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What Does HSS6x6x1/4 Mean? Square HSS Explained

Decode HSS6x6x1/4 outside dimensions, nominal and design wall thickness, weight per foot, corner geometry, connection space, and fit-up considerations.

Practical context

How the steel information fits the project workflow

The first two numbers are outside dimensions—not clear inside dimensions.

Wall thickness and rounded corners reduce usable interior space.

Companion reading and practice

What does the square HSS label tell you?

The label gives nominal outside dimensions and wall thickness. A complete database record also distinguishes the wall fields and lists area, weight, and section properties.

Read those fields individually rather than treating the label as a complete engineering description. The material specification, finish, end details, and connections remain separate project requirements. A nominal profile is a reference shape, not a measurement of a delivered tube.

Try it with a sample

Compare the designation with the actual Ht, B, tnom, and tdes fields in the linked record.

Read the square HSS reference

Examples are fictional learning exercises. This companion text adds context to the video; the transcript below records the narration.

Primary sources

References and further reading

Use the edition and requirements adopted for the project. These references support further reading; a short video does not reproduce the complete standards.

Published by Quantum Steel Design. Sources and editorial approach · Report a correction · Companion guide updated .

Accessible transcript

What Does HSS6x6x1/4 Mean? Square HSS Explained transcript

The visible transcript makes the video content available to people and search systems without requiring playback.

  1. Here is how to read H S S six by six by one quarter in under a minute.
  2. H S S means hollow structural section. This example is a square tube, not a solid bar.
  3. The first six is the outside height in inches. The second six is the outside width.
  4. One quarter is the nominal wall thickness. For A five hundred H S S, the AISC design thickness is point two three three inches.
  5. The AISC database lists this section at about nineteen point zero two pounds per foot.
  6. The rounded corners, flat widths, and available connection space matter for plates, bolts, welds, and fit-up.
  7. The name identifies the shape. Material specification, loads, connections, and applicable code still control the design.
  8. Explore this shape and thousands more in the free Quantum Steel Design steel-shape reference.

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