For many people, the terms Hollow Structural Section (HSS) and Tube Steel (TS) may sound interchangeable. After all, both refer to steel tubes with square, rectangular, or round cross-sections, right?Well, not quite.Although the terms are sometimes used interchangeably in casual conversation, they refer to distinct categories in the steel industry — each with its own standards, applications, and manufacturing specifications. Understanding the differences between HSS and traditional steel tubing (TS) is essential for engineers, fabricators, and contractors when selecting the right material for a project.