Common context
Common project roles include stair framing, edge members, lintels, equipment supports, girts, headers, and built-up or back-to-back framing.
AISC v16.0 · C shape
C10X20
C10X20 weighs 20 lb/ft, has a depth of 10 in, a cross-sectional area of 5.87 in², and an x-axis elastic section modulus Sx of 15.8 in³. Open the full US customary property record or generate 2D, data, report, and 3D reference files locally in your browser.
Nominal profile
Units · inches
Building nominal profile…
- Weight
- 20 lb/ft
- Area
- 5.87 in²
- Depth
- 10 in
- Elastic Sx
- 15.8 in³
From designation to geometry
Reading the C10X20 record
The 10 in depth series in C10X20 is a designation. The tabulated depth d is 10 in and flange width bf is 2.74 in. The separately listed detailing depth ddet is 10 in.
The web thickness tw is 0.379 in and flange thickness tf is 0.436 in. This open channel also has centroid x = 0.606 in and shear-center offset eo = 0.636 in; preserve the toe direction and source axis convention when using those values.
Ix = 78.9 in⁴ and Iy = 2.8 in⁴ refer to the database x- and y-axes. Here Ix is numerically larger. Axis letters are labels, not a guarantee that x is always the larger axis. These are geometric properties, not allowable loads or complete member capacities.
Match the axis and dimension conventions to the figures in the AISC v16.0 workbook Readme. The profile above simplifies manufacturing geometry; its outline is not used to recalculate the published properties.
Worked quantity example
Nominal weight for C10X20
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 × 20 lb/ft | 400 lb | 181.437 kg |
| 3 pieces | 3 × 400 lb | 1,200 lb | 544.311 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.
Open video and transcript →
Watch the steel explainer
What Does C10x20 Mean? Steel Channel Explained
Decode the C10x20 steel-channel designation, actual dimensions, nominal weight, and the eccentricity and torsion considerations of a singly symmetric channel.
Shape family context
What is a American Standard channel?
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.
Learn how shape properties workDetailing 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.
Portable reference files
Download C10X20 your way.
Every file is generated locally in your browser from the same nominal profile and AISC v16.0 reference record.
CAD, vector, and image
Use the profile in CAD, illustration, plotting, reports, or presentations.
Tables and portable data
Take a printable datasheet, spreadsheet, structured record, or plain-text table.
Extrude a nominal member
Enter a member length in inches. Mesh files are generated from the nominal reference profile.
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Dimensions & properties
C10X20 reference data.
Values below are derived from the AISC Shapes Database v16.0 in US customary units. A dash indicates that a property is not applicable or not included for this family.
Nominal dimensions
- W Nominal weight
- 20 lb/ft
- A Area
- 5.87 in²
- d Depth / angle leg dimension d
- 10 in
- ddet Detailing depth
- 10 in
- bf Flange width
- 2.74 in
- bfdet Detailing flange width
- 2.75 in
- tw Web thickness
- 0.379 in
- twdet Detailing web thickness
- 0.375 in
- tf Flange thickness
- 0.436 in
- tfdet Detailing flange thickness
- 0.438 in
- kdes Design k distance
- 1 in
- kdet Detailing k distance
- 1.063 in
Centroid & detailing
- x Centroid x
- 0.606 in
- eo Shear-center offset
- 0.636 in
- xp Plastic neutral axis x
- 0.294 in
- T Detailing T distance
- 8 in
- WGi Workable gage, inner
- 1.5 in
X-axis properties
- Ix X-axis moment of inertia
- 78.9 in⁴
- Zx X-axis plastic section modulus
- 19.4 in³
- Sx X-axis elastic section modulus
- 15.8 in³
- rx X-axis radius of gyration
- 3.67 in
- rts Effective radius of gyration
- 0.894 in
- ho Flange centroid distance
- 9.56 in
Y- and z-axis properties
- Iy Y-axis moment of inertia
- 2.8 in⁴
- Zy Y-axis plastic section modulus
- 2.7 in³
- Sy Y-axis elastic section modulus
- 1.31 in³
- ry Y-axis radius of gyration
- 0.69 in
Torsion, warping & perimeters
- J Torsional constant
- 0.368 in⁴
- Cw Warping constant
- 56.9 in⁶
- PA Shape perimeter PA
- 27.2 in
- PB Shape perimeter PB
- 29.9 in
- PC Shape perimeter PC
- 22.7 in
- PD Shape perimeter PD
- 25.5 in
Compare published reference values
C10X20 alongside nearby C records
These records share the same nominal series, outside envelope or leg arrangement, depending on the family. Peers are ordered by absolute weight difference, then listed depth and designation. The table does not rank structural performance or approve a substitution.
| Record | Weight (lb/ft) | Depth (in) | Area (in²) | Ix (in⁴) | Iy (in⁴) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C10X20 (this record) | 20 | 10 | 5.87 | 78.9 | 2.8 |
| C10X15.3 | 15.3 | 10 | 4.48 | 67.3 | 2.27 |
| C10X25 | 25 | 10 | 7.35 | 91.1 | 3.34 |
Relative to C10X20, C10X15.3 changes nominal weight by -4.7 lb/ft, listed depth by 0 in, and area by -1.39 in². At the same hypothetical 20 ft length, the nominal weight difference is -94 lb.
Open these records in the full comparison tool
Compare the remaining dimensions, axis conventions, grade, availability and project requirements separately. Weight or section-property similarity does not establish matching connection geometry or member capacity.
Data is derived from the AISC Shapes Database v16.0, consistent with the AISC Steel Construction Manual, 16th Edition, 1st Printing. AISC advises professional verification before use in a specific application. The downloadable DXF is a nominal reference profile and may simplify rolled fillets, flange tapers, angle radii, HSS corner radii, and other manufacturing geometry. Verify all dimensions and suitability before design, detailing, ordering, or fabrication.
From reference to deliverable