What standard covers US W-shapes?

Dimensions follow ASTM A6 / the AISC Manual; design is to the AISC Specification (ANSI/AISC 360). Most building wide-flange shapes are ASTM A992 steel.

What grade is a US W-shape?

Building W-shapes are usually ASTM A992, with a yield stress of 50 ksi (about 345 MPa) and a tensile strength of 65 ksi.

How do I read W12x26?

The first number is nominal depth in inches (~12 in) and the second is mass in pounds per foot (26 lb/ft); the actual depth differs slightly from nominal.

United States steel sections

AISC (W shapes) · 48 sections

US wide-flange (W) shapes are the standard structural I-section, tabulated in the AISC Steel Construction Manual and rolled to ASTM A6. The single W family serves both beams and columns across a wide range of depths and proportions.

AISC designations give nominal depth in inches and mass in pounds per foot (for example W12x26). The same physical sections are also listed in metric by Canada (CISC).

Families

W Shapes

48 sizes

Frequently asked

What standard covers US W-shapes?: Dimensions follow ASTM A6 / the AISC Manual; design is to the AISC Specification (ANSI/AISC 360). Most building wide-flange shapes are ASTM A992 steel.
What grade is a US W-shape?: Building W-shapes are usually ASTM A992, with a yield stress of 50 ksi (about 345 MPa) and a tensile strength of 65 ksi.
How do I read W12x26?: The first number is nominal depth in inches (~12 in) and the second is mass in pounds per foot (26 lb/ft); the actual depth differs slightly from nominal.