Free Estimating Tool

Steel Beam Weight Calculator W, HSS, Angle, Channel and Plate

Pick a shape and size, enter the length and quantity, and get the weight in pounds, tons and kilograms. Sizes and weights per foot come from the AISC Shapes Database.

Weight per foot0
Weight per piece0
Total weight0
Total tons / kg0

Nominal weights from the AISC Shapes Database v15.0. Use for estimating and shipping only, not for structural design.

How It Works

How to Calculate Steel Beam Weight

Multiply the weight per foot by the length in feet, then by the number of pieces.

Weight (lb) = weight per foot × length (ft) × quantity

For a W shape, the weight per foot is the second number in the size. A W10x49 weighs 49 lb per foot, so one 20 foot W10x49 weighs 49 × 20 = 980 lb. For HSS, angles and pipe, the weight per foot isn't in the name, so the calculator looks it up from the AISC Shapes Database.

For plate and flat bar, steel weighs about 40.8 lb per square foot for every inch of thickness. A 1/2 inch plate weighs about 20.4 lb per square foot.

Reading a W shape size

In W10x49, "W" means wide flange, "10" is the nominal depth in inches, and "49" is the weight in pounds per linear foot. Two beams with the same depth can weigh very different amounts, so always check the full size.

Quick Reference

Common W Beam Weights

Weight per foot and the weight of a 20 foot and a 40 foot length for wide flange sizes that show up often on commercial jobs.

Sizelb per ft20 ft length (lb)40 ft length (lb)
W8x1010200400
W8x1818360720
W10x1212240480
W10x2222440880
W10x49499801,960
W12x26265201,040
W12x40408001,600
W14x2222440880
W14x30306001,200
W16x26265201,040
W18x35357001,400
W21x44448801,760
W24x55551,1002,200
Common Questions

Steel Weight FAQ

How much does a steel beam weigh per foot?

It depends on the size. For wide flange beams, the weight per foot is in the name: a W8x10 weighs 10 lb per foot and a W24x55 weighs 55 lb per foot. For HSS, angles and channels, look up the size in the calculator above.

How do I calculate the total weight of a steel beam?

Multiply the weight per foot by the length in feet, then by the quantity. A 30 foot W12x26 weighs 26 times 30, or 780 lb.

How much does steel plate weigh?

Carbon steel plate weighs about 40.8 lb per square foot per inch of thickness. A 4 by 8 foot sheet of 1/4 inch plate is 32 square feet times 10.2 lb, or about 326 lb.

Can I use these weights for structural design?

No. These are nominal weights for estimating, shipping and handling. Member sizes and connections should come from the engineer of record and the approved drawings.

Can Heartland Steel fabricate and deliver these shapes?

Yes. We fabricate structural steel and miscellaneous metals in our Woodway, Texas shop and deliver across Texas. Send your plans through our bid request page or call (254) 845-3001.

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