Calculate lipped C-channel weight per metre and total weight by section size, thickness, length and quantity. Includes full weight chart for 75×50 to 300×75mm sections at 1.5mm to 3.2mm — India 2026 reference.
Choose a standard section from the table or enter custom dimensions — get weight per metre, total weight and cost estimate instantly
Weight per metre (kg/m) for lipped C-channel sections at 1.5mm, 2.0mm, 2.5mm, 3.0mm and 3.2mm thickness — click any row to load into calculator
| Section H×B×C (mm) | Depth H (mm) | Flange B (mm) | Lip C (mm) | 1.5mm (kg/m) | 2.0mm (kg/m) | 2.5mm (kg/m) | 3.0mm (kg/m) | 3.2mm (kg/m) | Wt/6m @2.0mm (kg) |
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Click any row to auto-fill the Standard Section calculator above.
* Weight calculated as: (H + 2B + 2C − 6t) × t × 0.00785 kg/mm²/m (theoretical, ignoring corner radii). Standard section weights at 2.0mm and 2.5mm verified against published data. For 1.5mm and 3.2mm thicknesses, values are calculated. Actual weight may vary ±3% due to corner radii and manufacturing tolerance. Standard supply lengths: 6m, 9m, 12m. IS 811:1987 governs cold-formed lipped channel sections in India.
How weight per metre of a cold-formed lipped C-channel is calculated from cross-section dimensions
Cross-Section Geometry — Lipped Channel (C-Section)
Worked Example — 150 × 65 × 20 × 2.5mm Lipped Channel
Lipped channel is designated as H×B×C where H = web depth, B = flange width, C = lip length. E.g. "150×65×20" means 150mm deep, 65mm wide flange, 20mm lip. Thickness (t) is specified separately.
Total flat length of steel strip before bending = H + 2B + 2C − 6t (deducting material in corner bends). For a 3-bend C-section with both lips, there are 4 internal corners.
Area (mm²) = Unfold Length × Thickness. Weight per metre (kg/m) = Area × 0.00785. This gives you the theoretical unit weight for any custom non-standard lipped channel size.
Total weight = Weight/m × Length (m) × Pieces. Convert to tonnes (÷1000) for procurement pricing. Add 3–5% for cutting waste on fabricated structures. Use the calculator above for instant results.
Where cold-formed lipped C-channels are used across Indian construction, solar and industrial projects
Lipped channels are the primary structural member in ground-mount solar PV structures across India. 100×50×20×2.5mm and 150×65×20×2.5mm sections are standard for single-axis tracker and fixed-tilt solar racking under MNRE projects.
Pre-engineered buildings (PEB) and portal frame industrial sheds use lipped channels as secondary structural members — roof purlins spanning between rafters and wall girts between columns. 150×65×20 and 200×65×20 are the most common purlin sizes in Indian PEB projects.
Cold-formed lipped channels (75×50×20 to 150×50×20) are used for wall studs, floor joists, and ceiling runners in light gauge steel (LGS) framing systems for Indian residential and commercial buildings as an alternative to traditional masonry.
Lipped channels form the beam and upright sections in storage racking systems and mezzanine floors in Indian warehouses and distribution centres. Back-to-back lipped channels form a built-up I-section for heavier loads.
Smaller telecom tower legs, billboard frames, and hoarding support structures in India use 150–200mm lipped channels for their high strength-to-weight ratio compared to hot-rolled angles and channels at the same section weight.
Domestic carports, bus shelter canopies, and industrial canopy roofs use 100–150mm lipped channels for portal frames and purlins. GI-coated (Z275/Z350) lipped channels are standard for outdoor exposed applications in India.
Available materials, coatings, supply lengths and 2026 market rates for lipped channels in India
When to choose a lipped channel vs ISMC, ISMB or Z-purlin for your application
Use when: Lightweight secondary members needed (purlins, girts, solar racking, LGS framing). Advantage: High strength-to-weight ratio; available in GI coating; economical for repetitive members. Limitation: Lower moment of inertia than ISMB at same depth; must check lateral-torsional buckling in long-span applications. Governed by IS 811.
Use when: Heavier loads; welding to MS frames required; deeper sections needed (up to 400mm). Advantage: Standard hot-rolled tolerances; higher load capacity than cold-formed at the same depth; widely stocked. Limitation: Heavier than lipped channels — not economical for light solar/purlin applications. Governed by IS 808.
Use when: Continuous purlins over multiple spans (Z-purlins lap and overlap for continuity). Advantage: Better structural efficiency for multi-span continuous purlin systems in long industrial sheds. Limitation: Less common in India than C-purlins; roll-forming tooling less widely available. Governed by IS 811.
Use when: Primary structural beams, floor beams, main frames where high Ixx is required. Advantage: Far higher moment of inertia than cold-formed sections at the same depth; standard structural section. Limitation: Significantly heavier and costlier than lipped channels — over-specified for purlin/girt applications. Governed by IS 808.
Common design and procurement mistakes to avoid on Indian projects
Practical guidance from solar, PEB and structural teams working on Indian projects in 2026
For a standard 1 MW ground-mount solar project in India (approx. 2,000 modules), the typical lipped channel requirement is 80–120 tonnes of 100×50×20×2.0mm GI sections for module rails + 40–60 tonnes of 150×65×20×2.5mm for purlins and legs. Use the calculator per zone, then consolidate for a single PO to get mill pricing.
1.5mm sections are frequently delivered in place of 2.0mm orders in India — the difference is visually undetectable. Use a digital calliper on at least 5 pieces per bundle at delivery. Tolerance per IS 811 is ±0.10mm for 2.0mm thickness. A 2.0mm section measuring 1.75mm or below is non-conformant and must be rejected.
A 150×65×20×2.5mm section (5.90 kg/m) provides significantly better bending resistance (Ixx) than a 150×50×20×3.0mm section (6.27 kg/m) despite being lighter per metre — because the wider flange increases Ixx. Always compare on Ixx and section modulus Zxx, not just weight, when value-engineering purlin sections.
Lipped channels are roll-formed from coil. The coil width = Unfold Length = H + 2B + 2C − 6t. For 150×65×20×2.5mm: coil width = 150+130+40−15 = 305mm. Most roll-forming lines use standard slit coil widths — ordering non-standard sections requires slit-to-width coil which adds ₹3,000–₹5,000/tonne premium. Stick to standard sections wherever possible.
For GI lipped channel solar structures, earthing continuity across bolted connections is required for IEC 62548 compliance on Indian solar projects. Either specify self-tapping earthing bolts with serrated washers that cut through the zinc coating, or use earthing straps between frames. A disconnected frame can cause serious shock risk in case of module insulation failure.
For column and strut members in solar frames and light structures, two lipped channels placed back-to-back (web-to-web) and bolted together form a closed box section with dramatically higher Ixx and buckling resistance than a single channel. Back-to-back 100×50×20×2.5mm has approximately 4× the effective section modulus of a single channel for compression members.
More structural and sheet metal weight tools for Indian projects
Common questions from solar EPC teams, PEB contractors and structural engineers in India