W6x15 weight and dimensions
22.5 kg/m · 15.00 lb/ft
W6x15 is a 152 mm deep beam with a 152 mm flange, 5.84 mm web and 6.6 mm flange thickness. It weighs 22.5 kg per metre (15.00 lb/ft). It belongs to the W-shape wide flange beam series, American (AISC / ASTM A6).
W6x15 weight calculator
Weight of standard lengths
| Pieces | 20 ft each (lb) | 40 ft each (lb) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 302.4 | 604.8 |
| 5 | 1,511.9 | 3,023.9 |
| 10 | 3,023.9 | 6,047.7 |
| 20 | 6,047.7 | 12,095.4 |
| 50 | 15,119.3 | 30,238.6 |
Pieces per ton
| 20 ft lengths per short ton (2,000 lb) | 6.6 |
| 40 ft lengths per short ton (2,000 lb) | 3.3 |
| Length per ton | 132.3 ft |
Useful for converting a tonnage order into a number of bars.
Surface area for painting
| Per metre of length | 0.892 m²/m |
| Per foot of length | 2.93 ft²/ft |
| Per tonne of steel | 39.6 m²/t |
| A 12 m length | 10.70 m² |
Outside perimeter × length, all faces (AISC perimeter PB). Use it to estimate paint, primer, fireproofing or galvanizing quantities.
Cross-section
Drawn to scale. Dimensions in mm.
Dimensions
| Depth h | 152 mm | 5.984 in |
| Flange width b | 152 mm | 5.984 in |
| Web thickness tw | 5.84 mm | 0.230 in |
| Flange thickness tf | 6.6 mm | 0.260 in |
| Root radius r | 6.4 mm | 0.252 in |
| Mass | 22.5 kg/m | 15.00 lb/ft |
Section properties
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Area | 28.60 | cm² |
| Moment of inertia Ix | 1,210 | cm⁴ |
| Moment of inertia Iy | 388 | cm⁴ |
| Elastic modulus Zx | 159 | cm³ |
| Elastic modulus Zy | 51.00 | cm³ |
| Plastic modulus Zpx | 177 | cm³ |
| Plastic modulus Zpy | 77.80 | cm³ |
| Radius of gyration rx | 6.50 | cm |
| Radius of gyration ry | 3.68 | cm |
| Torsion constant J | 4.20 | cm⁴ |
Equivalent sections in other standards
The closest sections by depth and weight. They are not direct substitutes: check bending, buckling and connection details before swapping one for another.
W6x15 and its closest equivalents, drawn over each other at the same scale.
| Section | Standard | Depth (mm) | kg/m | Weight vs W6x15 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W6x15 | AISC | 152 | 22.5 | — |
| ISWB 150 | IS | 150 | 17.00 | -24.4% |
| ISMB 150 | IS | 150 | 14.96 | -33.5% |
| HEA 140 | EN | 133 | 24.66 | +9.6% |
| IPE 160 | EN | 160 | 15.77 | -29.9% |
W6 series weights
Next lighter: W6x12 (18 kg/m). Next heavier: W6x16 (24 kg/m).
Stiffness and strength per kilogram
The elastic section modulus Zx governs bending strength. Dividing it by the weight shows how efficiently each size uses its steel: higher is better when weight is the cost driver.
| Section | kg/m | Ix (cm⁴) | Zx (cm³) | Zx per kg/m |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W6x8.5 | 13.00 | 620 | 83.6 | 6.43 |
| W6x9 | 13.50 | 683 | 91.1 | 6.75 |
| W6x12 | 18.00 | 920 | 120.0 | 6.67 |
| W6x15 | 22.50 | 1,210 | 159.0 | 7.07 |
| W6x16 | 24.00 | 1,340 | 167.0 | 6.96 |
| W6x20 | 29.80 | 1,720 | 220.0 | 7.38 |
| W6x25 | 37.10 | 2,220 | 274.0 | 7.39 |
Full table: W-shape (wide flange) beam chart (PDF).
How the weight is calculated
Mass per metre = cross-sectional area × density of steel = 28.60 cm² × 0.785 kg/(cm²·m) = 22.45 kg/m.
Rolled sections are made to a nominal mass, and the actual mass can differ by a few percent within the tolerances of ASTM A6. For purchasing, invoicing by weight or checking deliveries, use the producer's stated mass.
Typical uses
Wide flange sections like this are used as columns, heavy beams and transfer girders, where stiffness about both axes matters.
Frequently asked questions
What is the weight of W6x15 per metre?
W6x15 weighs 22.5 kg/m, which is 15.00 lb/ft.
How much does a 6 m or 12 m length of W6x15 weigh?
A 6 m length weighs about 135.0 kg and a 12 m length about 270.0 kg.
What is the equivalent of W6x15 in other standards?
By depth and weight the closest match is ISWB 150 (17 kg/m, 150 mm deep). Check section properties before substituting one for the other.
Source: AISC Shapes Database v16.0. Values are nominal; verify with the producer before ordering.