How do I convert W beam weight from lb/ft to kg/m?

Multiply lb/ft by 1.488. For example, W12×26 at 26 lb/ft equals 38.7 kg/m.

What is the difference between A36 and A572 Gr50 H beams?

ASTM A36 has a minimum yield of 36 ksi (250 MPa) and is used for general construction. ASTM A572 Gr50 has a minimum yield of 50 ksi (345 MPa), allowing lighter sections for the same load. A572 Gr50 is the most common structural grade for buildings and bridges in North America.

Which W beam sizes are most commonly stocked?

The most commonly stocked sizes are W6×9/12/15/20/25, W8×10/15/21/24/31/35, W10×12/15/22/30/45/54, W12×14/19/26/35/53/87, W14×22/30/38/53/68/90/120 and W16×26/36/57.

H Beam Size Chart: W4-W36 Complete Dimensions Table (AISC)

Q: How do I read a W beam designation like W12×26?

W stands for wide flange (H beam), the first number (12) is the nominal depth in inches, and the second number (26) is the weight in pounds per foot. So W12×26 is a 12-inch deep beam weighing 26 lb/ft (38.7 kg/m).

How to Read a W Beam Designation

American W beams (H beams) follow the AISC designation W [depth] × [weight]:

W12×26 = a wide-flange beam, 12 inches nominal depth, weighing 26 lb/ft (38.7 kg/m).

The actual depth varies slightly by size (W12 beams run 12.2"–12.5"), so always confirm exact mill dimensions before ordering. Below is the complete chart for the most commonly stocked and traded W4–W36 sizes with metric conversions.

W Beam Size Chart — W4 to W14 (Common Sizes)

Designation	Depth (in)	Depth (mm)	Flange Width (in/mm)	Web Thk (in/mm)	Flange Thk (in/mm)	Weight lb/ft	Weight kg/m
W4×13	4.16	106	4.06 / 103	0.28 / 7.1	0.345 / 8.8	13	19.3
W6×9	5.99	152	3.94 / 100	0.17 / 4.3	0.21 / 5.3	9	13.4
W6×12	6.03	153	4.03 / 102	0.23 / 5.9	0.28 / 7.1	12	17.9
W6×15	5.99	152	5.99 / 152	0.23 / 5.9	0.26 / 6.6	15	22.3
W6×20	6.20	157	6.02 / 153	0.26 / 6.6	0.365 / 9.3	20	29.8
W6×25	6.38	162	6.08 / 154	0.32 / 8.1	0.455 / 11.6	25	37.2
W8×10	7.89	200	3.94 / 100	0.17 / 4.3	0.205 / 5.2	10	14.9
W8×15	8.11	206	4.02 / 102	0.245 / 6.2	0.315 / 8.0	15	22.3
W8×18	8.14	207	5.25 / 133	0.23 / 5.8	0.33 / 8.4	18	26.8
W8×21	8.28	210	5.27 / 134	0.25 / 6.4	0.40 / 10.2	21	31.3
W8×24	7.93	201	6.50 / 165	0.245 / 6.2	0.40 / 10.2	24	35.7
W8×28	8.06	205	6.54 / 166	0.285 / 7.2	0.465 / 11.8	28	41.7
W8×31	8.00	203	8.00 / 203	0.285 / 7.2	0.435 / 11.0	31	46.1
W8×35	8.12	206	8.02 / 204	0.31 / 7.9	0.49 / 12.4	35	52.1
W10×12	9.87	251	3.96 / 101	0.19 / 4.8	0.21 / 5.3	12	17.9
W10×15	9.99	254	3.99 / 101	0.23 / 5.8	0.25 / 6.4	15	22.3
W10×22	10.17	258	5.75 / 146	0.24 / 6.1	0.36 / 9.1	22	32.8
W10×30	10.47	266	5.81 / 148	0.30 / 7.6	0.51 / 13.0	30	44.6
W10×45	10.10	257	8.02 / 204	0.35 / 8.9	0.62 / 15.7	45	67.0
W10×54	10.34	263	10.03 / 255	0.37 / 9.4	0.615 / 15.6	54	80.4
W12×14	11.91	303	3.97 / 101	0.20 / 5.1	0.225 / 5.7	14	20.8
W12×19	12.16	309	4.01 / 102	0.235 / 6.0	0.295 / 7.5	19	28.3
W12×26	12.22	310	6.49 / 165	0.23 / 5.8	0.38 / 9.7	26	38.7
W12×35	12.50	318	6.56 / 167	0.30 / 7.6	0.52 / 13.2	35	52.1
W12×53	12.25	311	12.25 / 311	0.345 / 8.8	0.575 / 14.6	53	78.9
W12×87	12.53	318	12.13 / 308	0.515 / 13.1	0.81 / 20.6	87	129.5
W14×22	13.74	349	5.00 / 127	0.23 / 5.8	0.335 / 8.5	22	32.8
W14×30	13.84	352	6.745 / 171	0.27 / 6.9	0.385 / 9.8	30	44.6
W14×38	14.10	358	6.77 / 172	0.31 / 7.9	0.455 / 11.6	38	56.6
W14×53	13.92	354	8.06 / 205	0.37 / 9.4	0.66 / 16.8	53	78.9
W14×68	14.04	357	10.02 / 255	0.415 / 10.5	0.72 / 18.3	68	101.2
W14×90	14.02	356	14.52 / 369	0.44 / 11.2	0.71 / 18.0	90	134.0
W14×120	14.48	368	14.67 / 373	0.59 / 15.0	0.94 / 23.9	120	178.6

W Beam Size Chart — W16 to W36 (Large Sizes)

Designation	Depth (in)	Depth (mm)	Flange Width (in/mm)	Web Thk (in/mm)	Flange Thk (in/mm)	Weight lb/ft	Weight kg/m
W16×26	15.69	399	5.50 / 140	0.25 / 6.4	0.345 / 8.8	26	38.7
W16×36	15.85	403	6.99 / 178	0.295 / 7.5	0.43 / 10.9	36	53.6
W16×57	16.43	417	7.12 / 181	0.43 / 10.9	0.715 / 18.2	57	84.8
W18×35	17.70	450	6.00 / 152	0.30 / 7.6	0.425 / 10.8	35	52.1
W18×60	18.24	463	7.56 / 192	0.415 / 10.5	0.695 / 17.7	60	89.3
W21×44	20.66	525	8.28 / 210	0.35 / 8.9	0.55 / 14.0	44	65.5
W21×73	21.24	539	8.75 / 222	0.455 / 11.6	0.865 / 22.0	73	108.6
W24×55	23.57	599	7.005 / 178	0.395 / 10.0	0.505 / 12.8	55	81.9
W24×94	24.31	617	9.06 / 230	0.515 / 13.1	0.875 / 22.2	94	139.9
W27×94	26.71	678	9.99 / 254	0.49 / 12.4	0.745 / 18.9	94	139.9
W30×90	29.53	750	10.40 / 264	0.47 / 11.9	0.61 / 15.5	90	134.0
W33×118	32.86	835	11.48 / 292	0.575 / 14.6	0.735 / 18.7	118	175.6
W36×135	35.55	903	11.95 / 304	0.60 / 15.2	0.675 / 17.1	135	200.9
W36×150	35.85	911	12.07 / 307	0.625 / 15.9	0.75 / 19.0	150	223.2
W36×231	36.46	926	16.47 / 418	0.87 / 22.1	1.26 / 32.0	231	343.8

Dimensions per AISC Steel Construction Manual. Mill tolerances apply per ASTM A6. Contact us for sizes not listed — we supply the full W4–W36 range.

Metric Equivalents: IPE, HEA, HEB vs W Beams

European Series	Standard	Common Sizes	Closest W Series Match
IPE 100–600	EN 10034	IPE 140, 180, 200, 240, 300, 360, 400, 450, 500	W6–W12 (similar depth, narrower flange)
HEA 100–600	EN 10034	HEA 140, 180, 200, 240, 300, 360, 400	W8–W14 (wide flange)
HEB 100–600	EN 10034	HEB 140, 180, 200, 240, 300, 360, 400	W10–W14 (heavier sections)

A36 vs A572 Gr50: Which Grade for Your Project?

Property	ASTM A36	ASTM A572 Gr50
Minimum yield strength	36 ksi (250 MPa)	50 ksi (345 MPa)
Tensile strength	58–80 ksi (400–550 MPa)	65 ksi (450 MPa) min
Best for	General construction, light frames, bolting	Bridges, heavy structures, weight-sensitive design
Weldability	Excellent	Good (low-carbon, fine-grain)
Relative price	Base	~5–10% higher

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I read a W beam designation like W12×26?

W = wide flange (H beam). The first number (12) is the nominal depth in inches; the second (26) is the weight in pounds per foot. W12×26 = 12-inch deep beam at 26 lb/ft (38.7 kg/m).

How do I convert lb/ft to kg/m?

Multiply by 1.488. Example: W12×26 at 26 lb/ft = 38.7 kg/m. Our team quotes in both imperial and metric.

Which sizes are most commonly stocked?

The most traded sizes are W6×9/12/15/20/25, W8×10–35, W10×12–54, W12×14–87 and W14×22–120. Heavier W16–W36 sizes are rolled to order with 20–30 day lead times.

Can you supply IPE, HEA, HEB equivalents?

Yes — we supply the full IPE, HEA and HEB range under EN 10034 in S235JR–S355JR, and can cross-match W-series equivalents for your design.

H Beam Size Chart: W4–W36 Complete Dimensions Table