Selected shape
Interactive I-Beam Size Diagram
The designation gives a nominal series; use the displayed d for actual tabulated depth.
- Designation
- W8×24
- Weight W
- 24.0 lb/ft
- Area A
- 7.08 in²
- Overall depth d
- 7.93 in
- Flange width b_f
- 6.50 in
- Web thickness t_w
- 0.245 in
- Flange thickness t_f
- 0.400 in
- Strong-axis inertia I_x
- 82.7 in⁴
- Strong-axis elastic section modulus S_x
- 20.9 in³
- Weak-axis radius r_y
- 1.61 in
Geometry is not capacity
Dimensions and geometric properties only—not beam capacity or a safe-size recommendation. Verify the current AISC source, applicable code, material grade, tolerances, availability, loads, supports, unbraced length, stability, serviceability, connections, and project requirements.
51-shape excerpt
Selected AISC I-Beam Size Chart (W Shapes)
Search a designation, filter a nominal depth series, sort a property, or select up to four rows for comparison.
At small widths, scroll inside the table to see more columns. Select a designation to update the diagram.
No included W shapes match this search. Clear the search or choose another depth series.
Scroll horizontally to view additional columns and vertically to view additional rows. Column headers remain visible while scrolling.
| Identification | Weight & area | Cross-section dimensions | Strong-axis properties | Weak-axis property | Action | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compare | lb/ft | in² | in | in | in | in | in⁴ | in³ | in | Copy | |
| W4×13 | 13.0 | 3.83 | 4.16 | 4.06 | 0.280 | 0.345 | 11.3 | 5.46 | 1.00 | ||
| W6×9 | 9.00 | 2.68 | 5.90 | 3.94 | 0.170 | 0.215 | 16.4 | 5.56 | 0.905 | ||
| W6×12 | 12.0 | 3.55 | 6.03 | 4.00 | 0.230 | 0.280 | 22.1 | 7.31 | 0.918 | ||
| W6×15 | 15.0 | 4.43 | 5.99 | 5.99 | 0.230 | 0.260 | 29.1 | 9.72 | 1.45 | ||
| W6×20 | 20.0 | 5.87 | 6.20 | 6.02 | 0.260 | 0.365 | 41.4 | 13.4 | 1.50 | ||
| W6×25 | 25.0 | 7.34 | 6.38 | 6.08 | 0.320 | 0.455 | 53.4 | 16.7 | 1.52 | ||
| W8×10 | 10.0 | 2.96 | 7.89 | 3.94 | 0.170 | 0.205 | 30.8 | 7.81 | 0.841 | ||
| W8×15 | 15.0 | 4.44 | 8.11 | 4.02 | 0.245 | 0.315 | 48.0 | 11.8 | 0.876 | ||
| W8×18 | 18.0 | 5.26 | 8.14 | 5.25 | 0.230 | 0.330 | 61.9 | 15.2 | 1.23 | ||
| W8×21 | 21.0 | 6.16 | 8.28 | 5.27 | 0.250 | 0.400 | 75.3 | 18.2 | 1.26 | ||
| W8×24 | 24.0 | 7.08 | 7.93 | 6.50 | 0.245 | 0.400 | 82.7 | 20.9 | 1.61 | ||
| W8×31 | 31.0 | 9.13 | 8.00 | 8.00 | 0.285 | 0.435 | 110 | 27.5 | 2.02 | ||
| W8×35 | 35.0 | 10.3 | 8.12 | 8.02 | 0.310 | 0.495 | 127 | 31.2 | 2.03 | ||
| W8×40 | 40.0 | 11.7 | 8.25 | 8.07 | 0.360 | 0.560 | 146 | 35.5 | 2.04 | ||
| W10×12 | 12.0 | 3.54 | 9.87 | 3.96 | 0.190 | 0.210 | 53.8 | 10.9 | 0.785 | ||
| W10×15 | 15.0 | 4.41 | 9.99 | 4.00 | 0.230 | 0.270 | 68.9 | 13.8 | 0.810 | ||
| W10×19 | 19.0 | 5.62 | 10.2 | 4.02 | 0.250 | 0.395 | 96.3 | 18.8 | 0.874 | ||
| W10×22 | 22.0 | 6.49 | 10.2 | 5.75 | 0.240 | 0.360 | 118 | 23.2 | 1.33 | ||
| W10×26 | 26.0 | 7.61 | 10.3 | 5.77 | 0.260 | 0.440 | 144 | 27.9 | 1.36 | ||
| W10×30 | 30.0 | 8.84 | 10.5 | 5.81 | 0.300 | 0.510 | 170 | 32.4 | 1.37 | ||
| W12×14 | 14.0 | 4.16 | 11.9 | 3.97 | 0.200 | 0.225 | 88.6 | 14.9 | 0.753 | ||
| W12×16 | 16.0 | 4.71 | 12.0 | 3.99 | 0.220 | 0.265 | 103 | 17.1 | 0.773 | ||
| W12×19 | 19.0 | 5.57 | 12.2 | 4.01 | 0.235 | 0.350 | 130 | 21.3 | 0.822 | ||
| W12×22 | 22.0 | 6.48 | 12.3 | 4.03 | 0.260 | 0.425 | 156 | 25.4 | 0.848 | ||
| W12×26 | 26.0 | 7.65 | 12.2 | 6.49 | 0.230 | 0.380 | 204 | 33.4 | 1.51 | ||
| W12×30 | 30.0 | 8.79 | 12.3 | 6.52 | 0.260 | 0.440 | 238 | 38.6 | 1.52 | ||
| W12×35 | 35.0 | 10.3 | 12.5 | 6.56 | 0.300 | 0.520 | 285 | 45.6 | 1.54 | ||
| W12×40 | 40.0 | 11.7 | 11.9 | 8.01 | 0.295 | 0.515 | 307 | 51.5 | 1.94 | ||
| W12×50 | 50.0 | 14.6 | 12.2 | 8.08 | 0.370 | 0.640 | 391 | 64.2 | 1.96 | ||
| W14×22 | 22.0 | 6.49 | 13.7 | 5.00 | 0.230 | 0.335 | 199 | 29.0 | 1.04 | ||
| W14×26 | 26.0 | 7.69 | 13.9 | 5.03 | 0.255 | 0.420 | 245 | 35.3 | 1.08 | ||
| W14×30 | 30.0 | 8.85 | 13.8 | 6.73 | 0.270 | 0.385 | 291 | 42.0 | 1.49 | ||
| W14×34 | 34.0 | 10.0 | 14.0 | 6.75 | 0.285 | 0.455 | 340 | 48.6 | 1.53 | ||
| W14×38 | 38.0 | 11.2 | 14.1 | 6.77 | 0.310 | 0.515 | 385 | 54.6 | 1.55 | ||
| W14×43 | 43.0 | 12.6 | 13.7 | 8.00 | 0.305 | 0.530 | 428 | 62.6 | 1.89 | ||
| W14×53 | 53.0 | 15.6 | 13.9 | 8.06 | 0.370 | 0.660 | 541 | 77.8 | 1.92 | ||
| W16×26 | 26.0 | 7.68 | 15.7 | 5.50 | 0.250 | 0.345 | 301 | 38.4 | 1.12 | ||
| W16×31 | 31.0 | 9.13 | 15.9 | 5.53 | 0.275 | 0.440 | 375 | 47.2 | 1.17 | ||
| W16×36 | 36.0 | 10.6 | 15.9 | 6.99 | 0.295 | 0.430 | 448 | 56.5 | 1.52 | ||
| W16×40 | 40.0 | 11.8 | 16.0 | 7.00 | 0.305 | 0.505 | 518 | 64.7 | 1.57 | ||
| W18×35 | 35.0 | 10.3 | 17.7 | 6.00 | 0.300 | 0.425 | 510 | 57.6 | 1.22 | ||
| W18×40 | 40.0 | 11.8 | 17.9 | 6.02 | 0.315 | 0.525 | 612 | 68.4 | 1.27 | ||
| W18×46 | 46.0 | 13.5 | 18.1 | 6.06 | 0.360 | 0.605 | 712 | 78.8 | 1.29 | ||
| W18×50 | 50.0 | 14.7 | 18.0 | 7.50 | 0.355 | 0.570 | 800 | 88.9 | 1.65 | ||
| W18×60 | 60.0 | 17.6 | 18.2 | 7.56 | 0.415 | 0.695 | 984 | 108 | 1.68 | ||
| W21×44 | 44.0 | 13.0 | 20.7 | 6.50 | 0.350 | 0.450 | 843 | 81.6 | 1.26 | ||
| W21×50 | 50.0 | 14.7 | 20.8 | 6.53 | 0.380 | 0.535 | 984 | 94.5 | 1.30 | ||
| W21×62 | 62.0 | 18.3 | 21.0 | 8.24 | 0.400 | 0.615 | 1330 | 127 | 1.77 | ||
| W24×55 | 55.0 | 16.2 | 23.6 | 7.01 | 0.395 | 0.505 | 1350 | 114 | 1.34 | ||
| W24×62 | 62.0 | 18.2 | 23.7 | 7.04 | 0.430 | 0.590 | 1550 | 131 | 1.38 | ||
| W24×76 | 76.0 | 22.4 | 23.9 | 8.99 | 0.440 | 0.680 | 2100 | 176 | 1.92 | ||
W8×24 means W family, nominal 8-inch depth series, and nominal 24 lb/ft weight; actual dimensions come from the row. Values retain official workbook precision. This limited excerpt omits other W shapes and all S, M, HP, WT, and other families. No CSV or bulk export is provided. Verify current source values, mill tolerances, availability, material grade, and design requirements before specifying or purchasing steel.
One property at a time
Compare Selected W Shapes
The chart compares geometry only; it does not rank strength or suitability.
Select one to four visible rows to compare.
I-Beam Dimensions Are Not Beam Capacity
Section geometry is only one input to structural design. Capacity and serviceability depend on steel grade, load combinations, span and supports, unbraced length, local and lateral-torsional buckling, shear, deflection, vibration, holes, connections, fire and corrosion exposure, tolerances, product availability, and the adopted code. Use a complete code-based analysis by a qualified professional for an actual project.
How to Read an I-Beam Size Chart
W8×24 identifies the wide-flange family, a nominal 8-inch depth series, and nominal weight of 24 lb/ft. Its tabulated overall depth is 7.93 in—not exactly 8 in.
- W and A
- Weight per length and cross-sectional area.
- d, bf, tw, tf
- Overall depth, flange width, web thickness, and flange thickness.
- Ix and Sx
- Strong-axis second moment of area and elastic section modulus.
- ry
- Weak-axis radius of gyration, a geometric stability parameter—not a capacity.
The x-axis is the strong bending axis for the listed W shapes; the y-axis is the weak axis. See Moment of Inertia for property meaning and equations.
W Beam vs I Beam, S Beam, M Shape, and HP Shape
| Term | Meaning | Included here? |
|---|---|---|
| I beam | Common descriptive term for an I-shaped cross-section; not one specific AISC family. | Only selected W shapes |
| W shape | Wide-flange shape with nominally parallel flange surfaces. | Yes—51 selected rows |
| S shape | American Standard beam with sloped inner flange surfaces. | No |
| M shape | Miscellaneous I-shaped member that does not fit W, S, or HP definitions. | No |
| HP shape | Bearing-pile shape with near-equal depth and flange width. | No |
Worked Lookup: W8×24 vs W10×30
Using the AISC v16.0 U.S. columns, W8×24 has d = 7.93 in, bf = 6.50 in, W = 24 lb/ft, and Ix = 82.7 in⁴. W10×30 has d = 10.5 in, bf = 5.81 in, W = 30 lb/ft, and Ix = 170 in⁴.
Geometric inertia ratio: 170 ÷ 82.7 ≈ 2.06
The W10×30 has about 2.06 times the listed strong-axis inertia, but that ratio does not prove strength, deflection compliance, stability, connection adequacy, or suitability. Those checks require actual loads, span, supports, bracing, material, and code criteria.
How the Data and Unit Switching Work
Values come from the “Database v16.0” worksheet in AISC Shapes Database v16.0. The page matches the locked AISC manual labels and reads the official W, A, d, bf, tw, tf, Ix, Sx, and ry fields from both the U.S. and paired metric column blocks.
- The source label X is displayed as ×; it is not a mathematical conversion.
- Unit switching selects the paired official workbook value. It never converts a rounded display value or accumulates rounding.
- Displayed precision follows the workbook cell precision. Matching and sorting use the canonical source numbers.
- No interpolation, extrapolation, nearest-size substitution, capacity calculation, or full-database reconstruction is performed.
Source Scope, Rights, and Revision Notes
Selected AISC W-Shape Reference 2.0 — 51 locked rows from AISC Shapes Database v16.0, August 2023.
This page is an attributed educational excerpt. It is not the complete AISC database, does not imply AISC endorsement, and does not replace professional verification against the current source and applicable code.
- AISC Shapes Database v16.0Official database page for dimensions and properties consistent with the Steel Construction Manual, 16th Edition, 1st Printing.
- AISC Shapes Database v16.0 workbookAugust 2023 workbook; values use the “Database v16.0” U.S. and metric column blocks.
- ANSI/AISC 360-22, Specification for Structural Steel BuildingsReferenced only to establish that structural design requires more than section geometry.
- AISC Copyright PermissionsSupports the conservative limited-excerpt and no-bulk-download approach.
Dataset and Source-Check Details
- Primary source
- AISC Shapes Database v16.0
- Worksheet
- Database v16.0
- Fields
- W, A, d, bf, tw, tf, Ix, Sx, ry
- Units
- Official U.S. and metric column pairs
- Excluded
- All unlisted W shapes and all S, M, HP, WT, and other families
- Rights/download
- Limited attributed excerpt; no CSV or bulk export
- Source checked
- August 9, 2026
- Publisher
- Turn2Engineering
I Beam Size Chart FAQs
W identifies the wide-flange family, 8 is the nominal depth series in inches, and 24 is nominal weight in pounds per foot. The actual dimensions come from the row.
A W shape has an I-shaped cross-section and is often called an I beam, but the standardized AISC W and S families have different flange geometry and designations.
The first designation number identifies a nominal depth series. The published d value is the actual tabulated overall depth for that shape.
No. Section geometry is input data; safe selection requires complete code-based strength, stability, serviceability, connection, and project review.
This page intentionally uses a limited educational excerpt because the official compiled database is rights-sensitive. Obtain the complete current workbook directly from AISC.
I Beam Size Chart Summary
- Confirm the exact W-shape designation.
- Read actual dimensions rather than assuming the nominal series is exact.
- Keep one unit system active and use the property for the correct axis.
- Verify current source data, material, availability, loads, stability, serviceability, connections, and code requirements separately.
For a defined loading model, continue to the Beam Calculator; treat its result as analysis support, not final design approval.