Axial stress
σ = P / A
P is axial load and A is the cross-sectional area of the angle.
Structural steel reference
American Steel Angles
Search American steel angle dimensions and section properties in imperial units for bracing, frames, supports, connections, and fabrication checks.
Angle lookup
Select an L-angle designation
Choose a steel angle to surface its leg dimensions, thickness, weight, area, and section properties.
Selected section
Reference table
Steel angle dimensions and properties chart
| Designation | Legs (in) | Thickness t (in) | Weight (lb/ft) | Area (in2) | Ix (in4) | Iy (in4) | Zx (in3) | Zy (in3) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L2x2x1/4 | 2 x 2 | 0.25 | 2.5 | 0.73 | 0.18 | 0.18 | 0.18 | 0.18 |
| L3x3x1/4 | 3 x 3 | 0.25 | 3.9 | 1.14 | 0.56 | 0.56 | 0.37 | 0.37 |
| L4x3x1/4 | 4 x 3 | 0.25 | 5 | 1.46 | 1.12 | 0.56 | 0.56 | 0.37 |
| L5x3x3/8 | 5 x 3 | 0.375 | 7.2 | 2.1 | 2.3 | 1.02 | 0.92 | 0.68 |
| L6x4x1/2 | 6 x 4 | 0.5 | 11 | 3.2 | 4.8 | 2.5 | 1.6 | 1.25 |
Formulas
Common steel angle section relationships
Bending stress
σ = M / Z
M is bending moment and Z is the section modulus about the axis being checked.
Slenderness
KL / r
K is effective length factor, L is unbraced length, and r is radius of gyration.
Connection bearing
σ = P / (t d)
t is angle thickness and d is bearing diameter or projected contact length.
Definitions
What the L-angle properties mean
Designation
L indicates a steel angle. The numbers usually list leg lengths and thickness in inches.
Legs
The two perpendicular sides of the angle. Equal-leg and unequal-leg angles behave differently in bending and connection design.
Ix, Iy
Moments of inertia about the listed axes. They describe bending stiffness and are used in deflection checks.
Zx, Zy
Section modulus values about each axis. They are used to estimate bending stress.
FAQ
Steel angle questions
What does an L-angle designation mean?
A designation such as L4x3x1/4 means an angle with 4 inch and 3 inch legs and a 1/4 inch thickness.
Where are steel angles commonly used?
Steel angles are often used for bracing, frames, platforms, towers, supports, truss members, and connection details.
Can this angle chart replace the AISC Steel Construction Manual?
No. Use this page for quick reference and early comparison. Final design should use current AISC data, governing codes, and project requirements.
Related
Structural reference resources
American Steel Channels Dimensions and Properties
Imperial C channel dimensions and section properties.
American Wide Flange Steel Beams Dimensions and Properties
Imperial W beam dimensions and section properties.
Hollow Structural Section Dimensions and Properties
Imperial HSS tube dimensions and section properties.