HSS5x3x3/8 — Dimensions, Weight & Section Properties
Hollow structural section per ASTM A500 / AISC Steel Construction Manual
HSS5x3x3/8 is an American hollow structural section (HSS) 5×3 inches (127×76.2 mm) with a nominal 0.375 in wall, weighing 17.27 pounds per foot (25.7 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 | 5 in (127 mm) |
| Width b | 3 in (76.2 mm) |
| Nominal wall t | 0.375 in (9.5 mm) |
| Design wall (0.93t) | 0.349 in (8.9 mm) |
Weight & Cross-Section
| Weight per foot | 17.27 lb/ft (25.7 kg/m) |
| 20 ft bar | 345 lb |
| 40 ft bar | 691 lb |
| Area A | 4.78 in² (30.8 cm²) |
Section Properties (strong / weak axis)
| Moment of inertia Ix | 13.2 in⁴ (549 cm⁴) |
| Section modulus Sx | 5.27 in³ (86 cm³) |
| Radius of gyration rx | 1.66 in |
| Moment of inertia Iy | 5.85 in⁴ (243 cm⁴) |
| Section modulus Sy | 3.9 in³ (64 cm³) |
| Radius of gyration ry | 1.11 in |
Compared with the neighbouring sizes
| Shape | h × b (in) | lb/ft | Ix (in⁴) | Sx (in³) | Δ weight | Δ Ix |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HSS5x3x1/4 | 5 × 3 | 12.21 | 10.2 | 4.09 | −29 % | −23 % |
| HSS5x3x3/8 (this page) | 5 × 3 | 17.27 | 13.2 | 5.27 | — | — |
Deflection example
A simply supported HSS5x3x3/8 spanning 8 ft with a 10 kip point load at midspan deflects 0.48 in (E = 29,000 ksi, Ix = 13.2 in⁴). The L/360 serviceability limit for this span is 0.27 in — the shape does NOT pass this quick check.
Calculate with your own span and load →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a HSS5x3x3/8 tube weigh?
HSS5x3x3/8 weighs 17.27 pounds per foot (25.7 kg/m). A 20 ft bar weighs 345 lb and a 40 ft bar 691 lb.
What are the dimensions of a HSS5x3x3/8?
HSS5x3x3/8 is 5×3 in (127×76.2 mm) outside, with a nominal wall of 0.375 in. Note that A500 tolerances put the design wall at 0.93×nominal (0.349 in) — the section properties listed already account for this.
What are the dimensions of a HSS5x3x3/8 in mm?
HSS5x3x3/8 is 127×76.2 mm outside with a nominal wall of 9.5 mm. In metric section properties: Ix = 549 cm⁴, Sx = 86 cm³.
How much does a HSS5x3x3/8 weigh in kg?
25.7 kg per meter. A 6 m bar weighs 154 kg and a 12 m bar 308 kg — handy when ordering US shapes from metric suppliers.
What is the moment of inertia of a HSS5x3x3/8?
About the strong axis, Ix = 13.2 in⁴ (549 cm⁴) with section modulus Sx = 5.27 in³. About the weak axis, Iy = 5.85 in⁴ and Sy = 3.9 in³. Use the beam deflection calculator to turn these into deflection and stress for your span and load.
HSS5x3x3/8 or HSS5x3x1/4 — what does one size down change?
HSS5x3x1/4 is about 29% lighter (12.21 vs 17.27 lb/ft) but about 23% less stiff (Ix 10.2 vs 13.2 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