Common context
Common project roles include bracing, lintels, shelf angles, edge framing, connection material, truss components, and miscellaneous support framing.
AISC v16.0 · L shape
L2-1/2X2X3/8
L2-1/2X2X3/8 weighs 5.3 lb/ft, has a shorter leg d of 2 in, a cross-sectional area of 1.55 in², and an x-axis elastic section modulus Sx of 0.546 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
- 5.3 lb/ft
- Area
- 1.55 in²
- Shorter leg d
- 2 in
- Elastic Sx
- 0.546 in³
From designation to geometry
Reading the L2-1/2X2X3/8 record
This unequal-leg angle has a longer leg b = 2.5 in, shorter leg d = 2 in and thickness t = 0.375 in in the database convention. Match the leg orientation to the source figure before locating a connection.
The centroid distances are x = 0.578 in and y = 0.826 in. The listed z-axis inertia Iz = 0.273 in⁴ is separate from Ix and Iy; an angle's principal axes should not be inferred from the edges of its outline.
Ix = 0.914 in⁴ and Iy = 0.513 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 L2-1/2X2X3/8
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 × 5.3 lb/ft | 106 lb | 48.081 kg |
| 3 pieces | 3 × 106 lb | 318 lb | 144.242 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.
Shape family context
What is a single angle?
An L-shape is a hot-rolled angle with two perpendicular legs, which may be equal or unequal. Its unsymmetric geometry makes orientation and principal-axis behavior important in both design and detailing.
Learn how shape properties workDetailing watch
Confirm which leg is outstanding, the heel and toe orientation, gage lines, eccentricity, leg clearance, fillet geometry, and whether the long or short leg connects.
Portable reference files
Download L2-1/2X2X3/8 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.
One-click package
Complete 2D + data bundle
DXF, SVG, EPS, HPGL, PDF, PNG, WebP, CSV, XLSX, JSON, XML, YAML, TXT, and Markdown in one ZIP.
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Dimensions & properties
L2-1/2X2X3/8 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
- 5.3 lb/ft
- A Area
- 1.55 in²
- d Depth / angle leg dimension d
- 2 in
- b HSS flat width / angle leg dimension b
- 2.5 in
- t Angle thickness
- 0.375 in
- kdes Design k distance
- 0.625 in
- kdet Detailing k distance
- 0.625 in
Centroid & detailing
- x Centroid x
- 0.578 in
- y Centroid y
- 0.826 in
- xp Plastic neutral axis x
- 0.31 in
- yp Plastic neutral axis y
- 0.433 in
X-axis properties
- Ix X-axis moment of inertia
- 0.914 in⁴
- Zx X-axis plastic section modulus
- 0.982 in³
- Sx X-axis elastic section modulus
- 0.546 in³
- rx X-axis radius of gyration
- 0.766 in
Y- and z-axis properties
- Iy Y-axis moment of inertia
- 0.513 in⁴
- Zy Y-axis plastic section modulus
- 0.657 in³
- Sy Y-axis elastic section modulus
- 0.361 in³
- ry Y-axis radius of gyration
- 0.574 in
- Iz Z-axis moment of inertia
- 0.273 in⁴
- rz Z-axis radius of gyration
- 0.419 in
- Sz Z-axis elastic section modulus
- 0.295 in³
Torsion, warping & perimeters
- J Torsional constant
- 0.075 in⁴
- Cw Warping constant
- 0.027 in⁶
- PA Shape perimeter PA
- 7 in
- PA2 Shape perimeter PA2
- 6.5 in
- PB Shape perimeter PB
- 9 in
Compare published reference values
L2-1/2X2X3/8 alongside nearby L 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) | Shorter leg d (in) | Area (in²) | Ix (in⁴) | Iy (in⁴) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L2-1/2X2X3/8 (this record) | 5.3 | 2 | 1.55 | 0.914 | 0.513 |
| L2-1/2X2X5/16 | 4.5 | 2 | 1.32 | 0.79 | 0.446 |
| L2-1/2X2X1/4 | 3.62 | 2 | 1.07 | 0.656 | 0.372 |
Relative to L2-1/2X2X3/8, L2-1/2X2X5/16 changes nominal weight by -0.8 lb/ft, listed shorter leg d by 0 in, and area by -0.23 in². At the same hypothetical 20 ft length, the nominal weight difference is -16 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