W18x97 is a wide flange steel beam that is 18.6 in deep with an 11.1 in flange and weighs 97 lb/ft (144 kg/m). Its metric designation is W460x144. All values below come from the AISC Shapes Database v16.0.
W18x97 Dimensions
| Property | Symbol | Imperial | Metric |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominal weight | W | 97 lb/ft | 144 kg/m |
| Cross-sectional area | A | 28.5 in² | 18,400 mm² |
| Depth | d | 18.6 in | 472 mm |
| Flange width | bf | 11.1 in | 282 mm |
| Web thickness | tw | 0.535 in | 13.6 mm |
| Flange thickness | tf | 0.87 in | 22.1 mm |
| Distance to web toe of fillet (design) | kdes | 1.27 in | 32.3 mm |
| Distance to web toe of fillet (detailing) | kdet | 1.75 in | 44.5 mm |
| Web center line to flange toe of fillet | k1 | 1.125 in | 28.6 mm |
| Distance between web toes of fillets | T | 15.125 in | 384 mm |
| Workable gage (inner holes) | WGi | 5.5 in | 140 mm |
W18x97 Section Properties
| Property | Symbol | Imperial | Metric |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moment of inertia, x-axis | Ix | 1,750 in⁴ | 728 ×10⁶ mm⁴ |
| Elastic section modulus, x-axis | Sx | 188 in³ | 3,080 ×10³ mm³ |
| Plastic section modulus, x-axis | Zx | 211 in³ | 3,460 ×10³ mm³ |
| Radius of gyration, x-axis | rx | 7.82 in | 199 mm |
| Moment of inertia, y-axis | Iy | 201 in⁴ | 83.7 ×10⁶ mm⁴ |
| Elastic section modulus, y-axis | Sy | 36.1 in³ | 592 ×10³ mm³ |
| Plastic section modulus, y-axis | Zy | 55.3 in³ | 906 ×10³ mm³ |
| Radius of gyration, y-axis | ry | 2.65 in | 67.3 mm |
| Torsional constant | J | 5.86 in⁴ | 2,440 ×10³ mm⁴ |
| Warping constant | Cw | 15,800 in⁶ | 4,240 ×10⁹ mm⁶ |
| Effective radius of gyration | rts | 3.08 in | 78.2 mm |
| Distance between flange centroids | ho | 17.7 in | 450 mm |
| Flange slenderness | bf/2tf | 6.41 | 6.41 |
| Web slenderness | h/tw | 30 | 30 |
W18x97 Weight Calculator
Enter a length to get the total weight of a W18x97 beam. A 20 ft length weighs 1,940 lb.
Uses the AISC nominal weight: 97 lb/ft (144 kg/m).
Beams Similar to W18x97
| Shape | Weight (lb/ft) | Depth (in) | Flange width (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| W18x106 | 106 | 18.7 | 11.2 |
| W18x86 | 86 | 18.4 | 11.1 |
| W18x76 | 76 | 18.2 | 11 |
See every W18 size in the W18 beam sizes chart, or compare all shapes in the wide flange beam sizes chart. Working in millimetres? W18x97 is listed as W460x144 in the metric wide flange beam sizes chart.
W18x97 FAQ
What does W18x97 mean?
W means wide flange. The first number (18) is the nominal depth in inches, and the second number (97) is the weight in pounds per foot. The actual depth of W18x97 is 18.6 in. How to read steel beam sizes.
How much does a W18x97 beam weigh?
W18x97 weighs 97 lb per foot (144 kg per meter). A 20 ft beam weighs about 1,940 lb. Use the calculator above for any length.
What is the metric equivalent of W18x97?
The metric (SI) designation is W460x144: 472 mm deep with a 282 mm flange and 144 kg/m.
How far can a W18x97 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.