Steel angle in Canada is designated L, then leg x leg x thickness in millimetres. An L102x102x6.4 is a 102 mm equal-leg angle 6.4 mm thick, the same piece of steel as a 4 x 4 x 1/4 in angle. Standard hot-rolled angles run from L51x51 (2x2) up to L203x203 (8x8) in everyday structural work, plus heavy 254 mm and 305 mm sizes, with thicknesses from 3.2 mm to 34.9 mm. The charts below list the standard equal and unequal sizes with their imperial equivalents, the thicknesses each comes in and the weight range.
How angle sizes are written
An angle designation tells you three dimensions, not a weight:
- L for angle.
- The two leg lengths in mm. On unequal angles, the longer leg comes first: L152x102 means a 152 mm leg and a 102 mm leg.
- The thickness in mm, the same for both legs.
So L127x89x7.9 is 127 by 89 mm and 7.9 mm thick, or 5 x 3-1/2 x 5/16 in. Unlike W-beams and channels, the name doesn't include the mass per metre; for that you need a steel angle weight chart.
Why the odd numbers? The angles rolled for the North American market are imperial sizes. Canadian drawings and the CISC tables use metric designations converted from those sizes: 4 in becomes 102 mm, 3-1/2 in becomes 89 mm, 1/4 in becomes 6.4 mm. The steel is the same; only the label changes.
Equal-leg angle size chart
Sizes are the standard hot-rolled angle range listed in the AISC Shapes Database, with the metric designations used on Canadian drawings. Mass is for the thinnest and thickest angle in each leg size.
| Metric legs (mm) | Imperial legs (in) | Thicknesses available (mm) | Mass range (kg/m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| L51x51 | 2 x 2 | 3.2, 4.8, 6.4, 7.9, 9.5 | 2.4 to 7.0 |
| L64x64 | 2-1/2 x 2-1/2 | 4.8, 6.4, 7.9, 9.5, 12.7 | 4.6 to 11.4 |
| L76x76 | 3 x 3 | 4.8, 6.4, 7.9, 9.5, 11.1, 12.7 | 5.5 to 14.0 |
| L89x89 | 3-1/2 x 3-1/2 | 6.4, 7.9, 9.5, 11.1, 12.7 | 8.6 to 16.5 |
| L102x102 | 4 x 4 | 6.4, 7.9, 9.5, 11.1, 12.7, 15.9, 19 | 9.8 to 27.5 |
| L127x127 | 5 x 5 | 7.9, 9.5, 11.1, 12.7, 15.9, 19, 22.2 | 15.3 to 40.5 |
| L152x152 | 6 x 6 | 7.9, 9.5, 11.1, 12.7, 14.3, 15.9, 19, 22.2, 25.4 | 18.5 to 55.7 |
| L203x203 | 8 x 8 | 12.7, 14.3, 15.9, 19, 22.2, 25.4, 28.6 | 39.3 to 84.7 |
| L254x254 | 10 x 10 | 19, 22.2, 25.4, 28.6, 31.8, 34.9 | 73.1 to 130 |
| L305x305 | 12 x 12 | 25.4, 28.6, 31.8, 34.9 | 116 to 156 |
Unequal-leg angle size chart
| Metric legs (mm) | Imperial legs (in) | Thicknesses available (mm) | Mass range (kg/m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| L64x38 | 2-1/2 x 1-1/2 | 4.8, 6.4 | 3.6 to 4.8 |
| L64x51 | 2-1/2 x 2 | 4.8, 6.4, 7.9, 9.5 | 4.2 to 7.9 |
| L76x51 | 3 x 2 | 4.8, 6.4, 7.9, 9.5, 12.7 | 4.6 to 11.5 |
| L76x64 | 3 x 2-1/2 | 4.8, 6.4, 7.9, 9.5, 11.1, 12.7 | 5.1 to 12.6 |
| L89x64 | 3-1/2 x 2-1/2 | 6.4, 7.9, 9.5, 12.7 | 7.3 to 13.9 |
| L89x76 | 3-1/2 x 3 | 6.4, 7.9, 9.5, 11.1, 12.7 | 8.0 to 15.1 |
| L102x76 | 4 x 3 | 6.4, 7.9, 9.5, 12.7, 15.9 | 8.6 to 20.2 |
| L102x89 | 4 x 3-1/2 | 6.4, 7.9, 9.5, 12.7 | 9.2 to 17.6 |
| L127x76 | 5 x 3 | 6.4, 7.9, 9.5, 11.1, 12.7 | 9.8 to 19.0 |
| L127x89 | 5 x 3-1/2 | 6.4, 7.9, 9.5, 12.7, 15.9, 19 | 10.4 to 29.3 |
| L152x89 | 6 x 3-1/2 | 7.9, 9.5, 12.7 | 14.5 to 22.7 |
| L152x102 | 6 x 4 | 7.9, 9.5, 11.1, 12.7, 14.3, 15.9, 19, 22.2 | 15.3 to 40.3 |
| L178x102 | 7 x 4 | 9.5, 11.1, 12.7, 15.9, 19 | 20.2 to 38.8 |
| L203x102 | 8 x 4 | 11.1, 12.7, 14.3, 15.9, 19, 22.2, 25.4 | 25.6 to 55.4 |
| L203x152 | 8 x 6 | 11.1, 12.7, 14.3, 15.9, 19, 22.2, 25.4 | 29.9 to 65.5 |
Not every size is on the rack. These are the standard rolled sizes, not a stock list. Availability varies by size, supplier and region, and heavy or less common sizes can take longer to source, so confirm sizes before you finalize a design. Our steel angle prices guide explains how size and availability feed into cost.
Smaller angles. Below the structural range, light "bar-size" angles with legs under 51 mm are also sold for trim, frames and light brackets. They are a separate product line from the structural sizes above.
Thickness conversions
Angle thickness is the number people most often get wrong when converting. The metric value on a drawing is the imperial thickness converted, not a round metric number.
| Imperial | Metric on drawings | Imperial | Metric on drawings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/8 in | 3.2 mm | 9/16 in | 14.3 mm |
| 3/16 in | 4.8 mm | 5/8 in | 15.9 mm |
| 1/4 in | 6.4 mm | 3/4 in | 19 mm |
| 5/16 in | 7.9 mm | 7/8 in | 22.2 mm |
| 3/8 in | 9.5 mm | 1 in | 25.4 mm |
| 7/16 in | 11.1 mm | 1-1/8 in | 28.6 mm |
| 1/2 in | 12.7 mm | 1-1/4 in | 31.8 mm |
Metric angle sizes from other countries
European and other international drawings use true metric angles, such as 100 x 100 x 10 or 75 x 75 x 8. Those aren't the angles rolled for the Canadian and US market. The nearest North American size, here L102x102x9.5 or L76x76x7.9, is close but not identical: legs differ by a couple of millimetres and the thickness and weight change.
That makes the swap a design change. For a lintel, a structural brace or anything with a load on it, the designer or engineer should accept the substitute size in writing before you order. For architectural trim and non-structural framing, the drawings or the owner should still confirm it, since the visible dimensions change.
Grades and lengths
Grade. Structural angle in Canada is commonly supplied to CSA G40.21 300W or 350W, or to ASTM A36, and is often certified to more than one grade. Use the grade on your drawings. The grade raises strength but not stiffness, so a stronger angle sags the same amount under the same load. The grade names work the same way as for channels; see steel channel grades.
Length. Angle is rolled in long lengths and stocked by service centres in standard imperial mill lengths, which vary by supplier and size. For most jobs it's simpler and cheaper to order angle cut to your dimensions. If you're buying full lengths, ask what lengths are on hand.
Which size? For brick lintels in Part 9 houses, the Ontario Building Code's lintel tables give the minimum angle for each span; see steel lintel sizes under the Ontario Building Code. For other structural uses, the size comes from the designer. Our post on how much weight steel angle can support explains why leg length and orientation matter more than thickness.
Ordering steel angle
Give your supplier or fabricator:
- The designation, metric or imperial, exactly as on the drawing, with the long leg first.
- The grade.
- Cut lengths and quantities, or the shop drawings.
- Holes, slots, mitres and welded clips, with dimensions from a clear reference edge.
- Orientation notes for lintels and ledgers, so the long leg ends up where the designer intended.
- Finish: mill finish, primer or galvanizing.
We supply steel angle cut to length and fabricated as detailed, including angle lintels for masonry openings punched or welded as needed.
Send your angle list or drawings for a quote, or browse our steel products for lintels, plates, channels and beams.
Frequently asked questions
How are steel angle sizes written in Canada?
As L, then the two leg lengths, then the thickness, all in millimetres: L102x102x6.4 is a 102 mm by 102 mm angle 6.4 mm thick, the same steel as a 4 x 4 x 1/4 in angle. On unequal angles the longer leg is written first.
What sizes does steel angle come in?
Standard hot-rolled angles run from small 51 mm (2 in) legs up to 203 mm (8 in) legs in common use, with heavy 254 mm and 305 mm angles at the top of the range. Thicknesses run from 3.2 mm to 34.9 mm depending on leg size. Bar-size angles with legs under 51 mm are also sold.
Are Canadian angle sizes metric or imperial?
Both, in a sense. The angles rolled for the North American market are imperial sizes, and Canadian drawings give them metric designations converted from those sizes. That is why you see odd numbers like 102, 89 and 6.4 rather than 100, 90 and 6.
What length does steel angle come in?
Service centres stock angle in standard imperial mill lengths, which vary by supplier and size. Most structural jobs order angle cut to the lengths on the drawings, which avoids waste and site cutting.
