W6x9 weight and dimensions

13.5 kg/m · 9.00 lb/ft

W6x9 is a 150 mm deep beam with a 100 mm flange, 4.32 mm web and 5.46 mm flange thickness. It weighs 13.5 kg per metre (9.00 lb/ft). It belongs to the W-shape wide flange beam series, American (AISC / ASTM A6).

W6x9 weight calculator

Total weight
—

Weight of standard lengths

Pieces20 ft each (lb)40 ft each (lb)
1181.4362.9
5907.21,814.3
101,814.33,628.6
203,628.67,257.3
509,071.618,143.2

Pieces per ton

20 ft lengths per short ton (2,000 lb)11.0
40 ft lengths per short ton (2,000 lb)5.5
Length per ton220.5 ft

Useful for converting a tonnage order into a number of bars.

Surface area for painting

Per metre of length0.681 m²/m
Per foot of length2.23 ft²/ft
Per tonne of steel50.4 m²/t
A 12 m length8.17 m²

Outside perimeter × length, all faces (AISC perimeter PB). Use it to estimate paint, primer, fireproofing or galvanizing quantities.

Cross-section

W6x9 cross-section, drawn to scaleh 150b 100tw 4.32tf 5.46r 6.3

Drawn to scale. Dimensions in mm.

Dimensions

Depth h 150 mm 5.906 in
Flange width b 100 mm 3.937 in
Web thickness tw 4.32 mm 0.170 in
Flange thickness tf 5.46 mm 0.215 in
Root radius r 6.3 mm 0.248 in
Mass13.5 kg/m9.00 lb/ft

Section properties

PropertyValueUnit
Area17.30cm²
Moment of inertia Ix683cm⁴
Moment of inertia Iy91.60cm⁴
Elastic modulus Zx91.10cm³
Elastic modulus Zy18.20cm³
Plastic modulus Zpx102cm³
Plastic modulus Zpy28.20cm³
Radius of gyration rx6.27cm
Radius of gyration ry2.30cm
Torsion constant J1.69cm⁴

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.

Overlay of W6x9, ISMB 150, ISWB 150, IPE 140, drawn to the same scaleW6x9ISMB 150ISWB 150IPE 140W6x9 — 13.5 kg/mISMB 150 — 14.96 kg/mISWB 150 — 17 kg/mIPE 140 — 12.89 kg/m

W6x9 and its closest equivalents, drawn over each other at the same scale.

SectionStandardDepth (mm)kg/mWeight vs W6x9
W6x9AISC15013.5—
ISMB 150 IS 150 14.96 +10.8%
ISWB 150 IS 150 17.00 +25.9%
IPE 140 EN 140 12.89 -4.5%
IPE 160 EN 160 15.77 +16.8%

W6 series weights

01937 W6x8.5: 13 kg/m W6x8.5 W6x9: 13.5 kg/m W6x9 W6x12: 18 kg/m W6x12 W6x15: 22.5 kg/m W6x15 W6x16: 24 kg/m W6x16 W6x20: 29.8 kg/m W6x20 W6x25: 37.1 kg/m W6x25 kg/m

Next lighter: W6x8.5 (13 kg/m). Next heavier: W6x12 (18 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.

Sectionkg/mIx (cm⁴)Zx (cm³)Zx per kg/m
W6x8.5 13.0062083.6 6.43
W6x9 13.5068391.1 6.75
W6x12 18.00920120.0 6.67
W6x15 22.501,210159.0 7.07
W6x16 24.001,340167.0 6.96

Full table: W-shape (wide flange) beam chart (PDF).

How the weight is calculated

Mass per metre = cross-sectional area × density of steel = 17.30 cm² × 0.785 kg/(cm²·m) = 13.58 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

Beams of this shape are used as floor and roof beams, lintels, crane girders and frame members, where bending about the strong axis governs.

Steel I-beams being erected as bridge girders over a highway
Photo: MassDOT, Wikimedia Commons, public domain.

Frequently asked questions

What is the weight of W6x9 per metre?

W6x9 weighs 13.5 kg/m, which is 9.00 lb/ft.

How much does a 6 m or 12 m length of W6x9 weigh?

A 6 m length weighs about 81.0 kg and a 12 m length about 162.0 kg.

What is the equivalent of W6x9 in other standards?

By depth and weight the closest match is ISMB 150 (14.96 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.