Common context
Common project roles include stair framing, edge members, lintels, equipment supports, girts, headers, and built-up or back-to-back framing.
32 AISC v16.0 records
AISC American Standard channels (C).
A C-shape is a hot-rolled channel with one web and two flanges on the same side. Its singly symmetric, open geometry makes orientation, eccentricity, and torsion important considerations.
Detailing watch
Check toe direction, gage and bolt access, flange slope where applicable, connection eccentricity, web orientation, and whether paired channels require separation or intermediate connectors.
Use the directory as a reference
How to read the C records
The C designation carries a depth series and nominal weight per foot. Use actual flange width, web thickness and the detailing fields when checking the physical reference envelope.
Channels are open sections with a toe direction. Preserve the database centroid and shear-center conventions; a mirrored channel changes how that geometry relates to a project model.
This dataset contains 32 C records, with nominal weights from 3.5 to 50 lb/ft and listed depth values from 3 to 15 in. These ranges describe the published records, not current supplier inventory or a selection recommendation.
Start with the exact designation, open its full record, then compare only the dimensions and properties relevant to your task. For example, C15X40 lists 40 lb/ft, 11.8 in² area, Ix = 348 in⁴ and Iy = 9.17 in⁴. The x and y labels retain the database axes; their values do not establish allowable loads.
The AISC v16.0 workbook Readme defines the variables and shape figures. This directory uses the US customary record; the comparison tool converts displayed units. Check the required edition and product specification before transferring data.
Worked quantity example
Nominal weight for C15X40
Assume 3 pieces, each 20 ft (6.096 m) long. This is a hypothetical quantity example, not a stock-length or lifting recommendation.
| Quantity | Calculation | Nominal pounds | Kilogram equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| One 20 ft piece | 20 ft × 40 lb/ft | 800 lb | 362.874 kg |
| 3 pieces | 3 × 800 lb | 2,400 lb | 1,088.622 kg |
Conversion: 1 lb = 0.45359237 kg; displayed results are rounded. This multiplication excludes connection plates, bolts, weld metal, coatings, cutting allowances and actual material variation. Use the material takeoff for your own lengths and quantities.
Crawlable designation index
All C shape records.
Showing all 32 records.
| Designation | Weight | Depth / OD / d | Area | X-axis Sx |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C15X50 | 50 lb/ft | 15 in | 14.7 in² | 53.8 in³ |
| C15X40 | 40 lb/ft | 15 in | 11.8 in² | 46.5 in³ |
| C15X33.9 | 33.9 lb/ft | 15 in | 10 in² | 42 in³ |
| C12X30 | 30 lb/ft | 12 in | 8.81 in² | 27 in³ |
| C12X25 | 25 lb/ft | 12 in | 7.34 in² | 24 in³ |
| C12X20.7 | 20.7 lb/ft | 12 in | 6.08 in² | 21.5 in³ |
| C10X30 | 30 lb/ft | 10 in | 8.81 in² | 20.7 in³ |
| C10X25 | 25 lb/ft | 10 in | 7.35 in² | 18.2 in³ |
| C10X20 | 20 lb/ft | 10 in | 5.87 in² | 15.8 in³ |
| C10X15.3 | 15.3 lb/ft | 10 in | 4.48 in² | 13.5 in³ |
| C9X20 | 20 lb/ft | 9 in | 5.87 in² | 13.5 in³ |
| C9X15 | 15 lb/ft | 9 in | 4.4 in² | 11.3 in³ |
| C9X13.4 | 13.4 lb/ft | 9 in | 3.94 in² | 10.6 in³ |
| C8X18.75 | 18.75 lb/ft | 8 in | 5.51 in² | 11 in³ |
| C8X13.75 | 13.75 lb/ft | 8 in | 4.03 in² | 9.02 in³ |
| C8X11.5 | 11.5 lb/ft | 8 in | 3.37 in² | 8.14 in³ |
| C7X14.75 | 14.75 lb/ft | 7 in | 4.33 in² | 7.78 in³ |
| C7X12.25 | 12.25 lb/ft | 7 in | 3.59 in² | 6.92 in³ |
| C7X9.8 | 9.8 lb/ft | 7 in | 2.87 in² | 6.07 in³ |
| C6X13 | 13 lb/ft | 6 in | 3.82 in² | 5.78 in³ |
| C6X10.5 | 10.5 lb/ft | 6 in | 3.07 in² | 5.04 in³ |
| C6X8.2 | 8.2 lb/ft | 6 in | 2.39 in² | 4.35 in³ |
| C5X9 | 9 lb/ft | 5 in | 2.64 in² | 3.56 in³ |
| C5X6.7 | 6.7 lb/ft | 5 in | 1.97 in² | 2.99 in³ |
| C4X7.25 | 7.25 lb/ft | 4 in | 2.13 in² | 2.29 in³ |
| C4X6.25 | 6.25 lb/ft | 4 in | 1.84 in² | 2.1 in³ |
| C4X5.4 | 5.4 lb/ft | 4 in | 1.58 in² | 1.92 in³ |
| C4X4.5 | 4.5 lb/ft | 4 in | 1.34 in² | 1.77 in³ |
| C3X6 | 6 lb/ft | 3 in | 1.76 in² | 1.38 in³ |
| C3X5 | 5 lb/ft | 3 in | 1.47 in² | 1.23 in³ |
| C3X4.1 | 4.1 lb/ft | 3 in | 1.2 in² | 1.1 in³ |
| C3X3.5 | 3.5 lb/ft | 3 in | 1.09 in² | 1.04 in³ |
Values are derived from the AISC Shapes Database v16.0 in US customary units. Open a designation for its full property table, nominal profile, downloads, source notes, and limitations.