HSS4x2x1/4 — Dimensions, Weight & Section Properties
Hollow structural section per ASTM A500 / AISC Steel Construction Manual
HSS4x2x1/4 is an American hollow structural section (HSS) 4×2 inches (101.6×50.8 mm) with a nominal 0.25 in wall, weighing 8.81 pounds per foot (13.1 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 | 4 in (101.6 mm) |
| Width b | 2 in (50.8 mm) |
| Nominal wall t | 0.25 in (6.4 mm) |
| Design wall (0.93t) | 0.233 in (5.9 mm) |
Weight & Cross-Section
| Weight per foot | 8.81 lb/ft (13.1 kg/m) |
| 20 ft bar | 176 lb |
| 40 ft bar | 352 lb |
| Area A | 2.44 in² (15.7 cm²) |
Section Properties (strong / weak axis)
| Moment of inertia Ix | 4.69 in⁴ (195 cm⁴) |
| Section modulus Sx | 2.35 in³ (39 cm³) |
| Radius of gyration rx | 1.39 in |
| Moment of inertia Iy | 1.54 in⁴ (64 cm⁴) |
| Section modulus Sy | 1.54 in³ (25 cm³) |
| Radius of gyration ry | 0.79 in |
Compared with the neighbouring sizes
| Shape | h × b (in) | lb/ft | Ix (in⁴) | Sx (in³) | Δ weight | Δ Ix |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HSS4x2x3/16 | 4 × 2 | 6.87 | 3.87 | 1.93 | −22 % | −17 % |
| HSS4x2x1/4 (this page) | 4 × 2 | 8.81 | 4.69 | 2.35 | — | — |
Deflection example
A simply supported HSS4x2x1/4 spanning 6 ft with a 10 kip point load at midspan deflects 0.57 in (E = 29,000 ksi, Ix = 4.69 in⁴). The L/360 serviceability limit for this span is 0.2 in — the shape does NOT pass this quick check.
Calculate with your own span and load →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a HSS4x2x1/4 tube weigh?
HSS4x2x1/4 weighs 8.81 pounds per foot (13.1 kg/m). A 20 ft bar weighs 176 lb and a 40 ft bar 352 lb.
What are the dimensions of a HSS4x2x1/4?
HSS4x2x1/4 is 4×2 in (101.6×50.8 mm) outside, with a nominal wall of 0.25 in. Note that A500 tolerances put the design wall at 0.93×nominal (0.233 in) — the section properties listed already account for this.
What are the dimensions of a HSS4x2x1/4 in mm?
HSS4x2x1/4 is 101.6×50.8 mm outside with a nominal wall of 6.4 mm. In metric section properties: Ix = 195 cm⁴, Sx = 39 cm³.
How much does a HSS4x2x1/4 weigh in kg?
13.1 kg per meter. A 6 m bar weighs 79 kg and a 12 m bar 157 kg — handy when ordering US shapes from metric suppliers.
What is the moment of inertia of a HSS4x2x1/4?
About the strong axis, Ix = 4.69 in⁴ (195 cm⁴) with section modulus Sx = 2.35 in³. About the weak axis, Iy = 1.54 in⁴ and Sy = 1.54 in³. Use the beam deflection calculator to turn these into deflection and stress for your span and load.
HSS4x2x1/4 or HSS4x2x3/16 — what does one size down change?
HSS4x2x3/16 is about 22% lighter (6.87 vs 8.81 lb/ft) but about 17% less stiff (Ix 3.87 vs 4.69 in⁴). Check deflection before downsizing — stiffness falls much faster than weight.
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