HSS12x8x1/2 — Dimensions, Weight & Section Properties
Hollow structural section per ASTM A500 / AISC Steel Construction Manual
HSS12x8x1/2 is an American hollow structural section (HSS) 12×8 inches (304.8×203.2 mm) with a nominal 0.5 in wall, weighing 62.46 pounds per foot (93 kg/m). Section properties below are the AISC published values, computed with the A500 design wall thickness of 0.93×nominal — with metric equivalents alongside.
Typical uses: columns, braces, truss members, equipment frames, and architectural steel — closed sections excel in compression and torsion and take paint beautifully. For a quick stiffness check, see the deflection example below or open the beam calculator with your own span and load.
Dimensions
| Height h | 12 in (304.8 mm) |
| Width b | 8 in (203.2 mm) |
| Nominal wall t | 0.5 in (12.7 mm) |
| Design wall (0.93t) | 0.465 in (11.8 mm) |
Weight & Cross-Section
| Weight per foot | 62.46 lb/ft (93 kg/m) |
| 20 ft bar | 1,249 lb |
| 40 ft bar | 2,498 lb |
| Area A | 17.2 in² (111 cm²) |
Section Properties (strong / weak axis)
| Moment of inertia Ix | 333 in⁴ (13,860 cm⁴) |
| Section modulus Sx | 55.6 in³ (911 cm³) |
| Radius of gyration rx | 4.4 in |
| Moment of inertia Iy | 178 in⁴ (7,409 cm⁴) |
| Section modulus Sy | 44.4 in³ (728 cm³) |
| Radius of gyration ry | 3.21 in |
Compared with the neighbouring sizes
| Shape | h × b (in) | lb/ft | Ix (in⁴) | Sx (in³) | Δ weight | Δ Ix |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HSS12x8x1/2 (this page) | 12 × 8 | 62.46 | 333 | 55.6 | — | — |
Deflection example
A simply supported HSS12x8x1/2 spanning 19 ft with a 10 kip point load at midspan deflects 0.26 in (E = 29,000 ksi, Ix = 333 in⁴). The L/360 serviceability limit for this span is 0.63 in — the shape passes this quick check.
Calculate with your own span and load →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a HSS12x8x1/2 tube weigh?
HSS12x8x1/2 weighs 62.46 pounds per foot (93 kg/m). A 20 ft bar weighs 1,249 lb and a 40 ft bar 2,498 lb.
What are the dimensions of a HSS12x8x1/2?
HSS12x8x1/2 is 12×8 in (304.8×203.2 mm) outside, with a nominal wall of 0.5 in. Note that A500 tolerances put the design wall at 0.93×nominal (0.465 in) — the section properties listed already account for this.
What are the dimensions of a HSS12x8x1/2 in mm?
HSS12x8x1/2 is 304.8×203.2 mm outside with a nominal wall of 12.7 mm. In metric section properties: Ix = 13,860 cm⁴, Sx = 911 cm³.
How much does a HSS12x8x1/2 weigh in kg?
93 kg per meter. A 6 m bar weighs 558 kg and a 12 m bar 1,115 kg — handy when ordering US shapes from metric suppliers.
What is the moment of inertia of a HSS12x8x1/2?
About the strong axis, Ix = 333 in⁴ (13,860 cm⁴) with section modulus Sx = 55.6 in³. About the weak axis, Iy = 178 in⁴ and Sy = 44.4 in³. Use the beam deflection calculator to turn these into deflection and stress for your span and load.
Values are entered from the governing standard’s published tables and cross-checked programmatically against its mass and section formulas before publication. Spotted an error? Write to advertising@metalabout.net — verified corrections ship within days. About