W12 Beam Sizes and Section Properties

Compare AISC W12 wide-flange sections by weight, actual depth, flange width, moment of inertia and section modulus.

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Showing AISC · W12 · Imperial

AISC Shapes Database v16.0 · 2,299 sections

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Showing the most relevant 75 sections.

AISC W-shape dimensions and section properties in imperial units
Designation Weight (lb/ft) Depth, d (in) Flange width, bf (in) Area (in²) Ix (in⁴) Sx (in³)
W12x336 336 16.8 13.4 98.9 4060 483
W12x305 305 16.3 13.2 89.5 3550 435
W12x279 279 15.9 13.1 81.9 3110 393
W12x252 252 15.4 13 74.1 2720 353
W12x230 230 15.1 12.9 67.7 2420 321
W12x210 210 14.7 12.8 61.8 2140 292
W12x190 190 14.4 12.7 56 1890 263
W12x170 170 14 12.6 50 1650 235
W12x152 152 13.7 12.5 44.7 1430 209
W12x136 136 13.4 12.4 39.9 1240 186
W12x120 120 13.1 12.3 35.2 1070 163
W12x106 106 12.9 12.2 31.2 933 145
W12x96 96 12.7 12.2 28.2 833 131
W12x35 35 12.5 6.56 10.3 285 45.6
W12x87 87 12.5 12.1 25.6 740 118
W12x79 79 12.4 12.1 23.2 662 107
W12x22 22 12.3 4.03 6.48 156 25.4
W12x30 30 12.3 6.52 8.79 238 38.6
W12x72 72 12.3 12 21.1 597 97.4
W12x19 19 12.2 4.01 5.57 130 21.3
W12x26 26 12.2 6.49 7.65 204 33.4
W12x50 50 12.2 8.08 14.6 391 64.2
W12x58 58 12.2 10 17 475 78
W12x45 45 12.1 8.05 13.1 348 57.7
W12x53 53 12.1 10 15.6 425 70.6
W12x65 65 12.1 12 19.1 533 87.9
W12x16 16 12 3.99 4.71 103 17.1
W12x14 14 11.9 3.97 4.16 88.6 14.9
W12x40 40 11.9 8.01 11.7 307 51.5

Series overview

W12 series

The W12 series groups AISC W-family shapes that share the same nominal-depth designation prefix. Weights and actual depths still vary within the series, so use the table below to compare candidates before analysis.

The AISC W12 series contains 29 published sections ranging from 14.00 to 336.00 lb/ft . Actual depths range from 11.90 to 16.80 inches, despite the shared W12 nominal designation .

Lightest W12
W12X14
Highest Ix
W12X336
Shallowest actual depth
W12X14
Widest flange
W12X336

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Source: AISC Shapes Database v16.0 · Methodology

Questions & answers

W12 FAQs

What is the W12 series?

It is the set of published AISC W shapes whose designation begins with W12. Members share a nominal-depth label but can differ in weight, actual depth and properties.

Why do actual depths differ within W12?

The number in the designation is nominal. Published overall depth varies by weight. Always use the tabulated depth for clearance and detailing.

How should I choose among W12 weights?

Compare weight, Ix, Sx, flange geometry and project constraints, then analyze finalists under the same span and loads. There is no universal “best” section.

Can I analyze a W12 section in Optimal Beam?

Yes. Select a designation above and choose Analyze to load its properties into the beam calculator.