AISC S-Shapes: Dimensions and Section Properties
Browse AISC American standard S-shapes by depth and weight. Compare dimensions and section properties in imperial or metric units.
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Showing AISC · S-Shapes · Imperial
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S24x106 | 106 | 24.5 | 7.87 | 31.1 | 2940 | 240 |
| S24x121 | 121 | 24.5 | 8.05 | 35.5 | 3160 | 258 |
| S24x80 | 80 | 24 | 7 | 23.5 | 2100 | 175 |
| S24x90 | 90 | 24 | 7.13 | 26.5 | 2250 | 187 |
| S24x100 | 100 | 24 | 7.25 | 29.3 | 2380 | 199 |
| S20x86 | 86 | 20.3 | 7.06 | 25.3 | 1570 | 155 |
| S20x96 | 96 | 20.3 | 7.2 | 28.2 | 1670 | 165 |
| S20x66 | 66 | 20 | 6.26 | 19.4 | 1190 | 119 |
| S20x75 | 75 | 20 | 6.39 | 22 | 1280 | 128 |
| S18x54.7 | 54.7 | 18 | 6 | 16 | 801 | 89 |
| S18x70 | 70 | 18 | 6.25 | 20.5 | 923 | 103 |
| S15x42.9 | 42.9 | 15 | 5.5 | 12.6 | 446 | 59.4 |
| S15x50 | 50 | 15 | 5.64 | 14.7 | 485 | 64.7 |
| S12x31.8 | 31.8 | 12 | 5 | 9.31 | 217 | 36.2 |
| S12x35 | 35 | 12 | 5.08 | 10.2 | 228 | 38.1 |
| S12x40.8 | 40.8 | 12 | 5.25 | 11.9 | 270 | 45.1 |
| S12x50 | 50 | 12 | 5.48 | 14.7 | 303 | 50.6 |
| S10x25.4 | 25.4 | 10 | 4.66 | 7.45 | 123 | 24.6 |
| S10x35 | 35 | 10 | 4.94 | 10.3 | 147 | 29.4 |
| S8x18.4 | 18.4 | 8 | 4 | 5.4 | 57.5 | 14.4 |
| S8x23 | 23 | 8 | 4.17 | 6.76 | 64.7 | 16.2 |
| S6x12.5 | 12.5 | 6 | 3.33 | 3.66 | 22 | 7.34 |
| S6x17.25 | 17.25 | 6 | 3.57 | 5.05 | 26.2 | 8.74 |
| S5x10 | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2.93 | 12.3 | 4.9 |
| S4x7.7 | 7.7 | 4 | 2.66 | 2.26 | 6.05 | 3.03 |
| S4x9.5 | 9.5 | 4 | 2.8 | 2.79 | 6.76 | 3.38 |
| S3x5.7 | 5.7 | 3 | 2.33 | 1.66 | 2.5 | 1.67 |
| S3x7.5 | 7.5 | 3 | 2.51 | 2.2 | 2.91 | 1.94 |
Family overview
What are AISC S-Shapes?
AISC S-shapes are American standard beams with sloping inner flange faces, distinct from parallel-flange W-shapes. They appear in older construction and some specialty applications. Designations use nominal depth and weight; tabulated depth and flange geometry govern detailing. Compare S-shapes against W alternatives carefully—geometry and properties differ even when nominal depths look similar. Use this hub to filter the finder to S-shapes, compare nearby weights and hand a selection to the Optimal Beam calculator.
Designations
Understanding S-Shapes designations
S12×35
S designations use nominal depth and weight, such as S12×35. The sloping inner flange face is a defining geometric difference from W-shapes.
Properties
S-Shapes properties explained
These properties are especially relevant when comparing S-Shapes. 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 S-Shapes summary
The current AISC S-Shapes library contains 28 sections across 11 nominal-depth series. Published weights range from 5.70 to 121.00 lb/ft , and actual depths range from 3.00 to 24.50 inches .
- Lightest section
- S3X5.7
- Heaviest section
- S24X121
- Ix range
- 2.50 – 3,160.00 in⁴
- Sx range
- 1.67 – 258.00 in³
Selection
How to compare S-Shapes
- Confirm whether the project expects an S-shape or a modern W alternative.
- Compare actual depth and flange geometry, not only nominal depth.
- Check Ix, Sx and connection details before substituting a W-shape.
- Analyze both candidates under the same model when evaluating a swap.
Beam calculator
Analyze this family in Optimal Beam
Select any S-shape and load it into the Optimal Beam calculator.
Source: AISC Shapes Database v16.0 · Verified July 2026 · View methodology
Questions & answers
S-Shapes FAQs
What is an AISC S-shape?
An S-shape is an American standard beam with sloping inner flange faces, distinct from parallel-flange W-shapes.
How do S-shapes differ from W-shapes?
S-shapes have sloping inner flanges and different proportioning. W-shapes have essentially parallel flanges and are the common modern wide-flange series.
Are S and W sections interchangeable?
Not automatically. Even similar nominal depths can have different actual depths, flange widths and properties. Compare tabulated values and re-check the design model.
Can I download an S-shape size chart?
Yes. Use the family chart download on this page or the PDF controls in the finder toolbar.