W24 Beam Sizes Chart: Weights & Dimensions
The AISC W24 series has 21 sections, from the W24X55 at 55 lb/ft to the W24X370 at 370 lb/ft. Every W24 is roughly 24 inches deep (23.6 to 28.0 in actual), with flanges in three width groups: about 7 in, about 9 in, and about 13 in. W24s show up as floor girders, transfer beams and long-span roof beams.
The full chart is below with weight, depth, flange and web dimensions, area, and the weight of a 40-foot piece. Each size links to its page in the steel shapes reference. After the chart: how W24s compare with W21s and W27s, what they weigh to handle, when camber shows up, and how to price them.
W24 beam sizes chart (all 21 AISC sections)
Dimensions are from the AISC shape tables, consistent with the AISC Shapes Database v16.0. Metric weight is lb/ft x 1.488. The 40-ft column is simply lb/ft x 40, before connection material.
| Section | Weight (lb/ft) | Weight (kg/m) | Depth d (in) | Flange width bf (in) | Flange thk tf (in) | Web thk tw (in) | Area (in²) | 40-ft piece (lb) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W24X55 | 55 | 81.8 | 23.6 | 7.01 | 0.505 | 0.395 | 16.2 | 2,200 |
| W24X62 | 62 | 92.3 | 23.7 | 7.04 | 0.590 | 0.430 | 18.2 | 2,480 |
| W24X68 | 68 | 101.2 | 23.7 | 8.97 | 0.585 | 0.415 | 20.1 | 2,720 |
| W24X76 | 76 | 113.1 | 23.9 | 8.99 | 0.680 | 0.440 | 22.4 | 3,040 |
| W24X84 | 84 | 125.0 | 24.1 | 9.02 | 0.770 | 0.470 | 24.7 | 3,360 |
| W24X94 | 94 | 139.9 | 24.3 | 9.07 | 0.875 | 0.515 | 27.7 | 3,760 |
| W24X103 | 103 | 153.3 | 24.5 | 9.00 | 0.980 | 0.550 | 30.3 | 4,120 |
| W24X104 | 104 | 154.8 | 24.1 | 12.8 | 0.750 | 0.500 | 30.6 | 4,160 |
| W24X117 | 117 | 174.1 | 24.3 | 12.8 | 0.850 | 0.550 | 34.4 | 4,680 |
| W24X131 | 131 | 194.9 | 24.5 | 12.9 | 0.960 | 0.605 | 38.5 | 5,240 |
| W24X146 | 146 | 217.2 | 24.7 | 12.9 | 1.09 | 0.650 | 43.0 | 5,840 |
| W24X162 | 162 | 241.1 | 25.0 | 13.0 | 1.22 | 0.705 | 47.7 | 6,480 |
| W24X176 | 176 | 261.9 | 25.2 | 12.9 | 1.34 | 0.750 | 51.7 | 7,040 |
| W24X192 | 192 | 285.7 | 25.5 | 13.0 | 1.46 | 0.810 | 56.3 | 7,680 |
| W24X207 | 207 | 308.0 | 25.7 | 13.0 | 1.57 | 0.870 | 60.7 | 8,280 |
| W24X229 | 229 | 340.8 | 26.0 | 13.1 | 1.73 | 0.960 | 67.2 | 9,160 |
| W24X250 | 250 | 372.0 | 26.3 | 13.2 | 1.89 | 1.04 | 73.5 | 10,000 |
| W24X279 | 279 | 415.2 | 26.7 | 13.3 | 2.09 | 1.16 | 82.0 | 11,160 |
| W24X306 | 306 | 455.3 | 27.1 | 13.4 | 2.28 | 1.26 | 89.9 | 12,240 |
| W24X335 | 335 | 498.5 | 27.5 | 13.5 | 2.48 | 1.38 | 98.4 | 13,400 |
| W24X370 | 370 | 550.6 | 28.0 | 13.7 | 2.72 | 1.52 | 109 | 14,800 |
If you're counting W24 girders across a full plan set, upload the drawings to SteelFlo and every W24 callout gets boxed and counted, so none slip through between levels. The first 3 takeoffs are free.
How are the W24 sizes grouped?
Read the flange width column and the W24 series splits into three families. Within each family the mill keeps the same rolls and varies the thickness, so depth creeps up as the section gets heavier.
| Family | Sections | Flange width | Typical role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Narrow flange | W24X55, W24X62 | about 7 in | Lighter floor girders, roof beams where lateral bracing is close |
| Medium flange | W24X68 to W24X103 | about 9 in | The workhorse girders; W24X68 and W24X76 are very common |
| Wide flange | W24X104 to W24X370 | about 13 in | Heavy girders, transfer beams, moment frame beams |
Watch the W24X103 and W24X104. They're 1 lb/ft apart, but the X103 has a 9-in flange and the X104 has a 12.8-in flange. If a callout is hard to read or a drafter fat-fingered a digit, you can end up ordering the wrong family. The tonnage barely changes, but connections, fireproofing and fit-up all do. When a drawing shows either one, check the detail sections to confirm the flange width.
The heavy end (W24X162 and up) behaves more like a column shape than a beam. Depth grows to 28 in on the W24X370 and the flange gets 2.72 in thick. Those sizes show up in transfer girders and heavy industrial work, and they're not always stocked by service centers, so check availability early.
W24 vs W21 vs W27: where does each fit?
On a typical office or retail floor, depth is driven by span. A common estimating rule of thumb for simply supported floor beams is a span-to-depth ratio of around 20 to 24, so a 24-in deep beam suits spans in the 40 to 48 ft range. That's a rule of thumb for estimating and budgeting only. The engineer of record sizes members, and loads, deflection limits, vibration and composite action all change the answer.
| Series | Lightest section | Common span range (rule of thumb) | Where you see it |
|---|---|---|---|
| W21 | W21X44 | about 35 to 42 ft | Office floor beams, shorter girders |
| W24 | W24X55 | about 40 to 48 ft | Floor girders, long-span beams, transfer beams |
| W27 | W27X84 | about 45 to 54 ft | Long girders, parking structures, heavier floors |
The jump in minimum weight is worth knowing. The lightest W27 is 84 lb/ft, while the W24 starts at 55. When an engineer needs about 24 in of depth but not much strength, a W24X55 or W24X62 is a lot less steel than any W27.
Ceiling plenum height often decides between W21 and W24. If the architect is fighting for every inch, expect W21s with heavier weights, or W24s with web penetrations for ductwork. Either one adds fab cost that doesn't show up in tonnage.
For the wider picture across all depths, see our wide flange beam sizes guide. For the column side of the frame, the W14 column sizes chart covers the shapes W24 girders usually frame into.
What does a 40-foot W24 weigh?
Piece weight is lb/ft times length. A W24X68 girder 40 ft long:
68 lb/ft x 40 ft = 2,720 lb
Add connection material. A W24 girder with shear tabs or clip angles at each end might carry another 40 to 100 lb of plate and bolts, depending on the connection. For a full walk-through of the formula, see how to calculate steel beam weight.
Why this matters on the estimate:
- Crane picks. A W24X146 at 40 ft is 5,840 lb. A W24X370 at the same length is 14,800 lb, over 7 tons in one piece. That changes crane size and rigging time.
- Shipping. Trucks are limited by weight and length. Ten 40-ft W24X76s is 30,400 lb before dunnage.
- Shop handling. Heavy W24s need bigger cranes and more time per move in the shop. Fab hours per piece go up even though hours per ton may go down.
Do W24 girders need camber?
Often, on longer spans. Floor girders in the W24 range span far enough that dead load deflection becomes visible, and engineers frequently specify camber to offset it. You'll see it on plans as a callout like "C=3/4"" next to the member size, or in a beam schedule column.
Things to check on the takeoff:
- Count cambered pieces separately. Camber is a shop operation priced per piece, not per pound.
- Note the camber amount. Small cambers on short beams may not be practical, and the fabricator may raise it as a question.
- Look for camber in the general notes too ("camber all beams over 30 ft..."). Those notes are easy to miss.
Our beam camber estimating guide covers how to price it and when to ask the engineer about it.
How do you price W24s by the foot and ton?
Material price per foot is weight per foot times your current price per pound. Steel prices move, so treat these example inputs as placeholders and use your own mill or service center quote.
Example: your material cost is $0.70 per lb delivered (an example rate, not a market quote).
| Section | lb/ft | Material $/ft at $0.70/lb | 40-ft piece material |
|---|---|---|---|
| W24X55 | 55 | $38.50 | $1,540 |
| W24X68 | 68 | $47.60 | $1,904 |
| W24X84 | 84 | $58.80 | $2,352 |
| W24X104 | 104 | $72.80 | $2,912 |
| W24X146 | 146 | $102.20 | $4,088 |
Then add fabrication, paint or galvanizing, and erection. Those are usually priced per ton or per piece, and on simple girders they often add up to more than the material. If you track fab hours per ton by member type, W24 girders with simple connections tend to be efficient per ton because each piece is heavy relative to its connection work.
Stock lengths matter on W24s. A 46-ft girder ordered from 50-ft stock leaves a 4-ft drop of W24 at the price of W24. See steel stock lengths and nesting drops for how to plan around that.
For printed tables, the current reference is the 16th edition AISC Steel Construction Manual, released in 2023.
Material grade is usually ASTM A992 for W shapes in US building work. The ASTM A992 specification covers chemistry and strength. If the drawings call for something else, price it separately because it may not be a stock item.
You can run any of these numbers in the free steel weight calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the lightest W24 beam?
The W24X55 is the lightest W24 at 55 lb/ft. It's 23.6 in deep with a 7.01-in flange. It's a common choice where you need depth but not much strength.
How many W24 sizes are there?
AISC lists 21 W24 sections, from W24X55 to W24X370. They fall into three flange-width groups of about 7, 9 and 13 inches.
What does a W24X68 weigh per foot?
A W24X68 weighs 68 lb/ft, or about 101.2 kg/m. A 40-ft piece weighs 2,720 lb before connection material.
How far can a W24 beam span?
As a rough estimating guide, a W24 floor beam often spans about 40 to 48 ft based on a span-to-depth ratio near 20 to 24. Actual span depends on loads, deflection limits, vibration and composite design. The engineer of record sizes the member.
What is the difference between a W24X103 and a W24X104?
They weigh almost the same but have different flanges. The W24X103 has a 9-in flange and the W24X104 has a 12.8-in flange. Confirm which one the drawings mean before you order.
Is a W24 actually 24 inches deep?
Not exactly. Actual depth runs from 23.6 in on the W24X55 to 28.0 in on the W24X370. The "24" is a nominal depth group.
Bottom line
The W24 chart is easy to look up. Counting every W24 across a multi-level plan set is where the time goes, and where a missed girder costs you. Use the shape pages and the calculator for one-off checks. When a plan set has girders on every level, run it through SteelFlo and review a boxed count of every W24 instead of hunting for them page by page.