Tapered Flange Channels: Sizes, Weight Chart, Prices & Specifications

Tapered Flange Channels: Sizes, Weight Chart, Prices & Specifications<\/h2>

Tapered flange channels (also called U-channels, UPN channels, or simply channels) are hot-rolled C-sections whose flanges are inclined inward at a small angle — typically 5° to 10° from the vertical, with a taper of about 1:10 per EN 10024. This classic channel profile is the standard section in mainland Europe (UPN series), China (GB/T 706 channel series), and Japan (JIS G 3192), and is used everywhere for framing, girts, stringers, and structural members where light, open sections are needed. This page is the complete buying reference from Sino East Steel Group — a direct steel structure manufacturer in Tianjin, China: tapered flange channel sizes and weight charts, material grades, 2026 FOB prices, applications, and the fastest way to order channels for your project.

1. What Is a Tapered Flange Channel?

A tapered flange channel is a hot-rolled steel section with a U or C shape: a flat web with two flanges whose inside faces slope inward from the web towards the flange tips. The taper is about 1:10 (approximately 5.7° per flange) for the European UPN series per EN 10024, and similar for the Chinese GB/T 706 channel series and Japanese JIS G 3192 channels. The inclined flanges give the section good bending strength about the major axis and make it very stiff in torsion relative to its weight, which is why channels are preferred for members loaded eccentrically or spanning as girts and stringers.

Tapered channels are produced to EN 10024 / EN 10279 (UPN), GB/T 706 (Chinese channels, designated like [10 or [20a), and JIS G 3192 (Japanese channels). Steel grades follow EN 10025-2 (S235JR/S275JR/S355JR/S355J2), GB/T 1591 (Q235B/Q355B), or JIS G 3101 (SS400). The size range we supply runs from 75 × 40 mm up to 380 × 100 mm. All dimensions and masses below are indicative series values — the EN 10204 3.1 mill certificate shipped with every heat states the actual measured values.

If your project specifies parallel flange channels instead — the British and Middle Eastern standard — see our Parallel Flange Channels (PFC) page for that series.

2. Tapered Flange Channel Sizes & Dimensions — UPN Series

The UPN series (per EN 10024) is the classic European channel: designation “UPN 100” means a 100 mm deep channel. The table lists nominal dimensions and unit masses for the full export range.

Designation	Depth h (mm)	Width b (mm)	Web t (mm)	Flange tf (mm)	Mass (kg/m)
UPN 80	80	45	6.0	8.0	8.6
UPN 100	100	50	6.0	8.5	10.6
UPN 120	120	55	7.0	9.0	13.4
UPN 140	140	60	7.0	10.0	16.0
UPN 160	160	65	7.5	10.5	18.8
UPN 180	180	70	8.0	11.0	22.0
UPN 200	200	75	8.5	11.5	25.3
UPN 220	220	80	9.0	12.5	29.4
UPN 240	240	85	9.5	13.0	33.2
UPN 260	260	90	10.0	14.0	37.9
UPN 280	280	95	10.0	15.0	41.8
UPN 300	300	100	10.0	16.0	46.2

UPN 320 to UPN 400 (up to about 72 kg/m) are available on request for heavy duties. Standard lengths are 6 m, 9 m, and 12 m; cut-to-length and random lengths are available.

3. Chinese GB/T 706 Channel Sizes

The Chinese channel series (GB/T 706) is the cost benchmark for channels across China, Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Designations like “C10” or “[10a” refer to a 100 mm deep channel; “a” denotes the light, “b” the heavy variant at the same depth.

Designation	Depth h (mm)	Width b (mm)	Web t (mm)	Mass (kg/m)
[6.3	63	40	4.8	6.6
[8	80	43	5.0	8.0
[10	100	48	5.3	10.0
[12.6	126	53	5.5	12.3
[14a	140	58	6.0	14.5
[16a	160	63	6.5	17.2
[18a	180	68	7.0	20.2
[20a	200	73	7.0	22.6
[22a	220	77	7.0	25.0
[25a	250	78	7.0	27.4
[28a	280	82	7.5	31.4
[32a	320	88	8.0	38.1
[36a	360	96	9.0	47.8
[40a	400	100	10.5	58.9

The b-series variants (e.g. [20b, [36b) add web and flange thickness at the same depth for heavier loads. JIS channels (e.g. 100×50×5 at 9.36 kg/m, 150×75×6.5 at 18.6 kg/m, 200×90×8 at 28.3 kg/m) are supplied for Japanese and ASEAN-spec projects.

4. Tapered Flange Channel Weight Chart (kg per metre)

Indicative unit masses for the most commonly exported tapered channel sections, with freight planning data.

Designation	Mass (kg/m)	Mass per 12 m Length (kg)	Approx. Metres per 24 t Container Load
UPN 80	8.6	103	2,790 m
UPN 100	10.6	127	2,264 m
UPN 140	16.0	192	1,500 m
UPN 180	22.0	264	1,091 m
UPN 200	25.3	304	949 m
UPN 260	37.9	455	633 m
UPN 300	46.2	554	519 m
[10	10.0	120	2,400 m
[16a	17.2	206	1,395 m
[20a	22.6	271	1,062 m
[28a	31.4	377	764 m
[36a	47.8	574	502 m

Channels are one of the most container-efficient structural sections — a 40 ft container carries 24–26 tonnes, typically 1,000–2,500 m depending on size. Use the chart to plan quantities, container loading, and site craneage.

5. Material Grades & Specifications

Grade	Standard	Yield Strength (MPa)	Typical Use
S235JR	EN 10025-2	235	Light framing, girts, stringers
S275JR	EN 10025-2	275	Standard structural channels
S355JR	EN 10025-2	355	Heavy duties, long spans
S355J2	EN 10025-2 (27 J at −20 °C)	355	Cold regions, impact-tested
Q235B	GB/T 1591	235	Chinese-spec projects
Q355B	GB/T 1591	355	Chinese-spec heavy duties
SS400	JIS G 3101	245	Japanese/ASEAN-spec projects

Channels are ideal for hot-dip galvanizing (ISO 1461) because of their simple open shape — specify galvanized channels for coastal, agricultural, and humid environments. EN 10204 3.1 mill certificates accompany every heat.

6. Tapered Flange Channel Prices in 2026 (FOB China)

Indicative export pricing from our Tianjin base (FOB, 2026). Channel prices track HRC markets closely — treat these as planning ranges.

Product	Indicative Price	MOQ
UPN channels, S235JR / S275JR	USD 610–770 per tonne FOB	10 tonnes (mixed sizes OK)
UPN channels, S355JR / S355J2	USD 650–820 per tonne FOB	10 tonnes
GB channels [6.3–[40a, Q235B / Q355B	USD 560–720 per tonne FOB	10 tonnes
JIS channels, SS400	USD 590–750 per tonne FOB	10 tonnes
Hot-dip galvanized channels (ISO 1461)	USD 800–1,030 per tonne FOB	10 tonnes

For a firm quotation send your designations, lengths, quantities, grade, and destination port to paul@sinoeaststeel.com. For complete building cost planning, see our Kenya and Nigeria cost guides.

7. Tapered Flange Channel Applications

• Wall girts and roof purlins — spanning between columns and rafters in warehouses, factories, and PEB buildings.
• Stringers and joists — longitudinal members in floors, walkways, and conveyor supports.
• Vehicle and trailer frames — channel sections for truck bodies, trailers, and agricultural equipment.
• Brackets, cleats, and connection details — short channel pieces in bolted and welded connections.
• Stair strings, handrails, and balustrades — open, light sections that are easy to cut and fix.
• Cable trays, duct supports, and racks — economical structural members in plant and MEP installations.

Channels complement beams and columns in every frame — browse the full steel structure products range and compare with our Universal Columns (UC), Metric Beams (MB), Metric Columns (MC), and Parallel Flange Channels (PFC) pages.

8. Tapered vs Parallel Flange Channels: How to Choose

Series	Flanges	Best For	Standard
UPN (tapered)	Inclined ~5.7°	European and Asian practice	EN 10024
GB channel [C]	Tapered	Chinese-spec, cost-driven projects	GB/T 706
JIS channel	Tapered	Japanese/ASEAN-spec projects	JIS G 3192
PFC (parallel)	90°	UK/Middle East/Africa, bolted connections	BS 4-1 / EN 10279
UPE (parallel)	90°	Light framing, purlins, girts	EN 10365

Tapered and parallel channels of the same nominal depth have close section properties — the choice is usually driven by the local design code and fabrication practice. If bolts must bear flat on the flange, PFC is easier; if you buy on cost per tonne in China, GB channels win. For load checks and member sizing, follow our steel structure design guide (AISC 360 / Eurocode 3), or ask our engineers to confirm the section for your loads free of charge.

9. Why Buy Tapered Flange Channels 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 facility in Tianjin Industrial Park, Daqiuzhuang — China’s largest steel processing hub — supplying rolled sections, fabricated members, and complete steel structures to more than 60 countries.

• 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 channels ship in 1–2 weeks; processed or galvanized in 3–4 weeks.
• Value-added processing — cutting, drilling, slotting, shot-blasting, primer, and hot-dip galvanizing to ISO 1461.
• 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 before committing to any supplier.

10. How to Order Tapered Flange Channels from China

1. Send your channel designations (or drawings), lengths, quantities, grade, and destination port.
2. Receive an itemized FOB or CIF quotation within 24–48 hours.
3. Approve the cutting list, hole pattern, and coating specification.
4. We produce and inspect; third-party inspection optional.
5. We ship FCL from Tianjin Port with complete export documentation.

For project-level buying, read our procurement guide for importers and shipping and installation guide.

11. Tolerance, Testing & Packing

Tapered channels are rolled to EN 10024 (UPN), GB/T 706 (Chinese), or JIS G 3192 tolerances and tested for yield, tensile, and elongation properties. Galvanized channels are coated per ISO 1461 with thickness verified by magnetic gauge on every bundle. Sections are bundled on timber dunnage, steel-strapped, and tagged with your project and designation. A 40 ft container holds 24–26 tonnes of channels — typically 1,000–2,500 m depending on size. Transit times: 3–4 weeks to the Middle East, 4–6 weeks to Africa, 4–5 weeks to Europe, 3–5 weeks to the Americas.

12. Tapered Flange Channel FAQ

Q: What is a tapered flange channel?
A: A tapered flange channel is a hot-rolled C/U-section whose flanges incline inward at about 5–10° (taper ~1:10 per EN 10024). It is the classic channel profile used in mainland Europe (UPN), China (GB/T 706), and Japan (JIS).

Q: What is the difference between tapered and parallel flange channels?
A: Tapered channels (UPN/GB/JIS) have inclined flanges; parallel flange channels (PFC/UPE) have flanges at exactly 90°. Section properties are close; PFC simplifies bolted connections, tapered channels are the traditional standard in Europe and Asia.

Q: What sizes do tapered flange channels come in?
A: UPN runs from UPN 80 to UPN 400; GB channels from [6.3 to [40a; JIS channels from 75×40 to 380×100 mm. Standard lengths are 6, 9, and 12 m.

Q: How much does a tapered flange channel cost in 2026?
A: Indicative FOB China prices are USD 610–770 per tonne for UPN S235JR/S275JR, USD 560–720 per tonne for GB Q235B/Q355B channels, and USD 800–1,030 per tonne galvanized.

Q: What is the weight of a UPN 100 channel?
A: UPN 100 weighs about 10.6 kg/m, so a 12 m length is roughly 127 kg. GB [10 is similar at about 10.0 kg/m.

Q: Which standard are tapered channels made to?
A: UPN follows EN 10024 with EN 10025-2 grades; Chinese channels follow GB/T 706; Japanese channels follow JIS G 3192 with SS400 grade.

Q: Can channels be galvanized?
A: Yes — we supply hot-dip galvanized channels to ISO 1461 (70–85 µm) for coastal, agricultural, and humid environments, or shot-blasted and primed sections.

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.

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