Reference Guide

Structural Steel Shapes Reference Guide

A comprehensive reference for structural steel shape designations, properties, and common uses

Last updated: February 2026•Reference Guide

Structural steel shapes are standardized cross-sections manufactured by rolling or forming steel into specific profiles. Each shape is designated by a letter prefix (W, HSS, L, C, etc.) followed by dimensions that describe its geometry. Understanding these designations is essential for reading structural drawings, verifying member sizes, and coordinating steel framing with other building systems.

Reading Steel Designations: The designation tells you the shape type, nominal depth, and weight per foot (for rolled shapes) or dimensions and wall thickness (for HSS). For example, W12×26 is a wide flange that is nominally 12" deep and weighs 26 pounds per linear foot.

Steel Shape Types

W (Wide Flange)
W12×26
Beams, columns, girders — the most versatile and common structural shape
Designation Meaning
W = wide flange, 12 = nominal depth in inches, 26 = weight in lbs per linear foot
Profile
I-shaped with parallel flanges of equal width
Standard Grade
A992 (Fy = 50 ksi) standard for W shapes
HSS Rectangular
HSS8×4×3/8
Columns, braces, exposed framing, trusses — good for compression and bi-axial bending
Designation Meaning
HSS = hollow structural section, 8" × 4" outer dimensions, 3/8" wall thickness
Profile
Rectangular hollow tube with rounded corners
Standard Grade
A500 Grade C (Fy = 50 ksi) or A1085 (Fy = 50 ksi)
HSS Round (Pipe)
HSS6.625×0.280
Columns, handrail posts, truss members, exposed architectural steel
Designation Meaning
HSS = hollow structural section, 6.625" outer diameter, 0.280" wall thickness
Profile
Circular hollow tube
Standard Grade
A500 Grade C (Fy = 46 ksi) or A53 Grade B for pipe
L (Angle)
L4×3×3/8
Bracing, lintels, shelf angles, connections, stair stringers
Designation Meaning
L = angle, 4" long leg × 3" short leg × 3/8" thickness
Profile
L-shaped with two perpendicular legs
Standard Grade
A36 (Fy = 36 ksi) standard
C (Channel)
C12×20.7
Stair stringers, light framing, built-up sections, struts
Designation Meaning
C = channel, 12" depth, 20.7 lbs per foot
Profile
U-shaped with flanges on one side only
Standard Grade
A36 (Fy = 36 ksi) standard
MC (Miscellaneous Channel)
MC8×22.8
Similar to standard channels, available in additional sizes
Designation Meaning
MC = miscellaneous channel, 8" depth, 22.8 lbs per foot
Profile
Similar to C but different flange proportions
Standard Grade
A36 (Fy = 36 ksi) standard
WT (Structural Tee)
WT6×13
Truss chords, hanger connections, moment arm supports
Designation Meaning
WT = structural tee, 6" depth, 13 lbs per foot (cut from W12×26)
Profile
T-shaped — half of a wide flange cut along the web
Standard Grade
A992 (Fy = 50 ksi) — same as parent W shape
PL (Plate)
PL 3/4×12
Base plates, stiffeners, gusset plates, connection elements
Designation Meaning
PL = plate, 3/4" thick × 12" wide
Profile
Flat rectangular section
Standard Grade
A36 (Fy = 36 ksi) or A572 Gr 50 (Fy = 50 ksi)

Common W Shape Sizes

Wide flange (W) shapes are the workhorse of steel construction. Beam sizes are selected for depth to minimize weight while meeting deflection limits. Column sizes use "square" sections (W14 column series) where flange width roughly equals depth. The connection type at each beam end affects the structural behavior of the frame.

Size
W8×10
Depth
7.89"
Weight
10 lb/ft
Flange
3.94" wide
Use
Light beams, purlins, girts
Size
W10×22
Depth
10.2"
Weight
22 lb/ft
Flange
5.75" wide
Use
Light floor beams, transfer beams in light structures
Size
W12×26
Depth
12.2"
Weight
26 lb/ft
Flange
6.49" wide
Use
Standard floor beams, infill beams
Size
W14×22
Depth
13.7"
Weight
22 lb/ft
Flange
5.00" wide
Use
Floor beams where depth is available
Size
W16×31
Depth
15.9"
Weight
31 lb/ft
Flange
5.53" wide
Use
Medium-span floor beams
Size
W18×35
Depth
17.7"
Weight
35 lb/ft
Flange
6.00" wide
Use
Long-span floor beams, girders
Size
W21×44
Depth
20.7"
Weight
44 lb/ft
Flange
6.50" wide
Use
Long-span girders, transfer beams
Size
W24×55
Depth
23.6"
Weight
55 lb/ft
Flange
7.01" wide
Use
Heavy girders, long-span beams
Size
W14×90
Depth
14.0"
Weight
90 lb/ft
Flange
14.5" wide
Use
Columns — equal depth and flange width
Size
W14×176
Depth
15.2"
Weight
176 lb/ft
Flange
15.7" wide
Use
Heavy columns in multi-story buildings

Steel Grades

Steel grade specifies the yield strength (Fy) and tensile strength (Fu) of the material. The grade must match the structural engineer's design assumptions. These grades are commonly referenced using structural abbreviations on the drawings.

Grade
A36
Fy (Yield)
36 ksi
Fu (Tensile)
58 ksi
Use
Plates, angles, channels, miscellaneous shapes
Grade
A572 Gr 50
Fy (Yield)
50 ksi
Fu (Tensile)
65 ksi
Use
High-strength plates, angles, channels where A36 is insufficient
Grade
A992
Fy (Yield)
50 ksi
Fu (Tensile)
65 ksi
Use
Wide flange shapes (W) — the standard grade for structural beams and columns
Grade
A500 Gr C
Fy (Yield)
50 ksi (rect) / 46 ksi (round)
Fu (Tensile)
62 ksi
Use
HSS rectangular and round tubes
Grade
A1085
Fy (Yield)
50 ksi
Fu (Tensile)
65 ksi
Use
Premium HSS with tighter tolerances and enhanced properties
Grade
A514
Fy (Yield)
100 ksi
Fu (Tensile)
110 ksi
Use
High-strength quenched and tempered plate for specialized applications

Related Resources

Steel Connection Types
Visual guide to shear, moment, and bracing connections.
Structural Abbreviations
Decode structural engineering abbreviations on drawings.
How to Read Structural Drawings
Complete guide to structural plan interpretation.
Structural Plan Symbols
Visual reference for structural drawing symbols.
Shop Drawing Review Tips
Best practices for reviewing structural steel shop drawings.
AI vs. Manual Drawing Review
How AI-assisted structural review compares to traditional methods.

Automate Steel Drawing Review

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Sources

AISC Steel Construction Manual, 16th Edition

AISC 360-22 — Specification for Structural Steel Buildings

ASTM A6 — Standard Specification for Rolled Structural Steel Shapes