ASTM A500 Rectangular Tube Sizes

ASTM A500 rectangular tubing is a cold-formed carbon steel structural tube manufactured in accordance with the ASTM A500 standard. It is available in welded and seamless forms, with Grade B and Grade C being the most commonly used materials. Known for its high strength, excellent weldability, and dimensional accuracy, ASTM A500 rectangular tubing is widely used in structural frameworks, buildings, bridges, equipment frames, trailers, and other load-bearing applications. Standard sizes typically range from 1 × 2 inches to 12 × 8 inches, with larger custom sections available for heavy structural projects. If only wish to know the dimensions of rectangular tubes, you can consult the relevant information:Standard Rectangular Tube Size Table

What Is ASTM A500 Rectangular Tube?

ASTM A500 is the standard specification for cold-formed welded and seamless carbon steel structural tubing in square, rectangular, and round shapes.
Compared with conventional steel sections, ASTM A500 rectangular tubing provides:
Higher strength-to-weight ratio
Excellent weldability
Smooth surface finish
Consistent dimensions
Easy fabrication and machining
Lower structural weight

It has become the preferred structural steel tubing throughout North America.

ASTM A500 Rectangular Tube Grades

ASTM A500 includes several material grades.

Grade	Yield Strength	Tensile Strength	Common Applications
Grade A	33 ksi (228 MPa)	45 ksi	Light structural work
Grade B	46 ksi (317 MPa)	58 ksi	General structural applications
Grade C	50 ksi (345 MPa)	62 ksi	Heavy structural fabrication
Grade D*	Similar to Grade C	Heat treated	Special applications

ASTM A500 Rectangular Tube Sizes Overview

ASTM A500 rectangular tubes are widely used hollow structural sections (HSS) in North American steel construction. They are manufactured from carbon steel and commonly used for load-bearing structures, equipment frames, bridges, buildings, and industrial applications.
ASTM A500 rectangular tube sizes are specified by:
Outside width
Outside height
Wall thickness
Weight per foot
Steel grade
A typical size designation is:
ASTM A500 rectangular tube 6 × 4 × 0.250
which means:
Width: 6 inches
Height: 4 inches
Wall thickness: 0.250 inches
The correct tube size depends on structural loads, span length, design requirements, and application conditions.

ASTM A500 Rectangular Tube Size Range
ASTM A500 covers a wide range of rectangular HSS sizes for different structural requirements.
Common ASTM A500 rectangular tube dimensions include:

Size Range	Typical Applications
1 × 2 in to 3 × 4 in	Light frames, racks, handrails
4 × 2 in to 6 × 4 in	Equipment frames, platforms, structural supports
8 × 4 in to 12 × 6 in	Heavy structures, beams, columns
Above 12 in	Large industrial structures and special projects

According to ASTM A500 requirements, rectangular HSS can be produced in large dimensions depending on manufacturer capability and project specifications.

ASTM A500 Rectangular Tube Dimensions Chart

The following table shows common ASTM A500 rectangular tube sizes used in construction and fabrication.

Nominal Pipe Size		Outside Diameter (mm)	Nominal Wall Thickness Schedule
NPS	DN	OD	SCH 5	SCH 10	SCH 20	SCH 30	SCH Sth	SCH 40	SCH 60	SCH XS	SCH 80	SCH 100	SCH 120	SCH 140
1/8	6	10.3		1.24		1.45	1.73	1.73		2.41	2.41
1/4	8	13.7		1.65		1.85	2.24	2.24		3.02	3.02
3/8	10	17.1		1.65		1.85	2.31	2.31		3.2	3.2
1/2	15	21.3	1.65	2.11		2.41	2.77	2.77		3.73	3.73
3/4	20	26.7	1.65	2.11		2.41	2.87	2.87		3.91	3.91
1	25	33.4	1.65	2.77		2.9	3.38	3.38		4.55	4.55
1 1/4	32	42.2	1.65	2.77		2.97	3.56	3.56		4.85	4.85
1 1/2	40	48.3	1.65	2.77		3.18	3.68	3.68		5.08	5.08
2	50	60.3	1.65	2.77		3.18	3.91	3.91		5.54	5.54
2 1/2	65	73	2.11	3.05		4.78	5.16	5.16		7.01	7.01
3	80	88.9	2.11	3.05		4.78	5.49	5.49		7.62	7.62
3 1/2	90	101.6	2.11	3.05		4.78	5.74	5.74		8.08	8.08
4	100	114.3	2.11	3.05		4.78	6.02	6.02		8.56	8.56		11.13
5	125	141.3	2.77	3.4			6.55	6.55		9.53	9.53		12.7
6	150	168.3	2.77	3.4			7.11	7.11		10.97	10.97		14.27
8	200	219.1	2.77	3.76	6.35	7.04	8.18	8.18	10.31	12.7	12.7	15.09	18.26	20.62
10	250	273	3.4	4.19	6.35	7.8	9.27	9.27	12.7	12.7	15.09	18.26	21.44	25.4
12	300	323.8	3.96	4.57	6.35	8.38	9.53	10.31	14.27	12.7	17.48	21.44	25.4
14	350	355.6	3.96	6.35	7.92	9.53	9.53	11.13	15.09	12.7	19.05	23.83
16	400	406.4	4.19	6.35	7.92	9.53	9.53	12.7	16.66	12.7	21.44
18	450	457	4.19	6.35	7.92	11.13	9.53	14.27	19.05	12.7	23.83
20	500	508	4.78	6.35	9.53	12.7	9.53	15.09	20.62	12.7
22	550	559	4.78	6.35	9.53	12.7	9.53		22.23	12.7
24	600	610	5.54	6.35	9.53	14.27	9.53	17.48	24.61	12.7
26	650	660		7.92	12.7		9.53			12.7
28	700	711		7.92	12.7	15.88	9.53			12.7
30	750	762	6.35	7.92	12.7	15.88	9.53			12.7
32	800	813		7.92	12.7	15.88	9.53	17.48		12.7
34	850	864		7.92	12.7	15.88	9.53	17.48		12.7
36	900	914		7.92	12.7	15.88	9.53	19.05		12.7
38	950	965					9.53			12.7
40	1000	1016					9.53			12.7
42	1050	1067					9.53			12.7
44	1100	1118					9.53			12.7
46	1150	1168					9.53			12.7
48	1200	1219					9.53			12.7

Dimensions and weights may vary depending on ASTM A500 grade, manufacturing tolerances, and supplier specifications.

FAQ

What sizes are available for ASTM A500 rectangular tubing?
Standard sizes typically range from 2 × 1 inches up to 24 × 12 inches, with various wall thickness options. Many manufacturers also offer custom dimensions.

What is the most commonly used ASTM A500 grade?
ASTM A500 Grade B is the most widely used because it provides an excellent balance of strength, weldability, and cost.

Is ASTM A500 tubing welded or seamless?
ASTM A500 covers both welded and seamless structural tubing. However, welded rectangular tubing is far more common in commercial production.

Can ASTM A500 rectangular tubes be galvanized?
Yes. ASTM A500 rectangular tubes can be hot-dip galvanized, pre-galvanized, or finished with protective coatings to improve corrosion resistance.

How do I calculate the weight of ASTM A500 rectangular tubing?
Tube weight depends on the outside dimensions, wall thickness, steel density, and length. Manufacturers usually provide theoretical weight charts, or it can be calculated using the standard hollow section weight formula.

Read more related articles

Rectangular Tube Thickness Chart: Standard Wall Thickness Guide