Steel Angles — L-Shape Size Chart
Hot-rolled equal and unequal leg angles per ASTM A6 / AISC
Angle designations read leg × leg × thickness: an L4x4x1/4 has two equal 4-inch legs, 1/4 in thick. This chart covers 23 equal-leg and 9 unequal-leg sizes — each linking to a full datasheet with metric conversions, bar weights, and section properties for both axes.
Angles are the everything-material of a fab shop: bracing, lintels, shelf supports, frames, clips, and connection material. Their weakness is the minor axis — an angle used as a long unbraced beam will twist and deflect sideways, so brace it or size it with real numbers, not feel. The deflection example on every size page gives you a fast reality check.
Equal leg angles (L2x2x1/8 – L8x8x3/4)
Unequal leg angles (L3x2x1/4 – L8x6x1/2)
| Shape | h (in) | b (in) | t (in) | lb/ft | kg/m | A (in²) | Ix (in⁴) | Sx (in³) | Iy (in⁴) |
|---|
| L3x2x1/4 | 3 | 2 | 0.25 | 4.1 | 6.1 | 1.19 | 1.08 | 0.54 | 0.39 |
| L4x3x1/4 | 4 | 3 | 0.25 | 5.8 | 8.6 | 1.69 | 2.75 | 0.99 | 1.33 |
| L4x3x3/8 | 4 | 3 | 0.375 | 8.5 | 12.6 | 2.48 | 3.94 | 1.44 | 1.89 |
| L5x3x1/4 | 5 | 3 | 0.25 | 6.6 | 9.8 | 1.94 | 5.09 | 1.51 | 1.41 |
| L6x4x3/8 | 6 | 4 | 0.375 | 12.3 | 18.3 | 3.61 | 13.4 | 3.3 | 4.86 |
| L6x4x1/2 | 6 | 4 | 0.5 | 16.2 | 24.1 | 4.75 | 17.3 | 4.31 | 6.22 |
| L7x4x1/2 | 7 | 4 | 0.5 | 17.9 | 26.6 | 5.25 | 26.6 | 5.79 | 6.48 |
| L8x4x1/2 | 8 | 4 | 0.5 | 19.6 | 29.2 | 5.75 | 38.6 | 7.48 | 6.75 |
| L8x6x1/2 | 8 | 6 | 0.5 | 23 | 34.2 | 6.75 | 44.3 | 8 | 21.7 |
Frequently asked questions
How do I read an angle designation like L4x3x3/8?
Long leg × short leg × thickness, in inches: a 4 in leg, a 3 in leg, both 3/8 in thick. Equal-leg angles repeat the number (L4x4x1/4). Weight is not in the designation — an L4x3x3/8 weighs 8.5 lb/ft.
What is the difference between angle iron and steel angle?
"Angle iron" is the shop name that stuck from the wrought-iron era — modern angles are hot-rolled structural steel (typically ASTM A36, Fy = 36 ksi). Same product, two names; every value in this chart is for steel.
How much weight can a steel angle hold?
It depends on span, load position, orientation, and lateral bracing — a single number would mislead. The honest quick path: pick a size, open its datasheet, and use the built-in deflection example or the beam calculator with your actual span and load. For anything structural, have an engineer verify.
Are American and European (EN 10056) angles the same?
Functionally yes, dimensionally no. US angles are imperial (L4x4 ≈ 102×102 mm); European equal angles come in metric sizes (L 100×100). Properties differ a few percent, so pick the table that matches your market and standard.
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