HSS8x4x1/4 — Dimensions, Weight & Section Properties
Hollow structural section per ASTM A500 / AISC Steel Construction Manual
HSS8x4x1/4 is an American hollow structural section (HSS) 8×4 inches (203.2×101.6 mm) with a nominal 0.25 in wall, weighing 19.02 pounds per foot (28.3 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.
HSS8x4x1/4: cross-section drawn to scale from the AISC dimensions (8 × 4 × 0.25 in)Dimensions
| Height h | 8 in (203.2 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 | 19.02 lb/ft (28.3 kg/m) |
| 20 ft bar | 380 lb |
| 40 ft bar | 761 lb |
| Area A | 5.24 in² (33.8 cm²) |
Section Properties (strong / weak axis)
| Moment of inertia Ix | 42.5 in⁴ (1,769 cm⁴) |
| Section modulus Sx | 10.6 in³ (174 cm³) |
| Radius of gyration rx | 2.85 in |
| Moment of inertia Iy | 14.4 in⁴ (599 cm⁴) |
| Section modulus Sy | 7.21 in³ (118 cm³) |
| Radius of gyration ry | 1.66 in |
Compared with the neighbouring sizes
| Shape | h × b (in) | lb/ft | Ix (in⁴) | Sx (in³) | Δ weight | Δ Ix |
|---|
| HSS8x4x1/4 (this page) | 8 × 4 | 19.02 | 42.5 | 10.6 | — | — |
| HSS8x4x3/8 | 8 × 4 | 27.48 | 58.7 | 14.7 | +44 % | +38 % |
Deflection example
A simply supported HSS8x4x1/4 spanning 13 ft with a 10 kip point load at midspan deflects 0.64 in (E = 29,000 ksi, Ix = 42.5 in⁴). The L/360 serviceability limit for this span is 0.43 in — the shape does NOT pass this quick check.
Calculate with your own span and load →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a HSS8x4x1/4 tube weigh?
HSS8x4x1/4 weighs 19.02 pounds per foot (28.3 kg/m). A 20 ft bar weighs 380 lb and a 40 ft bar 761 lb.
What are the dimensions of a HSS8x4x1/4?
HSS8x4x1/4 is 8×4 in (203.2×101.6 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 HSS8x4x1/4 in mm?
HSS8x4x1/4 is 203.2×101.6 mm outside with a nominal wall of 6.4 mm. In metric section properties: Ix = 1,769 cm⁴, Sx = 174 cm³.
How much does a HSS8x4x1/4 weigh in kg?
28.3 kg per meter. A 6 m bar weighs 170 kg and a 12 m bar 340 kg — handy when ordering US shapes from metric suppliers.
What is the moment of inertia of a HSS8x4x1/4?
About the strong axis, Ix = 42.5 in⁴ (1,769 cm⁴) with section modulus Sx = 10.6 in³. About the weak axis, Iy = 14.4 in⁴ and Sy = 7.21 in³. Use the beam deflection calculator to turn these into deflection and stress for your span and load.
HSS8x4x1/4 or HSS8x4x3/8 — what does one size up change?
HSS8x4x3/8 is about 44% heavier (27.48 vs 19.02 lb/ft) but about 38% stiffer (Ix 58.7 vs 42.5 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