HSS6x6x3/16 — Dimensions, Weight & Section Properties
Hollow structural section per ASTM A500 / AISC Steel Construction Manual
HSS6x6x3/16 is an American hollow structural section (HSS) 6×6 inches (152.4×152.4 mm) with a nominal 0.188 in wall, weighing 14.53 pounds per foot (21.6 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 | 6 in (152.4 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 | 14.53 lb/ft (21.6 kg/m) |
| 20 ft bar | 291 lb |
| 40 ft bar | 581 lb |
| Area A | 3.98 in² (25.7 cm²) |
Section Properties (strong / weak axis)
| Moment of inertia Ix | 22.3 in⁴ (928 cm⁴) |
| Section modulus Sx | 7.42 in³ (122 cm³) |
| Radius of gyration rx | 2.37 in |
| Moment of inertia Iy | 22.3 in⁴ (928 cm⁴) |
| Section modulus Sy | 7.42 in³ (122 cm³) |
| Radius of gyration ry | 2.37 in |
Compared with the neighbouring sizes
| Shape | h × b (in) | lb/ft | Ix (in⁴) | Sx (in³) | Δ weight | Δ Ix |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HSS6x6x3/16 (this page) | 6 × 6 | 14.53 | 22.3 | 7.42 | — | — |
| HSS6x6x1/4 | 6 × 6 | 19.02 | 28.6 | 9.54 | +31 % | +28 % |
Deflection example
A simply supported HSS6x6x3/16 spanning 10 ft with a 10 kip point load at midspan deflects 0.56 in (E = 29,000 ksi, Ix = 22.3 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 HSS6x6x3/16 tube weigh?
HSS6x6x3/16 weighs 14.53 pounds per foot (21.6 kg/m). A 20 ft bar weighs 291 lb and a 40 ft bar 581 lb.
What are the dimensions of a HSS6x6x3/16?
HSS6x6x3/16 is 6×6 in (152.4×152.4 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 HSS6x6x3/16 in mm?
HSS6x6x3/16 is 152.4×152.4 mm outside with a nominal wall of 4.8 mm. In metric section properties: Ix = 928 cm⁴, Sx = 122 cm³.
How much does a HSS6x6x3/16 weigh in kg?
21.6 kg per meter. A 6 m bar weighs 130 kg and a 12 m bar 259 kg — handy when ordering US shapes from metric suppliers.
What is the moment of inertia of a HSS6x6x3/16?
About the strong axis, Ix = 22.3 in⁴ (928 cm⁴) with section modulus Sx = 7.42 in³. About the weak axis, Iy = 22.3 in⁴ and Sy = 7.42 in³. Use the beam deflection calculator to turn these into deflection and stress for your span and load.
HSS6x6x3/16 or HSS6x6x1/4 — what does one size up change?
HSS6x6x1/4 is about 31% heavier (19.02 vs 14.53 lb/ft) but about 28% stiffer (Ix 28.6 vs 22.3 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