HSS4x2x3/16 — Dimensions, Weight & Section Properties
Hollow structural section per ASTM A500 / AISC Steel Construction Manual
HSS4x2x3/16 is an American hollow structural section (HSS) 4×2 inches (101.6×50.8 mm) with a nominal 0.188 in wall, weighing 6.87 pounds per foot (10.2 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 | 0.188 in (4.8 mm) |
| Design wall (0.93t) | 0.175 in (4.4 mm) |
Weight & Cross-Section
| Weight per foot | 6.87 lb/ft (10.2 kg/m) |
| 20 ft bar | 137 lb |
| 40 ft bar | 275 lb |
| Area A | 1.89 in² (12.2 cm²) |
Section Properties (strong / weak axis)
| Moment of inertia Ix | 3.87 in⁴ (161 cm⁴) |
| Section modulus Sx | 1.93 in³ (32 cm³) |
| Radius of gyration rx | 1.43 in |
| Moment of inertia Iy | 1.29 in⁴ (54 cm⁴) |
| Section modulus Sy | 1.29 in³ (21 cm³) |
| Radius of gyration ry | 0.83 in |
Compared with the neighbouring sizes
| Shape | h × b (in) | lb/ft | Ix (in⁴) | Sx (in³) | Δ weight | Δ Ix |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HSS4x2x3/16 (this page) | 4 × 2 | 6.87 | 3.87 | 1.93 | — | — |
| HSS4x2x1/4 | 4 × 2 | 8.81 | 4.69 | 2.35 | +28 % | +21 % |
Deflection example
A simply supported HSS4x2x3/16 spanning 6 ft with a 10 kip point load at midspan deflects 0.69 in (E = 29,000 ksi, Ix = 3.87 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 HSS4x2x3/16 tube weigh?
HSS4x2x3/16 weighs 6.87 pounds per foot (10.2 kg/m). A 20 ft bar weighs 137 lb and a 40 ft bar 275 lb.
What are the dimensions of a HSS4x2x3/16?
HSS4x2x3/16 is 4×2 in (101.6×50.8 mm) outside, with a nominal wall of 0.188 in. Note that A500 tolerances put the design wall at 0.93×nominal (0.175 in) — the section properties listed already account for this.
What are the dimensions of a HSS4x2x3/16 in mm?
HSS4x2x3/16 is 101.6×50.8 mm outside with a nominal wall of 4.8 mm. In metric section properties: Ix = 161 cm⁴, Sx = 32 cm³.
How much does a HSS4x2x3/16 weigh in kg?
10.2 kg per meter. A 6 m bar weighs 61 kg and a 12 m bar 123 kg — handy when ordering US shapes from metric suppliers.
What is the moment of inertia of a HSS4x2x3/16?
About the strong axis, Ix = 3.87 in⁴ (161 cm⁴) with section modulus Sx = 1.93 in³. About the weak axis, Iy = 1.29 in⁴ and Sy = 1.29 in³. Use the beam deflection calculator to turn these into deflection and stress for your span and load.
HSS4x2x3/16 or HSS4x2x1/4 — what does one size up change?
HSS4x2x1/4 is about 28% heavier (8.81 vs 6.87 lb/ft) but about 21% stiffer (Ix 4.69 vs 3.87 in⁴). Going one step up within the same depth group is usually the cheapest way to cut deflection.
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