HSS4x4x1/4 — Dimensions, Weight & Section Properties
Hollow structural section per ASTM A500 / AISC Steel Construction Manual
HSS4x4x1/4 is an American hollow structural section (HSS) 4×4 inches (101.6×101.6 mm) with a nominal 0.25 in wall, weighing 12.21 pounds per foot (18.2 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 | 4 in (101.6 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 | 12.21 lb/ft (18.2 kg/m) |
| 20 ft bar | 244 lb |
| 40 ft bar | 488 lb |
| Area A | 3.37 in² (21.7 cm²) |
Section Properties (strong / weak axis)
| Moment of inertia Ix | 7.8 in⁴ (325 cm⁴) |
| Section modulus Sx | 3.9 in³ (64 cm³) |
| Radius of gyration rx | 1.52 in |
| Moment of inertia Iy | 7.8 in⁴ (325 cm⁴) |
| Section modulus Sy | 3.9 in³ (64 cm³) |
| Radius of gyration ry | 1.52 in |
Compared with the neighbouring sizes
| Shape | h × b (in) | lb/ft | Ix (in⁴) | Sx (in³) | Δ weight | Δ Ix |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HSS4x4x3/16 | 4 × 4 | 9.42 | 6.21 | 3.1 | −23 % | −20 % |
| HSS4x4x1/4 (this page) | 4 × 4 | 12.21 | 7.8 | 3.9 | — | — |
| HSS4x4x5/16 | 4 × 4 | 14.83 | 9.14 | 4.57 | +21 % | +17 % |
Deflection example
A simply supported HSS4x4x1/4 spanning 6 ft with a 10 kip point load at midspan deflects 0.34 in (E = 29,000 ksi, Ix = 7.8 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 HSS4x4x1/4 tube weigh?
HSS4x4x1/4 weighs 12.21 pounds per foot (18.2 kg/m). A 20 ft bar weighs 244 lb and a 40 ft bar 488 lb.
What are the dimensions of a HSS4x4x1/4?
HSS4x4x1/4 is 4×4 in (101.6×101.6 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 HSS4x4x1/4 in mm?
HSS4x4x1/4 is 101.6×101.6 mm outside with a nominal wall of 6.4 mm. In metric section properties: Ix = 325 cm⁴, Sx = 64 cm³.
How much does a HSS4x4x1/4 weigh in kg?
18.2 kg per meter. A 6 m bar weighs 109 kg and a 12 m bar 218 kg — handy when ordering US shapes from metric suppliers.
What is the moment of inertia of a HSS4x4x1/4?
About the strong axis, Ix = 7.8 in⁴ (325 cm⁴) with section modulus Sx = 3.9 in³. About the weak axis, Iy = 7.8 in⁴ and Sy = 3.9 in³. Use the beam deflection calculator to turn these into deflection and stress for your span and load.
HSS4x4x1/4 or HSS4x4x5/16 — what does one size up change?
HSS4x4x5/16 is about 21% heavier (14.83 vs 12.21 lb/ft) but about 17% stiffer (Ix 9.14 vs 7.8 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