L6x4x1/2 — Dimensions, Weight & Section Properties
Steel angle (L-shape) per ASTM A6 / AISC Steel Construction Manual
L6x4x1/2 is a hot-rolled steel angle with a 6 in (152.4 mm) long leg and a 4 in (101.6 mm) short leg, 0.5 in thick, weighing 16.2 pounds per foot (24.1 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 | 6 in (152.4 mm) |
| Short leg | 4 in (101.6 mm) |
| Thickness t | 0.5 in (12.7 mm) |
Weight & Cross-Section
| Weight per foot | 16.2 lb/ft (24.1 kg/m) |
| 20 ft bar | 324 lb |
| 40 ft bar | 648 lb |
| Area A | 4.75 in² (30.6 cm²) |
Section Properties (strong / weak axis)
| Moment of inertia Ix | 17.3 in⁴ (720 cm⁴) |
| Section modulus Sx | 4.31 in³ (71 cm³) |
| Radius of gyration rx | 1.91 in |
| Moment of inertia Iy | 6.22 in⁴ (259 cm⁴) |
| Section modulus Sy | 2.06 in³ (34 cm³) |
| Radius of gyration ry | 1.14 in |
Compared with the neighbouring sizes
| Shape | legs (in) | lb/ft | Ix (in⁴) | Sx (in³) | Δ weight | Δ Ix |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L6x4x3/8 | 6 × 4 | 12.3 | 13.4 | 3.3 | −24 % | −23 % |
| L6x4x1/2 (this page) | 6 × 4 | 16.2 | 17.3 | 4.31 | — | — |
Deflection example
A simply supported L6x4x1/2 spanning 10 ft with a 10 kip point load at midspan deflects 0.72 in (E = 29,000 ksi, Ix = 17.3 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 L6x4x1/2 angle weigh?
L6x4x1/2 weighs 16.2 pounds per foot (24.1 kg/m). A 20 ft bar weighs 324 lb and a 40 ft bar 648 lb.
What are the dimensions of a L6x4x1/2?
L6x4x1/2 has a 6 in long leg and a 4 in short leg, both 0.5 in thick. Angle legs are measured outside-to-outside, and both legs share the same thickness.
What are the dimensions of a L6x4x1/2 in mm?
L6x4x1/2 has a 152.4 mm long leg and a 101.6 mm short leg, 12.7 mm thick. In metric section properties: Ix = 720 cm⁴, Sx = 71 cm³.
How much does a L6x4x1/2 weigh in kg?
24.1 kg per meter. A 6 m bar weighs 145 kg and a 12 m bar 289 kg — handy when ordering US shapes from metric suppliers.
What is the moment of inertia of a L6x4x1/2?
About the strong axis, Ix = 17.3 in⁴ (720 cm⁴) with section modulus Sx = 4.31 in³. About the weak axis, Iy = 6.22 in⁴ and Sy = 2.06 in³. Use the beam deflection calculator to turn these into deflection and stress for your span and load.
L6x4x1/2 or L6x4x3/8 — what does one size down change?
L6x4x3/8 is about 24% lighter (12.3 vs 16.2 lb/ft) but about 23% less stiff (Ix 13.4 vs 17.3 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