Metric Columns (MC): Sizes, Weight Chart, Prices & Specifications

Metric Columns (MC): Sizes, Weight Chart, Prices & Specifications<\/h2>

Metric columns (MC) are hot-rolled H-section columns with near-square cross-sections — depth and width almost equal — designed to carry heavy axial loads and resist buckling in both directions. The metric column range covers the European HEA/HEB/HEM series from 100 × 100 mm to 400 × 400 mm and the Chinese GB/T 11263 HW series, all dimensioned in millimetres. This page is the complete buying reference from Sino East Steel Group — a direct steel structure manufacturer in Tianjin, China: metric column sizes and weight charts, material grades, 2026 FOB prices, applications, and the fastest way to order MC sections for your project.

1. What Is a Metric Column?

A metric column is a hot-rolled structural H-section used as a vertical compression member in steel buildings. Its cross-section is near-square: the flange width is close to the section depth, so the radius of gyration — and therefore the buckling resistance — is similar about both the major and minor axes. That property is what makes H-sections the standard for columns: a column must resist buckling about its weak axis, and a square-ish section minimizes that weakness.

Metric columns are produced to dimension and tolerance standards including EN 10365 / EN 10034 (HEA, HEB, HEM series), GB/T 11263 (Chinese HW series), and JIS G 3192. Steel grades follow EN 10025-2 (S235JR/S275JR/S355JR/S355J2), GB/T 1591 (Q235B/Q355B), JIS G 3101 (SS400), or ASTM A36/A572. Dimensions and masses below are indicative series values — the EN 10204 3.1 mill certificate shipped with every heat states the actual measured values.

2. Metric Column Sizes & Dimensions — HEB Series

The HEB series is the workhorse of European and Middle Eastern column design: wide flanges, thick web, and a square profile from 100 mm up to 600 mm. The designation “HEB 200” means a nominal 200 mm depth and 200 mm width.

Designation	Depth h (mm)	Width b (mm)	Web t (mm)	Flange tf (mm)	Mass (kg/m)
HEB 100	100	100	6	10	20.4
HEB 120	120	120	6.5	11	26.7
HEB 140	140	140	7	12	33.7
HEB 160	160	160	8	13	42.6
HEB 180	180	180	8.5	14	51.2
HEB 200	200	200	9	15	61.3
HEB 220	220	220	9.5	16	71.5
HEB 240	240	240	10	17	83.2
HEB 260	260	260	10	17.5	93.0
HEB 280	280	280	10.5	18	103
HEB 300	300	300	11	19	117
HEB 320	320	300	11.5	20.5	127
HEB 340	340	300	12	21.5	134
HEB 360	360	300	12.5	22.5	142
HEB 400	400	300	13.5	24	155

HEB 450 to HEB 600 (300 mm flange, up to 212 kg/m) and the lighter HEA series (about 25–30% lighter at the same nominal depth) are also available. For European projects that specify HEA, we supply the exact series — see the selection table in Section 8.

3. GB/T 11263 HW Column Sizes

For projects in China, Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America, the Chinese HW series is the cost benchmark for square column sections. The designation gives depth × width × web × flange thickness, e.g. HW 300×300×10×15.

Designation	Depth h (mm)	Width b (mm)	Web t (mm)	Flange tf (mm)	Mass (kg/m)
HW 100×100×6×8	100	100	6	8	17.2
HW 125×125×6.5×9	125	125	6.5	9	23.8
HW 150×150×7×10	150	150	7	10	31.9
HW 175×175×7.5×11	175	175	7.5	11	40.3
HW 200×200×8×12	200	200	8	12	50.5
HW 250×250×9×14	250	250	9	14	72.4
HW 300×300×10×15	300	300	10	15	94.5
HW 350×350×12×19	350	350	12	19	137
HW 400×400×13×21	400	400	13	21	172
HW 400×408×21×21	400	408	21	21	197
HW 400×400×18×28	400	400	18	28	230

All figures above are indicative and based on published GB/T 11263 series values; the mill certificate confirms exact dimensions for each heat. For columns above 400 mm depth we also supply welded built-up columns fabricated in our own shop — a common solution for high-bay warehouses and crane buildings.

4. Metric Column Weight Chart (kg per metre)

Indicative unit masses for the most commonly exported metric column sections, with freight planning data. The number in the designation of HEB sections is the mass per metre; for HW sections use the table below.

Designation	Mass (kg/m)	Mass per 12 m Length (kg)	Approx. Pieces per 24 t Container Load
HEB 100	20.4	245	81
HEB 160	42.6	511	39
HEB 200	61.3	736	27
HEB 260	93.0	1,116	17
HEB 300	117	1,404	14
HEB 400	155	1,860	10
HW 150×150×7×10	31.9	383	52
HW 200×200×8×12	50.5	606	33
HW 250×250×9×14	72.4	869	23
HW 300×300×10×15	94.5	1,134	17
HW 350×350×12×19	137	1,644	12
HW 400×400×13×21	172	2,064	9

A 40 ft container carries 24–26 tonnes of column sections. For very heavy columns (HEB 400+, HW 350+) open-top containers or break-bulk shipment is usually more economical — we will advise the best loading plan with your quotation.

5. Section Properties (Indicative)

Indicative section properties for structural design. Verify against certified mill data for the supplied heat.

Designation	Area A (cm²)	Second Moment Iy (cm⁴)	Second Moment Iz (cm⁴)	Radius of Gyration ry (cm)	Radius of Gyration rz (cm)
HEB 200	78.1	5,696	2,003	8.54	5.07
HEB 240	106	9,383	3,923	9.41	6.08
HEB 260	118	14,920	5,135	11.2	6.58
HEB 300	149	25,170	8,563	13.0	7.58
HEB 360	181	43,190	10,140	15.5	7.49
HEB 400	198	57,680	10,820	17.1	7.40
HW 200×200×8×12	64.3	4,770	1,600	8.61	4.99
HW 300×300×10×15	120	20,500	6,760	13.1	7.50
HW 400×400×13×21	219	66,600	22,400	17.4	10.1

Column capacity depends on effective length and slenderness, not just section area — follow the steel structure design guide (AISC 360 / Eurocode 3) for buckling checks, or let our engineers size your columns free of charge.

6. Material Grades & Specifications

Grade	Standard	Yield Strength (MPa)	Typical Use
S235JR	EN 10025-2	235	Light frames, mezzanine columns
S275JR	EN 10025-2	275	Standard building columns
S355JR	EN 10025-2	355	Heavy columns, high-bay racks
S355J2	EN 10025-2 (27 J at −20 °C)	355	Cold climates, impact-tested
Q235B	GB/T 1591	235	Chinese-spec projects
Q355B	GB/T 1591	355	Chinese-spec heavy structures
SS400	JIS G 3101	245	Japanese/ASEAN-spec projects
ASTM A572 Gr.50	ASTM A572/A572M	345	US-spec high-strength columns

All grades ship with EN 10204 3.1 mill test certificates. For columns supporting cranes or dynamic loads we recommend S355JR or higher, with Charpy impact testing where the design code requires it.

7. Metric Column Prices in 2026 (FOB China)

Indicative export pricing from our Tianjin base (FOB, 2026). Prices track global HRC and scrap markets — treat these as planning ranges.

Product	Indicative Price	MOQ
HEB / HEA columns, S235JR / S275JR	USD 600–750 per tonne FOB	25 tonnes (mixed sizes OK)
HEB / HEA columns, S355JR / S355J2	USD 640–800 per tonne FOB	25 tonnes
Heavy columns (HEB ≥ 300, HW ≥ 300)	USD 660–830 per tonne FOB	25 tonnes
GB HW columns, Q235B / Q355B	USD 600–760 per tonne FOB	25 tonnes
Cut-to-length, base plates, drilling, primer, galvanizing	Nominal surcharge per tonne	—

For a firm quotation send your designations, lengths, quantities, grade, and destination port to paul@sinoeaststeel.com. We also quote complete frames including beams and bracing — see our Kenya and Nigeria cost guides for landed-cost examples.

8. Metric Column Applications

• Building columns — vertical members of warehouses, factories, offices, and multi-storey steel frames.
• Portal frame columns — HEB 200–360 or HW 200–350 columns in pre-engineered and conventional buildings.
• High-bay racking and mezzanines — HEB/HW columns for distribution centers and storage structures.
• Crane columns — heavy HEB or welded columns in mill buildings supporting overhead cranes.
• Transfer and podium columns — large sections carrying upper-storey loads across open floors.
• Bridge piers, towers, and telecom masts — stocky H-sections with high axial capacity and rigidity.

Columns always work together with beams, bracing, and connections — browse the full steel structure products range and compare with our Universal Columns (UC), Metric Beams (MB), Parallel Flange Channels (PFC), and Tapered Flange Channels pages for the complementary members of your frame.

9. HEB vs HEA vs HW: How to Choose a Column Section

Series	Profile	Best For	Notes
HEA	Wide, light	Light columns, low-rise frames	~25–30% lighter than HEB at same depth
HEB	Square, heavy	Standard columns, crane buildings	Most specified European column series
HEM	Extra-heavy	Very heavy loads, short storey heights	Thick web and flanges
GB HW	Square	Columns on Chinese-spec projects	Cost benchmark; close properties to HEB
Welded built-up	Custom	Columns > 400 mm or unusual shapes	Fabricated in our shop to your drawings

As a rule of thumb, HEB 200–300 / HW 200–300 covers most single-storey industrial columns up to 10 m; taller or heavier columns step up to HEB 300–400 / HW 300–400 or welded sections. Confirm every choice with a buckling check per AISC 360 or Eurocode 3 — our design guide walks through the process, and our engineers will do the check for you when you request a quotation.

10. Why Buy Metric Columns Direct from Sino East Steel Group

Sino East Steel Group is a direct China steel structure manufacturer, not a trader. Since 1993 we have operated a 50,000 m² fabrication facility in Tianjin Industrial Park, Daqiuzhuang — China’s largest steel processing hub — with rolling-mill supply agreements, CNC cutting and drilling lines, and a certified fabrication shop for base plates, end plates, and complete column assemblies.

• Factory-direct pricing — no middleman margin, typically 15–35% below regional resellers.
• Certified quality — ISO 9001:2015, ISO 3834-2, EN 1090 EXC3/EXC4, AWS D1.1; EN 10204 3.1 certificates on every heat.
• Annual capacity of 100,000+ tonnes — stock columns ship in 1–2 weeks; fabricated columns with base plates in 3–4 weeks.
• Complete column packages — cutting, drilling, base and cap plates, stiffeners, primer or galvanizing, and trial assembly.
• Export documentation — invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, EN 10204 3.1 certificates for smooth clearance.

We welcome third-party inspection (SGS/BV/TÜV) at any stage — see our manufacturer verification checklist for what to check before ordering from any supplier.

11. How to Order Metric Columns from China

1. Send your column designations (or drawings), storey heights, lengths, quantities, grade, and destination port.
2. Receive an itemized FOB or CIF quotation within 24–48 hours, including the recommended section if requested.
3. Approve the cutting list, base plate details, and coating specification.
4. We produce and inspect; third-party inspection optional.
5. We ship FCL or break-bulk from Tianjin Port with complete export documentation.

For complete projects, read our procurement guide for importers and our shipping and installation guide before placing the order.

12. Tolerance, Testing & Packing

Metric columns are rolled to EN 10034 or GB/T 11263 tolerances and tested for yield, tensile, and elongation properties, plus Charpy impact for S355J2. Fabricated columns are welded per ISO 3834-2 and EN 1090 EXC3/EXC4, with NDT (UT/MT) where specified. Sections are bundled on timber dunnage, steel-strapped, and tagged with your project and designation. Standard 40 ft containers hold 24–26 tonnes; heavy columns ship open-top or break-bulk. Typical transit: 3–4 weeks to the Middle East, 4–6 weeks to Africa, 4–5 weeks to Europe, 3–5 weeks to the Americas.

13. Metric Column FAQ

Q: What is a metric column?
A: A metric column is a hot-rolled H-section column dimensioned in millimetres — the HEA/HEB/HEM series per EN 10365 or the HW series per GB/T 11263 — with a near-square cross-section that resists buckling in both directions.

Q: What is the difference between HEA, HEB, and HEM columns?
A: At the same nominal depth, HEA is the lightest (thinner web and flanges), HEB is the standard heavy series, and HEM is the extra-heavy series. HEB is the most common choice for building columns.

Q: What sizes do metric columns come in?
A: HEB columns run from 100×100 mm (20.4 kg/m) to 600×300 mm (212 kg/m); GB HW columns from 100×100 to 400×408 mm. We also fabricate welded columns above 400 mm.

Q: How much does a metric column cost in 2026?
A: Indicative FOB China prices are USD 600–750 per tonne for S235JR/S275JR, USD 640–800 per tonne for S355, and USD 600–760 per tonne for GB Q235B/Q355B HW columns.

Q: What is the weight of an HEB 200 column?
A: HEB 200 weighs 61.3 kg/m, so a 12 m length is about 736 kg. The designation number of HEB sections is the mass per metre.

Q: Which standard are metric columns made to?
A: European columns follow EN 10365 dimensions with EN 10034 tolerances and EN 10025-2 grades; Chinese columns follow GB/T 11263; Japanese-spec columns follow JIS G 3192 with SS400 grade.

Q: Can you supply EN 10204 3.1 mill certificates?
A: Yes — every heat ships with an EN 10204 3.1 certificate, and SGS/BV/TÜV verification can be arranged on request.

Q: Can columns be supplied with base plates and drilled holes?
A: Yes. We weld base and cap plates, add stiffeners, drill anchor bolt holes per your drawings, and apply primer or hot-dip galvanizing.

Q: How do I get a metric column quotation?
A: Email your designations, storey heights, quantities, and destination port to paul@sinoeaststeel.com or message us on WhatsApp — you will receive an itemized FOB/CIF quotation within 48 hours.