Steel C Channel Sizes Chart – Standard C Channel Dimensions and Weight

Common Steel C Channel Sizes Chart (Quick Reference)

The following quick reference table lists several widely used channel sizes in structural fabrication and construction.

Channel Size	Depth (in)	Weight (lb/ft)
C3 × 4.1	3	4.1
C4 × 5.4	4	5.4
C6 × 8.2	6	8.2
C8 × 11.5	8	11.5
C10 × 15.3	10	15.3
C12 × 20.7	12	20.7

These sizes represent some of the most common channel sections used for structural frames, machinery bases, and support systems.

Steel C channels are widely used structural steel sections in construction, machinery manufacturing, steel structures, and infrastructure projects. Their open profile provides good strength-to-weight performance while allowing easy welding, bolting, and fabrication.

In structural steel design, C channels follow the AISC structural channel designation system, where the section name includes the approximate depth and weight per foot. Engineers and fabricators are in need of a reliable steel C channel sizes chart to quickly find standard sizes, dimensions, and weight specifications.

This guide provides a complete steel C channel sizes chart, including standard dimensions and weights from C3 to C15, along with key engineering properties such as cross-sectional area, moment of inertia, and section modulus. These parameters help engineers, fabricators, and buyers quickly identify suitable channel sections for structural applications.

Standard Steel C Channel Sizes

Structural C channels are produced in a range of sizes for different load-bearing requirements. According to the AISC structural steel shape database, standard channel depths generally range from 3 inches to 15 inches.

Typical size ranges include:

• Depth: 3 in – 15 in
• Flange width: 1.4 in – 3.4 in
• Weight: 4.1 lb/ft – 33.9 lb/ft

Channels within this range cover most structural applications including equipment frames, trailer structures, industrial supports, and steel building components.

In international markets, structural channels may also be designated using metric formats such as C100×50×5×7.5, which are commonly used in European or Asian standards.

Steel C Channel Sizes Chart (AISC Standard)

The following C channel steel dimensions include key engineering properties such as cross-sectional area, moment of inertia, and section modulus used in structural calculations.

Designation	in				mm
	Depth (in)	Flange Width (in)	Web Thickness (in)	Weight (lb/ft)	Depth (mm)	Flange Width (mm)	Web Thickness (mm)	Weight (kg/m)
C3 × 4.1	3	1.41	0.17	4.1	76.2	35.8	4.3	6.1
C4 × 5.4	4	1.58	0.18	5.4	101.6	40.1	4.6	8
C5 × 6.7	5	1.75	0.19	6.7	127	44.5	4.8	10
C6 × 8.2	6	1.92	0.2	8.2	152.4	48.8	5.1	12.2
C7 × 9.8	7	2.09	0.21	9.8	177.8	53.1	5.3	14.6
C8 × 11.5	8	2.26	0.22	11.5	203.2	57.4	5.6	17.1
C9 × 13.4	9	2.43	0.23	13.4	228.6	61.7	5.8	19.9
C10 × 15.3	10	2.6	0.24	15.3	254	66	6.1	22.8
C12 × 20.7	12	2.94	0.28	20.7	304.8	74.7	7.1	30.8
C15 × 33.9	15	3.4	0.4	33.9	381	86.4	10.2	50.4

Designation	Area (in²)	Ix (in⁴)	Sx (in³)
C3 × 4.1	1.21	1.77	1.18
C4 × 5.4	1.59	4.47	2.23
C5 × 6.7	1.97	8.72	3.49
C6 × 8.2	2.41	15.4	5.14
C7 × 9.8	2.88	25.1	7.18
C8 × 11.5	3.38	38.5	9.62
C9 × 13.4	3.94	56.5	12.6
C10 × 15.3	4.49	79.1	15.8
C12 × 20.7	6.08	147	24.5
C15 × 33.9	9.97	370	49.3

Explanation of engineering parameters:

• Area (A) – cross-sectional area of the channel
• Ix – moment of inertia about the strong axis
• Sx – section modulus used in bending calculations

These values are commonly referenced in structural design and load calculations.

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Steel C Channel Dimensions Explained

Understanding C channel dimensions helps ensure proper structural selection. The main parameters include:

1. Depth (d)

The depth is the vertical distance between the outer edges of the channel. It largely determines the bending resistance and structural capacity of the section.

2. Flange Width (bf)

The flange width refers to the horizontal legs of the channel. Wider flanges improve stability and provide larger contact areas for bolting or welding.

3. Web Thickness (tw)

The web is the central vertical section connecting the two flanges. Its thickness affects the channel’s shear strength and structural stiffness.

4. Weight per Foot

Weight per foot is used to identify the channel designation and estimate material quantities for fabrication and construction.

For example:

• C6 × 8.2
  • Depth: 6 in
  • Weight: 8.2 lb/ft
• C12 × 20.7
  • Depth: 12 in
  • Weight: 20.7 lb/ft

Most Common Steel C Channel Sizes

Although many channel profiles exist, several sizes are widely used in fabrication and structural projects.

1. Small Structural Channels

• C3 – C5

Typical uses:

• Light framing
• Equipment brackets
• Machinery bases
• Small support frames

2. Medium Structural Channels

• C6 – C8

Typical uses:

• Structural frames
• Roof supports
• Trailer frames
• Equipment structures

3. Large Structural Channels

• C10 – C15

Typical uses:

• Building frameworks
• Industrial platforms
• Heavy machinery supports
• Structural reinforcement

Larger channels provide significantly greater stiffness and load-bearing capacity due to their increased depth and weight.

How to Choose the Right Steel C Channel Size

Selecting the correct C channel size depends on several practical factors.

1. Load Requirements

Heavier channels with greater depth and weight provide higher structural capacity.

2. Span Length

Longer spans usually require larger channels to prevent excessive deflection.

3. Structural Role

Channels may be used as:

• support beams
• framing members
• reinforcement components

4. Fabrication Requirements

Consider:

• welding
• bolting
• machining
• cutting

Common structural grades such as ASTM A36 or A572 steel offer good weldability and fabrication performance for most applications.

Steel C Channel Size FAQ

• What Sizes Do Steel C Channels Come In?
  Steel C channels are typically available in standard sizes ranging from C3 to C15, corresponding to depths of approximately 3 inches to 15 inches. Each designation includes the nominal depth and weight per foot, allowing engineers and buyers to quickly identify the structural section required for a specific application.
• How Do You Read Steel C Channel Sizes?
  Steel channel sizes follow the format C + depth × weight per foot. For example, C8 × 11.5 indicates a channel with an approximate depth of 8 inches and a weight of 11.5 pounds per foot, which helps engineers quickly recognize both the section height and the material weight.
• What Is a Steel C Channel Sizes Chart?
  A steel C channel sizes chart lists the standard dimensions and structural properties of channel sections, including depth, flange width, web thickness, and weight per foot. These charts are widely used in engineering design, fabrication planning, and structural steel procurement.
• What Is the Weight of Steel C Channels Per Foot?
  The weight of a steel C channel depends on the section size and thickness. Smaller channels such as C3 × 4.1 weigh about 4.1 pounds per foot, while larger structural sections like C15 × 33.9 can weigh more than 30 pounds per foot.
• Are Steel C Channel Dimensions Measured in Inches or Millimeters?
  In the United States and many structural steel design standards, C channel dimensions are primarily expressed in inches, with weight measured in pounds per foot. For international projects, dimensions may also be converted into millimeters and kilograms per meter.
• What Are Steel C Channels Used For?
  Steel C channels are commonly used in structural frames, machinery supports, trailer structures, equipment bases, and building components. Their open section design allows easy fabrication while providing reliable strength for structural applications.