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STEEL FRAMING NOMENCLATURE
Understanding Metal Stud Sizes, Gauges, and Standards
When selecting the right steel studs for construction, understanding metal stud sizes, steel thicknesses, web depths, and flange sizes for standard stud or equivalent gauge stud sizes is crucial. This page breaks down the industry-standard nomenclature, including metal framing gauges charts, flange widths, and depth classifications to help you choose the right steel framing components.
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Nomenclature Example
| MEMBER DEPTH | TYPE | FLANGE WIDTH | MILS TO GAUGE |
|
162 = 1-5/8″
250 = 2-1/2” 362 = 3-5/ ” 8 400 = 4” 600 = 6” 800 = 8” 1000 = 10” 1200 = 12” 1400 = 14” 1600 = 16” |
S = Stud
T = Track VS = ViperStud VT = ViperTrack QFH = QuickFrame Header QFJ = QuickFrame Jamb SR = StudRite JR = JoistRite SLT = Slotted Track SG = SoundGuard |
125 = 1-1/4”
137 = 1-3/8” 162 = 1-5/8” 200 = 2” 250 = 2-1/2” 300 = 3” 350 = 3-1/2” |
15 = Viper 25 ga. EQ
18 = Viper 20 ga. DW EQ 30 = 20 ga. DW 33 = 20 STR ga. 43 = 18 ga. 54 = 16 ga. 68 = 14 ga. 97 = 12 ga. 118 = 10 ga. |
Standard Steel Thickness Table
| MILS | DESIGN THICKNESS (in.) | MINIMUM THICKNESS (in.) | GAUGE | COLOR CODE |
| 15 | 0.0155 | 0.0147 | VIPER 25 EQ | NONE |
| 18 | 0.0190 | 0.0181 | VIPER 20 EQ | BROWN |
| 18 | 0.0188 | 0.0179 | 25 | NONE |
| 27 | 0.0283 | 0.0269 | 22 | BLACK |
| 30 | 0.0312 | 0.0296 | 20DW | PINK |
| 33 | 0.0346 | 0.0329 | 20STR | WHITE |
| 43 | 0.0451 | 0.0428 | 18 | YELLOW |
| 54 | 0.0566 | 0.0538 | 16 | GREEN |
| 68 | 0.0713 | 0.0677 | 14 | ORANGE |
| 97 | 0.1017 | 0.0966 | 12 | RED |
| 118 | 0.1242 | 0.118 | 10 | BLUE |
Minimum thickness represents 95% of the design thickness and is the minimum acceptable thickness delivered to the project site based on AISI S220 and/or S240.
Standard Return Lip
| MEMBER | FLANGE WIDTH | RETURN LIP (in.) |
| S125 | 1/1/04 | 0.250* |
| S137 | 1/3/08 | 0.375 |
| S162 | 1/5/08 | 0.5 |
| S200 | 2 | 0.625 |
| S250 | 2/1/02 | 0.625 |
| S300 | 3 | 0.625* |
| S350 | 3/1/02 | 1 |
*Viper20 return lips vary by web width
**QFH & QFJ 3″ & 3-1/2″ flange = 1″ Return Lip
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