W6x15 is a rolled structural beam with wide flanges that is used in construction and other applications.
Table of Contents
W6x15 Beam Size and Dimensions
The dimensions and specifications of this structural steel beam are below:
Depth | 5.99 in |
Width | 5.99 in |
Area | 4.4 in2 |
Weight | 15 lb/ft |
Web Thickness | 0.23 in |
Flange Thickness | 0.26 in |
Area Moment of Inertia | 28.7 in4 |
Elastic Section Modulus | 10 in3 |
W6x15 Profile

The depth of W6x15 beams may vary by 1/8” above and below the nominal value.
The flange width may vary by 1/4” above nominal and 3/16” below nominal. Flanges may be out of square by as much as 5/16”.
The distance from the center of the web to the center of the profile may be no greater than 3/16”.
The radii of fillets and toes for W-beams are not specified. Instead, these dimensions are left up to individual manufacturers.
W6x15 Weight
Wide flange beams are designated by their depth x weight. The W6x15 designation indicates that the beam weighs 15 pounds per foot. A 10-foot section of W6x15 would weigh 150 pounds and a 50-foot section of W6x15 would weigh 750 pounds.
W6x15 Conversion to Metric
The metric equivalent to W6x15 is W150x22.5. This metric beam has the following specifications:
Depth | 152 mm |
Width | 152 mm |
Area | 2860 mm2 |
Weight | 22.5 kg/m |
Web Thickness | 5.8 mm |
Flange Thickness | 6.6 mm |
W6x15 Section Properties
W6x15 Area Moment of Inertia
The area moment of inertia (or second moment area) for a W6x15 beam about the x-axis (perpendicular to the flange) can be calculated from the equation below:

The area moment of inertia of the W6x15 profile about the x-axis is approximately 28.7 in4.
W6x15 Section Modulus
The elastic section modulus for a W6x15 beam about the X-axis is calculated from the following equation:

The elastic section modulus for the W6x15 profile about the X-axis is approximately 10 in3.
W6x15 Properties
The properties of W6x15 beams are specified by ASTM A6 “Standard Specifications for Rolled Structural Steel Bars, Plates, Shapes and Sheet Piling”