L3x3x1/4 — Dimensions, Weight & Section Properties
Steel angle (L-shape) per ASTM A6 / AISC Steel Construction Manual
L3x3x1/4 is a hot-rolled steel angle with equal 3 in (76.2 mm) legs, 0.25 in thick, weighing 4.9 pounds per foot (7.3 kg/m). All values below are the standard AISC published section properties, with metric equivalents alongside.
Typical uses: bracing, lintels, shelf supports, frames, and connection material. Angles are weak about their minor axis — long unbraced angles need lateral restraint. For a quick check, see the deflection example below or open the beam calculator.
Dimensions
| Long leg | 3 in (76.2 mm) |
| Equal leg | 3 in (76.2 mm) |
| Thickness t | 0.25 in (6.4 mm) |
Weight & Cross-Section
| Weight per foot | 4.9 lb/ft (7.3 kg/m) |
| 20 ft bar | 98 lb |
| 40 ft bar | 196 lb |
| Area A | 1.44 in² (9.3 cm²) |
Section Properties (strong / weak axis)
| Moment of inertia Ix | 1.23 in⁴ (51 cm⁴) |
| Section modulus Sx | 0.57 in³ (9 cm³) |
| Radius of gyration rx | 0.93 in |
| Moment of inertia Iy | 1.23 in⁴ (51 cm⁴) |
| Section modulus Sy | 0.57 in³ (9 cm³) |
| Radius of gyration ry | 0.93 in |
Compared with the neighbouring sizes
| Shape | legs (in) | lb/ft | Ix (in⁴) | Sx (in³) | Δ weight | Δ Ix |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L3x3x3/16 | 3 × 3 | 3.71 | 0.95 | 0.43 | −24 % | −23 % |
| L3x3x1/4 (this page) | 3 × 3 | 4.9 | 1.23 | 0.57 | — | — |
| L3x3x5/16 | 3 × 3 | 6.1 | 1.5 | 0.7 | +24 % | +22 % |
Deflection example
A simply supported L3x3x1/4 spanning 5 ft with a 10 kip point load at midspan deflects 1.26 in (E = 29,000 ksi, Ix = 1.23 in⁴). The L/360 serviceability limit for this span is 0.17 in — the shape does NOT pass this quick check.
Calculate with your own span and load →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a L3x3x1/4 angle weigh?
L3x3x1/4 weighs 4.9 pounds per foot (7.3 kg/m). A 20 ft bar weighs 98 lb and a 40 ft bar 196 lb.
What are the dimensions of a L3x3x1/4?
L3x3x1/4 has two equal 3 in (76.2 mm) legs, both 0.25 in thick. Angle legs are measured outside-to-outside, and both legs share the same thickness.
What are the dimensions of a L3x3x1/4 in mm?
L3x3x1/4 has two equal 76.2 mm legs, 6.4 mm thick. In metric section properties: Ix = 51 cm⁴, Sx = 9 cm³.
How much does a L3x3x1/4 weigh in kg?
7.3 kg per meter. A 6 m bar weighs 44 kg and a 12 m bar 88 kg — handy when ordering US shapes from metric suppliers.
What is the moment of inertia of a L3x3x1/4?
About the strong axis, Ix = 1.23 in⁴ (51 cm⁴) with section modulus Sx = 0.57 in³. About the weak axis, Iy = 1.23 in⁴ and Sy = 0.57 in³. Use the beam deflection calculator to turn these into deflection and stress for your span and load.
L3x3x1/4 or L3x3x5/16 — what does one size up change?
L3x3x5/16 is about 24% heavier (6.1 vs 4.9 lb/ft) but about 22% stiffer (Ix 1.5 vs 1.23 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