Calculate ISMC channel weight per metre, kg per piece and total tonnes instantly. Supports all IS 808 ISMC standard sizes and full custom C-section dimensions — for Indian structural engineers, fabricators and procurement teams.
Select Standard ISMC for IS 808 sizes or Custom to enter your own C-section dimensions
Five straightforward steps for Indian engineers, quantity surveyors and fabricators
Select Standard ISMC (IS 808) if your drawing specifies a standard ISMC designation — the calculator fills in all dimensions automatically from the IS 808 table. Select Custom C-Section to enter your own depth, flange and thickness values for non-standard or imported channels.
In Standard mode, choose from ISMC 75 to ISMC 400. The info box above the form shows all section dimensions and the IS 808 published kg/m for instant reference. In Custom mode, enter depth (d), flange width (b), web thickness (tw) and flange thickness (tf) all in mm.
Type the piece length in metres (standard mill supply length is 6 m and 12 m) and the number of pieces. The calculator gives weight per piece, total weight in kg and total tonnes for freight and procurement planning.
Default is MS Steel (IS 2062, 7.85 g/cm³) — the standard for ISMC supply in India. Switch to Stainless or Aluminium for specialty channels. Use Custom Density (Custom mode) for any other alloy.
Six result boxes show kg/m, weight per piece, total kg, total tonnes, cross-section area and total length. Cross-check kg/m with the IS 808 reference table below to validate your inputs before submitting a BOQ or purchase order.
Add 5–8% cutting wastage to total weight for procurement. Channels cut to shorter lengths from 6 m or 12 m standard bars generate off-cuts. Factor this into your material order quantity to avoid project stoppages.
How cross-sectional area and weight per metre are calculated for a channel section
A C-section is treated as one vertical web rectangle plus two horizontal flange rectangles. Web height = d − 2×tf (to avoid double-counting corners). Area = web area + 2 × flange area.
Converting Area (mm²) to cm² and multiplying by 0.785 gives kg/m for steel in one step. This works because 1 cm² cross-section × 1 m length × 7.85 g/cm³ = 0.785 kg. The same formula applies for any density — just replace 0.785 with (density ÷ 10).
d=150, b=75, tw=5.7, tf=9.0 mm
Web = (150−18)×5.7 = 132×5.7 = 752.4 mm²
Flanges = 2×(75×9) = 1350 mm²
Area = 752.4+1350 = 2102.4 mm² = 21.02 cm²
kg/m = 21.02×0.785 = 16.50 kg/m ✓ (IS 808 = 16.8 kg/m incl. root radius)
IS 808 published kg/m values are slightly higher than the simple rectangle formula because they include fillet/root radius material at web–flange junctions. The difference is 1–4%. For preliminary estimation this calculator's rectangular formula is accurate; for precise structural design use IS 808 tabulated values directly.
Complete IS 808:1989 ISMC dimensions and weight per metre for all standard Indian channel sections
| Section | Depth d (mm) | Flange b (mm) | Web tw (mm) | Flange tf (mm) | Area (cm²) | kg/m (IS 808) | 6 m Bar (kg) | 12 m Bar (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ISMC 75 | 75 | 40 | 4.4 | 7.3 | 8.68 | 6.80 | 40.8 | 81.6 |
| ISMC 100 | 100 | 50 | 4.7 | 7.5 | 11.70 | 9.19 | 55.1 | 110.3 |
| ISMC 125 | 125 | 65 | 5.0 | 8.1 | 16.60 | 13.10 | 78.6 | 157.2 |
| ISMC 150 | 150 | 75 | 5.7 | 9.0 | 21.30 | 16.80 | 100.8 | 201.6 |
| ISMC 175 | 175 | 75 | 6.0 | 10.2 | 24.38 | 19.10 | 114.6 | 229.2 |
| ISMC 200 | 200 | 75 | 6.2 | 11.4 | 28.21 | 22.10 | 132.6 | 265.2 |
| ISMC 225 | 225 | 80 | 6.5 | 12.4 | 33.01 | 25.90 | 155.4 | 310.8 |
| ISMC 250 | 250 | 82 | 7.2 | 14.1 | 38.97 | 30.60 | 183.6 | 367.2 |
| ISMC 300 | 300 | 90 | 7.8 | 13.6 | 46.27 | 36.30 | 217.8 | 435.6 |
| ISMC 350 | 350 | 100 | 8.1 | 13.5 | 54.48 | 42.70 | 256.2 | 512.4 |
| ISMC 400 | 400 | 100 | 8.8 | 15.3 | 63.01 | 49.40 | 296.4 | 592.8 |
* Dimensions and kg/m per IS 808:1989 (Reaffirmed 2021) — Dimensions for Hot-Rolled Steel Beam, Column, Channel and Angle Sections. kg/m values include root/fillet radius. Area values are as published by BIS. 6 m and 12 m bar weights at IS 808 kg/m × length.
How much steel you get per metre of channel vs flat plate — useful for structural substitution and cost comparison
| ISMC Section | kg/m | Section Depth (mm) | Ix (cm⁴) | Zx (cm³) | Approx. Price/m (₹) 2026 | Common India Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ISMC 75 | 6.80 | 75 | 73.8 | 19.4 | ₹408 | Cable trays, light purlins, brackets |
| ISMC 100 | 9.19 | 100 | 187 | 37.3 | ₹551 | Purlins, shelf supports, machine frames |
| ISMC 125 | 13.10 | 125 | 416 | 66.6 | ₹786 | Secondary beams, mezzanine floors, purlins |
| ISMC 150 | 16.80 | 150 | 779 | 103 | ₹1,008 | Girt/purlin, roof trusses, industrial sheds |
| ISMC 175 | 19.10 | 175 | 1220 | 139 | ₹1,146 | Gantry columns, secondary structural beams |
| ISMC 200 | 22.10 | 200 | 1820 | 182 | ₹1,326 | Structural framing, portal frame girts |
| ISMC 225 | 25.90 | 225 | 2690 | 239 | ₹1,554 | Rigid frame members, heavy purlins |
| ISMC 250 | 30.60 | 250 | 3820 | 306 | ₹1,836 | Main structural beams, lintels, crane beams |
| ISMC 300 | 36.30 | 300 | 6360 | 424 | ₹2,178 | Bridge stringers, heavy industrial structures |
| ISMC 350 | 42.70 | 350 | 10010 | 572 | ₹2,562 | Heavy crane girders, transfer beams |
| ISMC 400 | 49.40 | 400 | 15100 | 755 | ₹2,964 | Major structural elements, retaining frames |
* Ix = moment of inertia about XX axis; Zx = elastic section modulus. Values from IS 808:1989. Approx. price at ₹60/kg (MS ISMC ex-Mumbai/Delhi April 2026) — actual rates vary with market. Cross-check with your supplier's current rate card. Add 18% GST (HSN 7216).
Where C-sections and ISMC channels are specified and used across India's construction and manufacturing sectors
ISMC 100 to ISMC 150 are the most widely used purlin sections for pre-engineered building (PEB) roof and wall girts across India's industrial parks, warehouses and logistics hubs. Specified per IS 800:2007 design code.
ISMC 125 to ISMC 200 form primary and secondary beams for industrial mezzanine floors in factories, warehouses and commercial buildings — supporting machinery, storage racks and operational loads across India.
ISMC 75 and ISMC 100 are standard supports for electrical cable tray systems in Indian power plants, refineries and large factories. Their open C-profile is ideal for bolting tray brackets without drilling flanges.
Indian Railways specifies ISMC sections for station platform frames, overhead equipment supports, signal gantries and bridge walkways. SAIL, Tata Steel and JSW Steel supply IS 808 certified ISMC for railway contracts.
Lightweight ISMC 75 and ISMC 100 are used as structural frames for heavy-duty industrial doors, roller shutter boxes, and window surrounds in Indian factories and commercial buildings where standard hollow sections are insufficient.
Back-to-back ISMC channels (welded or bolted) form fabricated beams and machine bases — a common practice in Indian machinery and heavy equipment manufacturing as a cost-effective alternative to universal beams (ISMB).
Practical guidance from Indian structural engineers and steel procurement professionals
Two ISMC 200 back-to-back (44.2 kg/m combined) can substitute for ISMB 200 (25.4 kg/m) where box section stiffness is needed, but at higher material cost. Use single ISMB where bending governs — use box ISMC where torsion is critical (e.g., monorail beams, crane girders under eccentric loads).
ISMC is supplied in 6 m and 12 m lengths from Indian mills (SAIL, Tata Steel, JSW). Specify 12 m bars where cutting waste is acceptable — 12 m bars are typically 1–2% cheaper per kg due to lower handling cost. Order off-cut friendly lengths (3 m, 4 m, 6 m) to minimise scrap.
Structural ISMC must be certified to both IS 808 (dimensional standard) and IS 2062 Grade E250 (material standard). Reject any structural channel supplied without a dual-certified mill test certificate — particularly for government, railway, and defence contracts where third-party inspection is mandatory.
Bundle weigh incoming ISMC consignments and divide by total length to get actual kg/m. Compare with IS 808 published value — tolerance per IS 808 is ±2.5% on weight per metre. Consistent under-weight supply (light gauge) indicates sub-standard material. Reject and raise an NCR if difference exceeds 2.5%.
ISMC is supplied in black (as-rolled) condition. Apply 1 coat of red-oxide primer (IS 102) immediately after receipt and before storing outdoors. In coastal zones, use epoxy primer + two-pack polyurethane topcoat. For hot-dip galvanised ISMC (HDG), add ₹18–22/kg for galvanising to your procurement budget.
Government project BOQs typically use CPWD-DSR 2023 rates for ISMC channels, which are based on IS 2062 / IS 808 certified material. When estimating at tender stage, check CPWD DSR Chapter 11 (Steel Works) for current approved rates in your state. Add 18% GST (HSN 7216) on material and contractor's overhead on labour.
Free structural steel and sheet metal weight tools for Indian engineers and fabricators
Common questions from Indian structural engineers, contractors and steel procurement teams