HSS6x4x1/2 — Dimensions, Weight & Section Properties
Hollow structural section per ASTM A500 / AISC Steel Construction Manual
HSS6x4x1/2 is an American hollow structural section (HSS) 6×4 inches (152.4×101.6 mm) with a nominal 0.5 in wall, weighing 28.43 pounds per foot (42.3 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 | 6 in (152.4 mm) |
| Width b | 4 in (101.6 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 | 28.43 lb/ft (42.3 kg/m) |
| 20 ft bar | 569 lb |
| 40 ft bar | 1,137 lb |
| Area A | 7.88 in² (50.8 cm²) |
Section Properties (strong / weak axis)
| Moment of inertia Ix | 34 in⁴ (1,415 cm⁴) |
| Section modulus Sx | 11.3 in³ (185 cm³) |
| Radius of gyration rx | 2.08 in |
| Moment of inertia Iy | 17.8 in⁴ (741 cm⁴) |
| Section modulus Sy | 8.89 in³ (146 cm³) |
| Radius of gyration ry | 1.5 in |
Compared with the neighbouring sizes
| Shape | h × b (in) | lb/ft | Ix (in⁴) | Sx (in³) | Δ weight | Δ Ix |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HSS6x4x3/8 | 6 × 4 | 22.37 | 28.3 | 9.43 | −21 % | −17 % |
| HSS6x4x1/2 (this page) | 6 × 4 | 28.43 | 34 | 11.3 | — | — |
Deflection example
A simply supported HSS6x4x1/2 spanning 10 ft with a 10 kip point load at midspan deflects 0.37 in (E = 29,000 ksi, Ix = 34 in⁴). The L/360 serviceability limit for this span is 0.33 in — the shape does NOT pass this quick check.
Calculate with your own span and load →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a HSS6x4x1/2 tube weigh?
HSS6x4x1/2 weighs 28.43 pounds per foot (42.3 kg/m). A 20 ft bar weighs 569 lb and a 40 ft bar 1,137 lb.
What are the dimensions of a HSS6x4x1/2?
HSS6x4x1/2 is 6×4 in (152.4×101.6 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 HSS6x4x1/2 in mm?
HSS6x4x1/2 is 152.4×101.6 mm outside with a nominal wall of 12.7 mm. In metric section properties: Ix = 1,415 cm⁴, Sx = 185 cm³.
How much does a HSS6x4x1/2 weigh in kg?
42.3 kg per meter. A 6 m bar weighs 254 kg and a 12 m bar 508 kg — handy when ordering US shapes from metric suppliers.
What is the moment of inertia of a HSS6x4x1/2?
About the strong axis, Ix = 34 in⁴ (1,415 cm⁴) with section modulus Sx = 11.3 in³. About the weak axis, Iy = 17.8 in⁴ and Sy = 8.89 in³. Use the beam deflection calculator to turn these into deflection and stress for your span and load.
HSS6x4x1/2 or HSS6x4x3/8 — what does one size down change?
HSS6x4x3/8 is about 21% lighter (22.37 vs 28.43 lb/ft) but about 17% less stiff (Ix 28.3 vs 34 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