AISC C-Shapes: Dimensions and Section Properties
Browse AISC American standard channels by depth and weight. Compare dimensions and section properties in imperial or metric units.
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AISC Shapes Database v16.0 · 2,299 sections
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Showing the most relevant 75 sections.
| Designation | Weight (lb/ft) | Depth, d (in) | Flange width, bf (in) | Area (in²) | Ix (in⁴) | Sx (in³) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C15x33.9 | 33.9 | 15 | 3.4 | 10 | 315 | 42 |
| C15x40 | 40 | 15 | 3.52 | 11.8 | 348 | 46.5 |
| C15x50 | 50 | 15 | 3.72 | 14.7 | 404 | 53.8 |
| C12x20.7 | 20.7 | 12 | 2.94 | 6.08 | 129 | 21.5 |
| C12x25 | 25 | 12 | 3.05 | 7.34 | 144 | 24 |
| C12x30 | 30 | 12 | 3.17 | 8.81 | 162 | 27 |
| C10x15.3 | 15.3 | 10 | 2.6 | 4.48 | 67.3 | 13.5 |
| C10x20 | 20 | 10 | 2.74 | 5.87 | 78.9 | 15.8 |
| C10x25 | 25 | 10 | 2.89 | 7.35 | 91.1 | 18.2 |
| C10x30 | 30 | 10 | 3.03 | 8.81 | 103 | 20.7 |
| C9x13.4 | 13.4 | 9 | 2.43 | 3.94 | 47.8 | 10.6 |
| C9x15 | 15 | 9 | 2.49 | 4.4 | 51 | 11.3 |
| C9x20 | 20 | 9 | 2.65 | 5.87 | 60.9 | 13.5 |
| C8x11.5 | 11.5 | 8 | 2.26 | 3.37 | 32.5 | 8.14 |
| C8x13.75 | 13.75 | 8 | 2.34 | 4.03 | 36.1 | 9.02 |
| C8x18.75 | 18.75 | 8 | 2.53 | 5.51 | 43.9 | 11 |
| C7x9.8 | 9.8 | 7 | 2.09 | 2.87 | 21.2 | 6.07 |
| C7x12.25 | 12.25 | 7 | 2.19 | 3.59 | 24.2 | 6.92 |
| C7x14.75 | 14.75 | 7 | 2.3 | 4.33 | 27.2 | 7.78 |
| C6x8.2 | 8.2 | 6 | 1.92 | 2.39 | 13.1 | 4.35 |
| C6x10.5 | 10.5 | 6 | 2.03 | 3.07 | 15.1 | 5.04 |
| C6x13 | 13 | 6 | 2.16 | 3.82 | 17.3 | 5.78 |
| C5x6.7 | 6.7 | 5 | 1.75 | 1.97 | 7.48 | 2.99 |
| C5x9 | 9 | 5 | 1.89 | 2.64 | 8.89 | 3.56 |
| C4x4.5 | 4.5 | 4 | 1.52 | 1.34 | 3.53 | 1.77 |
| C4x5.4 | 5.4 | 4 | 1.58 | 1.58 | 3.85 | 1.92 |
| C4x6.25 | 6.25 | 4 | 1.65 | 1.84 | 4.19 | 2.1 |
| C4x7.25 | 7.25 | 4 | 1.72 | 2.13 | 4.58 | 2.29 |
| C3x3.5 | 3.5 | 3 | 1.37 | 1.09 | 1.57 | 1.04 |
| C3x4.1 | 4.1 | 3 | 1.41 | 1.2 | 1.65 | 1.1 |
| C3x5 | 5 | 3 | 1.5 | 1.47 | 1.85 | 1.23 |
| C3x6 | 6 | 3 | 1.6 | 1.76 | 2.07 | 1.38 |
Family overview
What are AISC Channels?
AISC C-shapes are American standard channels used for framing, bracing and edge members. The channel cross-section is singly symmetric, so axis orientation and connection detailing matter. Designations use nominal depth and weight; tabulated flange and web dimensions govern fit-up. This hub filters the finder to C-shapes so you can compare nearby sizes, download a chart or analyze a selection in Optimal Beam.
Designations
Understanding Channels designations
C12×20.7
C designations use nominal depth and weight, such as C12×20.7. Confirm tabulated flange width and thickness before detailing connections.
Properties
Channels properties explained
These properties are especially relevant when comparing Channels. View the complete property glossary.
| Symbol | Property | Units | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | Weight | lb/ft, kg/m | Mass per unit length; used for self-weight and economy comparisons |
| d | Overall depth | in, mm | Overall depth and clearance |
| bf | Flange width | in, mm | Overall flange width and lateral behaviour |
| tw | Web thickness | in, mm | Web thickness and shear-related behaviour |
| tf | Flange thickness | in, mm | Flange thickness and flexural/local behaviour |
| A | Cross-sectional area | in², mm² | Total steel cross-sectional area |
| Ix | Moment of inertia (x) | in⁴, mm⁴ | Major-axis flexural stiffness |
| Iy | Moment of inertia (y) | in⁴, mm⁴ | Minor-axis flexural stiffness |
| Sx | Elastic section modulus (x) | in³, mm³ | Elastic bending property about the x-axis |
| Sy | Elastic section modulus (y) | in³, mm³ | Elastic bending property about the y-axis |
| Zx | Plastic section modulus (x) | in³, mm³ | Plastic bending property about the x-axis |
| Zy | Plastic section modulus (y) | in³, mm³ | Plastic bending property about the y-axis |
| rx | Radius of gyration (x) | in, mm | Strong-axis radius of gyration |
| ry | Radius of gyration (y) | in, mm | Weak-axis radius of gyration and lateral stability relevance |
| J | Torsional constant | in⁴, mm⁴ | Torsional constant |
| Cw | Warping constant | in⁶, mm⁶ | Warping constant for lateral-torsional behaviour |
Library summary
Computed Channels summary
The current AISC Channels library contains 32 sections across 10 nominal-depth series. Published weights range from 3.50 to 50.00 lb/ft , and actual depths range from 3.00 to 15.00 inches .
- Lightest section
- C3X3.5
- Heaviest section
- C15X50
- Ix range
- 1.57 – 404.00 in⁴
- Sx range
- 1.04 – 53.80 in³
Selection
How to compare Channels
- Confirm channel orientation and which flange faces the supported element.
- Compare depth, weight and Ix for stiffness about the intended axis.
- Check flange width and thickness for connections and local behaviour.
- Compare nearby MC channels when a different proportion is needed.
Beam calculator
Analyze this family in Optimal Beam
Select any C-shape and load it into the Optimal Beam calculator.
Source: AISC Shapes Database v16.0 · Verified July 2026 · View methodology
Questions & answers
Channels FAQs
What is an AISC C-shape?
A C-shape is an American standard channel used for framing, bracing and edge members.
How do C and MC channels differ?
C-shapes are the American standard channel series. MC-shapes are miscellaneous channels with a wider range of proportions.
Which properties matter most for channels?
Depth, weight, Ix, flange geometry and torsional properties often matter, depending on orientation and restraint. Always match the property set to the load path.
Can I analyze a channel in Optimal Beam?
Yes. Select the channel and choose Analyze to open the calculator with its section properties loaded.