Source: https://www.quantumsteeldesign.com/videos/w18x35/ Steel video · 0:55 # What Does W18x35 Mean? Steel Beam Size Explained in 60 Seconds Learn what W18x35 means, including nominal depth and weight, actual AISC dimensions, twenty-foot member weight, connection fit-up, and clearances. What you will learn - W identifies a wide-flange shape. - 18 is nominal depth; the listed depth is 17.7 inches. - 35 is nominal weight in pounds per foot. - Actual dimensions affect fit-up, connections, and clearances. Published August 6, 2026 [Watch on YouTube ↗](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wKclrcs7-Q) [Watch the Short ↗](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/F4oUgdGzDpE) Practical context ## How the steel information fits the project workflow Learn what W18x35 means, including nominal depth and weight, actual AISC dimensions, twenty-foot member weight, connection fit-up, and clearances. Project documents, governing standards, and qualified professional review control project-specific work. Continue with the data ### W18x35 shape reference Move from the video explanation to the related reference, dimensions, properties, tools, and learning context. [Open related reference](https://www.quantumsteeldesign.com/steel-tools/shapes/w18x35/) Companion reading and practice ## How do the designation and takeoff connect? For a fictional 20 ft W18X35 member, the nominal calculation is 20 × 35 = 700 lb. The 35 refers to pounds per foot; the depth-family label should not replace the actual dimension field. Keep the designation, measured length basis, quantity, and units together. Look up the actual depth and flange/web dimensions when those values are needed. Nominal weight does not establish load capacity or include plates, fasteners, coatings, and fabrication allowances. ### Try it with a sample Open the shape record, then enter one 20 ft piece in Material Takeoff and compare the nominal weight. [Try a one-member takeoff](https://www.quantumsteeldesign.com/material-takeoff/) 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 - [AISC Shapes Database v16.0](https://www.aisc.org/aisc/publications/steel-construction-manual/aisc-shapes-database-v160/) 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](https://www.quantumsteeldesign.com/about/#editorial-approach) · [Report a correction](https://www.quantumsteeldesign.com/contact/) · Companion guide updated September 28, 2026. Accessible transcript ## What Does W18x35 Mean? Steel Beam Size Explained in 60 Seconds transcript The visible transcript makes the video content available to people and search systems without requiring playback. - Ever wonder what W eighteen by thirty-five actually means? - The W means wide-flange: two parallel flanges connected by a web. - Eighteen is the nominal depth, not the exact depth. In the AISC Shapes Database, this member is seventeen point seven inches deep. - Thirty-five is the nominal weight in pounds per foot. - So a twenty-foot piece weighs about seven hundred pounds before connection material or coating. - Its flanges are six inches wide. The web is point three inches thick, and each flange is point four two five inches thick. - Those numbers matter for fit-up, connections, clearances, and engineering checks. But remember: the name identifies the member. It does not approve the design. - Decode another shape with the free Quantum Steel Design reference at quantumsteeldesign.com slash steel-tools. Keep watching ## More structural steel detailing and fabrication videos. [View the complete video library](https://www.quantumsteeldesign.com/videos/) [0:55](https://www.quantumsteeldesign.com/videos/blank-steel-data-not-zero/) August 8, 2026AI-assisted detailing explainer ## Why Blank Steel Data Is Not Zero Learn why blank, zero, unknown, and not-applicable are different data states—and how silent conversion can make incomplete steel information appear valid. [Watch with transcript](https://www.quantumsteeldesign.com/videos/blank-steel-data-not-zero/) [Watch Short ↗](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Iv2DZp-aR58) [0:55](https://www.quantumsteeldesign.com/videos/w12x26-vs-w12x40/) August 7, 2026Steel explainer ## W12x26 vs W12x40: Same Depth Family, Different Beam Compare W12x26 and W12x40 dimensions, weight, flange width, stiffness, and connection implications before treating two W12 beams as equivalent. [Watch with transcript](https://www.quantumsteeldesign.com/videos/w12x26-vs-w12x40/) [Watch Short ↗](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/eWLSHfLqtfM) [0:48](https://www.quantumsteeldesign.com/videos/2l4x4x3-8/) August 7, 2026Steel explainer ## What Does 2L4x4x3/8 Mean? Double Angles Explained Decode the 2L4x4x3/8 double-angle designation and understand why separation, connectors, eccentricity, and stability define the built-up member. [Watch with transcript](https://www.quantumsteeldesign.com/videos/2l4x4x3-8/) [Watch Short ↗](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/KCsMtMCJJjw)