Unistrut dimensions decide what fits, what holds, and what passes inspection. The standard P1000 channel is 1-5/8″ wide and 1-5/8″ deep, with a 12-gauge wall.
Get the size wrong and your nuts, fittings, and load math fail. This guide gives you Unistrut channel sizes, weights, and specs in plain terms.
Table of Contents
Standard Unistrut Dimensions and How to Measure Them
Unistrut has made metal framing since 1924. It sells three width families:
- 1-5/8″ (41 mm): the heavy-duty series for the highest loads.
- 1-1/4″ (32 mm): the A-series, built for medium loads.
- 13/16″ (21 mm): a half-size channel for light loads.
Part-number suffixes also carry meaning. T means slotted, HS means round holes on one side, H3 means holes on three sides, and KO means knockouts. A “01” ending, as in P1001, means a back-to-back double channel.
Unistrut Channel Sizes and Types by Series
Each series fits a different job. This table shows the main Unistrut channel types, using catalog data:
| Series | Width x Depth | Gauge | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| P1000 | 1-5/8″ x 1-5/8″ | 12 | General support |
| P1100 | 1-5/8″ x 1-5/8″ | 14 | Lighter loads |
| P2000 | 1-5/8″ x 1-5/8″ | 16 | Light duty |
| P3000 | 1-5/8″ x 1-3/8″ | 12 | Medium depth |
| P3300 | 1-5/8″ x 7/8″ | 12 | Tight spaces |
| P4000 / P4100 | 1-5/8″ x 13/16″ | 16 / 14 | Shallow runs |
| P5000 | 1-5/8″ x 3-1/4″ | 12 | Long spans |
| P5500 | 1-5/8″ x 2-7/16″ | 12 | Heavy spans |
| A1000 | 1-1/4″ x 1-1/4″ | 14 | Medium loads |
| P6000 | 13/16″ x 13/16″ | 19 | Light fixtures |
Think of them in three groups: shallow strut, standard strut, and deep strut. Deeper channel resists bending better.
Back-to-back channel gives a big jump in stiffness. P1001 is two P1000 channels spot-welded together, with welds at most 3″ apart. Its moment of inertia is 0.930 in⁴ against 0.185 in⁴ for P1000. That is about five times stiffer, for twice the steel.
Channels also come with different hole patterns: solid, slotted, round holes, or knockouts. Holes remove steel, so the load rating drops. The catalog cuts beam loads to 85% for slotted (T) and 70% for double-slot (DS) channel.
Some suppliers list P5000 and P5500 depths differently. The catalog shows P5000 at 3-1/4″ and P5500 at 2-7/16″. Always check the catalog before you order.
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Unistrut Weight Chart: Per Foot, 10 ft, 20 ft and 3 m
| Channel | Lb per ft | 10 ft | 20 ft | 3 m |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P1000 | 1.90 | 19 lb | 38 lb | 8.5 kg |
| P1001 | 3.80 | 38 lb | 76 lb | 17.0 kg |
| P1100 | 1.42 | 14.2 lb | 28.4 lb | 6.3 kg |
| P2000 | 1.16 | 11.6 lb | 23.2 lb | 5.2 kg |
| P3300 | 1.35 | 13.5 lb | 27 lb | 6.0 kg |
| P4100 | 0.97 | 9.7 lb | 19.4 lb | 4.3 kg |
| P5000 | 3.05 | 30.5 lb | 61 lb | 13.6 kg |
| P5500 | 2.47 | 24.7 lb | 49.4 lb | 11.0 kg |
These are approximate shipping weights. Finish adds a little, and holes remove a little.
Weight matters for three reasons. It sets your freight cost, the load on anchors and ceilings, and how many people you need to lift a 20 ft stick.
Unistrut Specifications: Gauge, Finish and Load Capacity
Wall thickness drives strength. Thicker steel carries more load.
Material and standards.
Plain channel follows ASTM A1011 SS Grade 33. Pre-galvanized channel follows ASTM A653 Grade 33. The catalog also lists stainless steel and aluminum options.
Finish by environment.
Zinc thickness sets service life. When the zinc doubles, service life roughly doubles too.
- Electro-galvanized: 0.2 to 0.5 mil. Use it indoors, in dry spaces.
- Pre-galvanized (G90): about 0.75 mil. It works indoors and outdoors.
- Hot-dip galvanized: about 2.6 mil. Choose it for harsh, corrosive sites.
- Perma-Green III: a baked coating that passed 400+ hours of salt spray when scribed and 600+ hours when not.
Reading load tables.
Take a P1000 beam on a 5 ft span. It holds 680 lb of uniform load and sags 0.35″. Stretch it to 10 ft and the safe load drops to 340 lb, with 1.4″ of sag. Hold sag to span/360 and the 10 ft span carries only about 80 lb.
That is why span and deflection matter as much as size. Put the load at the center instead of spreading it, and multiply the table load by 0.5.
Hardware and torque.
Spring nuts and channel nuts must match the slot opening of the series. The standard framing nut is 1/2″. The catalog lists 50 ft-lb for a 1/2″ bolt. Dry threads only, since oil or grease can over-tighten a bolt.
Confirm every structural design with a licensed engineer.
FAQs
What is the standard size of Unistrut?
P1000 is the standard. It measures 1-5/8″ x 1-5/8″ with a 7/8″ slot opening and 12-gauge steel.
How to measure Unistrut size?
Use a caliper. Measure outside width, depth, slot opening, and wall thickness. Gauge separates look-alike channels like P1000 and P1100.
How heavy is a 3m length of Unistrut?
A 3 m length of P1000 weighs about 8.5 kg (18.7 lb). P1001 double channel weighs about 17 kg.
How much is 10 ft of Unistrut?
Prices vary by series, finish, and supplier. One US electrical distributor listed pre-galvanized P1000 at about $11.37 per foot, or roughly $114 per 10 ft. Stainless and hot-dip finishes cost more. Check live quotes, since prices change.
How much does 10 ft of Unistrut weigh?
About 19 lb for P1000. Use the weight table above for other series.
Does Unistrut come in 20 lengths?
Yes. The catalog lists standard stock lengths of 10 ft (3.05 m) and 20 ft (6.10 m). Suppliers can also cut channel to length.
Conclusion
Choosing the right Unistrut dimensions ensures a secure fit, reliable support, and better structural performance. Always check the channel size, gauge, weight, finish, and load capacity before purchasing. Use the correct fittings and follow the manufacturer’s load tables for safe installation. With the right specifications, you can select the best Unistrut channel for your project.
Measurement Researcher, Size Comparison Writer & Content Specialist
Timmy Ahad is a dedicated content writer and research specialist at SizesVisualizer.com, where he focuses on creating accurate, easy-to-understand content about measurements, dimensions, size comparisons, and real-world object visualization.
