×10³ mm³ |
| Radius of gyration, x-axis | rx | 7.25 in | 184 mm |
| Moment of inertia, y-axis | Iy | 22.5 in⁴ | 9.37 ×10⁶ mm⁴ |
| Elastic section modulus, y-axis | Sy | 7.43 in³ | 122 ×10³ mm³ |
| Plastic section modulus, y-axis | Zy | 11.7 in³ | 192 ×10³ mm³ |
| Radius of gyration, y-axis | ry | 1.29 in | 32.8 mm |
| Torsional constant | J | 1.22 in⁴ | 508 ×10³ mm⁴ |
| Warping constant | Cw | 1,720 in⁶ | 462 ×10⁹ mm⁶ |
| Effective radius of gyration | rts | 1.58 in | 40.1 mm |
| Distance between flange centroids | ho | 17.5 in | 444 mm |
| Flange slenderness | bf/2tf | 5.01 | 5.01 |
| Web slenderness | h/tw | 44.6 | 44.6 |
W18x46 Weight Calculator
Enter a length to get the total weight of a W18x46 beam. A 20 ft length weighs 920 lb.
Uses the AISC nominal weight: 46 lb/ft (68 kg/m).
Beams Similar to W18x46
| Shape | Weight (lb/ft) | Depth (in) | Flange width (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| W18x50 | 50 | 18 | 7.5 |
| W18x40 | 40 | 17.9 | 6.02 |
| W18x55 | 55 | 18.1 | 7.53 |
See every W18 size in the W18 beam sizes chart, or compare all shapes in the wide flange beam sizes chart. Working in millimetres? W18x46 is listed as W460x68 in the metric wide flange beam sizes chart.
W18x46 FAQ
What does W18x46 mean?
W means wide flange. The first number (18) is the nominal depth in inches, and the second number (46) is the weight in pounds per foot. The actual depth of W18x46 is 18.1 in. How to read steel beam sizes.
How much does a W18x46 beam weigh?
W18x46 weighs 46 lb per foot (68 kg per meter). A 20 ft beam weighs about 920 lb. Use the calculator above for any length.
What is the metric equivalent of W18x46?
The metric (SI) designation is W460x68: 460 mm deep with a 154 mm flange and 68 kg/m.
How far can a W18x46 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.