W6 Beam Sizes and Section Properties
Compare AISC W6 wide-flange sections by weight, actual depth, flange width, moment of inertia and section modulus.
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W6x25 | 25 | 6.38 | 6.08 | 7.34 | 53.4 | 16.7 |
| W6x16 | 16 | 6.28 | 4.03 | 4.74 | 32.1 | 10.2 |
| W6x20 | 20 | 6.2 | 6.02 | 5.87 | 41.4 | 13.4 |
| W6x12 | 12 | 6.03 | 4 | 3.55 | 22.1 | 7.31 |
| W6x15 | 15 | 5.99 | 5.99 | 4.43 | 29.1 | 9.72 |
| W6x9 | 9 | 5.9 | 3.94 | 2.68 | 16.4 | 5.56 |
| W6x8.5 | 8.5 | 5.83 | 3.94 | 2.52 | 14.9 | 5.1 |
Series overview
W6 series
The W6 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 W6 series contains 7 published sections ranging from 8.50 to 25.00 lb/ft . Actual depths range from 5.83 to 6.38 inches, despite the shared W6 nominal designation .
- Lightest W6
- W6X8.5
- Highest Ix
- W6X25
- Shallowest actual depth
- W6X8.5
- Widest flange
- W6X25
Beam calculator
Analyze a W6 section
Select a designation above and load it into Optimal Beam for span, support and load analysis.
Source: AISC Shapes Database v16.0 · Methodology
Questions & answers
W6 FAQs
What is the W6 series?
It is the set of published AISC W shapes whose designation begins with W6. Members share a nominal-depth label but can differ in weight, actual depth and properties.
Why do actual depths differ within W6?
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 W6 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 W6 section in Optimal Beam?
Yes. Select a designation above and choose Analyze to load its properties into the beam calculator.