Steel Channel Sizes: C-Channel Dimensions and Weight Chart
Steel channel sizes describe the depth and weight of a channel-shaped steel section. For American Standard C channels, a designation such as C6 × 8.2 means a nominal depth of 6 inches and a weight of 8.2 pounds per foot.
Use the chart below to compare US C-channel dimensions and unit weights. Use the separate inch and millimeter charts to match your drawing units, and refer to the section sketch to identify each dimension.
How to Read a C-Channel Size
In C6 × 8.2, the letter C identifies the American Standard channel family. The numbers tell you:
- 6: nominal section depth in inches.
- 8.2: nominal unit weight in lb/ft.
Channels with the same depth can have different flange widths and web thicknesses. For example, C6 × 8.2 and C6 × 13 both belong to the 6-inch series, but their dimensions and weights differ. Do not select a channel from the depth alone.
C-Channel Cross-Section: What the Dimensions Mean
- d — Depth: overall top-to-bottom section dimension; the chart lists nominal series depths.
- bf — Flange width: overall width from the outside back of the web to the flange tip.
- tw — Web thickness: thickness of the connecting web.
Flange width includes the web thickness. It is not just the flange projection beyond the web. Flange thickness is not shown in this quick-reference chart; consult the full section data when it is needed for detailing.
Steel Channel Sizes and Weight Chart
This chart covers 30 selected American Standard C sections from C3 through C15. The inch chart comes first, followed by the same sections in millimeters. Section names remain in the US designation format in both charts.
American Standard Steel Channels
INCH Chart — dimensions in inches · weight in lb/ft
| Section | Nominal depth (in) | Flange width bf (in) | Web tw (in) | Weight (lb/ft) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C3 × 4.1 | 3.000 | 1.410 | 0.170 | 4.1 |
| C3 × 5 | 3.000 | 1.498 | 0.258 | 5 |
| C3 × 6 | 3.000 | 1.596 | 0.356 | 6 |
| C4 × 5.4 | 4.000 | 1.584 | 0.184 | 5.4 |
| C4 × 6.25 | 4.000 | 1.647 | 0.247 | 6.25 |
| C4 × 7.25 | 4.000 | 1.721 | 0.321 | 7.25 |
| C5 × 6.7 | 5.000 | 1.750 | 0.190 | 6.7 |
| C5 × 9 | 5.000 | 1.885 | 0.325 | 9 |
| C6 × 8.2 | 6.000 | 1.920 | 0.200 | 8.2 |
| C6 × 10.5 | 6.000 | 2.034 | 0.314 | 10.5 |
| C6 × 13 | 6.000 | 2.157 | 0.437 | 13 |
| C7 × 9.8 | 7.000 | 2.090 | 0.210 | 9.8 |
| C7 × 12.25 | 7.000 | 2.194 | 0.314 | 12.25 |
| C7 × 14.75 | 7.000 | 2.299 | 0.419 | 14.75 |
| C8 × 11.5 | 8.000 | 2.260 | 0.220 | 11.5 |
| C8 × 13.75 | 8.000 | 2.343 | 0.303 | 13.75 |
| C8 × 18.75 | 8.000 | 2.527 | 0.487 | 18.75 |
| C9 × 13.4 | 9.000 | 2.433 | 0.233 | 13.4 |
| C9 × 15 | 9.000 | 2.485 | 0.285 | 15 |
| C9 × 20 | 9.000 | 2.648 | 0.448 | 20 |
| C10 × 15.3 | 10.000 | 2.600 | 0.240 | 15.3 |
| C10 × 20 | 10.000 | 2.739 | 0.379 | 20 |
| C10 × 25 | 10.000 | 2.886 | 0.526 | 25 |
| C10 × 30 | 10.000 | 3.033 | 0.673 | 30 |
| C12 × 20.7 | 12.000 | 2.942 | 0.282 | 20.7 |
| C12 × 25 | 12.000 | 3.047 | 0.387 | 25 |
| C12 × 30 | 12.000 | 3.170 | 0.510 | 30 |
| C15 × 33.9 | 15.000 | 3.400 | 0.400 | 33.9 |
| C15 × 40 | 15.000 | 3.520 | 0.520 | 40 |
| C15 × 50 | 15.000 | 3.716 | 0.716 | 50 |
American Standard Steel Channels
MM Chart — dimensions in millimeters · weight in kg/m
| Section | Nominal depth (mm) | Flange width bf (mm) | Web tw (mm) | Weight (kg/m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C3 × 4.1 | 76.20 | 35.81 | 4.32 | 6.10 |
| C3 × 5 | 76.20 | 38.05 | 6.55 | 7.44 |
| C3 × 6 | 76.20 | 40.54 | 9.04 | 8.93 |
| C4 × 5.4 | 101.60 | 40.23 | 4.67 | 8.04 |
| C4 × 6.25 | 101.60 | 41.83 | 6.27 | 9.30 |
| C4 × 7.25 | 101.60 | 43.71 | 8.15 | 10.79 |
| C5 × 6.7 | 127.00 | 44.45 | 4.83 | 9.97 |
| C5 × 9 | 127.00 | 47.88 | 8.25 | 13.39 |
| C6 × 8.2 | 152.40 | 48.77 | 5.08 | 12.20 |
| C6 × 10.5 | 152.40 | 51.66 | 7.98 | 15.63 |
| C6 × 13 | 152.40 | 54.79 | 11.10 | 19.35 |
| C7 × 9.8 | 177.80 | 53.09 | 5.33 | 14.58 |
| C7 × 12.25 | 177.80 | 55.73 | 7.98 | 18.23 |
| C7 × 14.75 | 177.80 | 58.39 | 10.64 | 21.95 |
| C8 × 11.5 | 203.20 | 57.40 | 5.59 | 17.11 |
| C8 × 13.75 | 203.20 | 59.51 | 7.70 | 20.46 |
| C8 × 18.75 | 203.20 | 64.19 | 12.37 | 27.90 |
| C9 × 13.4 | 228.60 | 61.80 | 5.92 | 19.94 |
| C9 × 15 | 228.60 | 63.12 | 7.24 | 22.32 |
| C9 × 20 | 228.60 | 67.26 | 11.38 | 29.76 |
| C10 × 15.3 | 254.00 | 66.04 | 6.10 | 22.77 |
| C10 × 20 | 254.00 | 69.57 | 9.63 | 29.76 |
| C10 × 25 | 254.00 | 73.30 | 13.36 | 37.20 |
| C10 × 30 | 254.00 | 77.04 | 17.09 | 44.64 |
| C12 × 20.7 | 304.80 | 74.73 | 7.16 | 30.80 |
| C12 × 25 | 304.80 | 77.39 | 9.83 | 37.20 |
| C12 × 30 | 304.80 | 80.52 | 12.95 | 44.64 |
| C15 × 33.9 | 381.00 | 86.36 | 10.16 | 50.45 |
| C15 × 40 | 381.00 | 89.41 | 13.21 | 59.53 |
| C15 × 50 | 381.00 | 94.39 | 18.19 | 74.41 |
The same US sections are shown in both charts. Metric values are rounded to two decimal places; rounding does not imply tighter manufacturing tolerances.
Source: Advantage Metal Services channel chart for imperial flange widths, web thicknesses, and unit weights. Nominal depths follow the section designations. Metric values are conversions of these US sections, not separate metric channel sizes. Dimensions are nominal reference values; confirm section data, tolerances, and availability before ordering or detailing.
What the Weight Column Means
The weight column gives the channel’s nominal weight per unit length: pounds per foot in the inch chart and kilograms per meter in the mm chart. It describes the channel itself and does not include connection plates, bolts, or coatings. It is not the load the channel can carry.
C Channel vs. MC Channel vs. Cold-Formed Channel
- C channel: an American Standard hot-rolled channel with tapered inner flange surfaces.
- MC channel: a miscellaneous channel series with a different range of proportions. Use its specific section data; an MC section is not automatically a substitute for a C section.
- Cold-formed channel: a section formed from sheet or strip, often with thin walls and sometimes with lips. Its dimensions and properties must come from the applicable product data.
Also distinguish the section designation from the material grade. “C6 × 8.2” specifies a section size; the project documents must separately specify the required steel grade.
Before You Choose a Steel Channel
Check the full designation, orientation, material grade, connection clearances, and required length. A heavier section at the same depth can also be wider, which matters at bolt lines and tight connections.
This is a dimensions and weight chart, not a load-capacity chart. Structural selection requires the loads, span, supports, bracing, and applicable design checks. Channel orientation and load position also matter because an open channel can twist under eccentric loading.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does C10 × 15.3 mean?
It is an American Standard C channel with a nominal depth of 10 inches and a unit weight of 15.3 lb/ft. In this chart, its flange width is 2.600 inches and its web thickness is 0.240 inches.
Are all 6-inch channels the same width?
No. C6 × 8.2 has a flange width of 1.920 inches, while C6 × 13 has a flange width of 2.157 inches. Always use the complete section designation.
Are the inch and mm charts different channel sizes?
No. Both charts list the same US sections. Only the units differ. For example, C6 × 8.2 has a nominal depth of 6 inches, shown as 152.40 mm in the metric chart.
Where can I find full engineering properties?
Use the AISC Shapes Database for full section properties and verify the appropriate edition for your project. Confirm current stock and product requirements with your supplier.
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