| Standard System | Common Grades | Key Characteristics | Typical Applications |
| European (EN) | S235JR, S235J0, S235J2 | Yield strength ≥235 MPa. Suffix indicates impact toughness at room temperature (JR), 0°C (J0), or -20°C (J2). Good weldability and formability. | General construction, frames, supports. |
| S275JR, S275J0, S275J2 | Yield strength ≥275 MPa. Improved strength over S235 series with similar toughness grades. | Medium-load bearing structures, industrial buildings. |
| S355JR, S355J0, S355J2, S355K2 | High-strength structural steel. Yield strength ≥355 MPa. K2 suffix indicates higher impact toughness. The most widely used grade for major structures. | Bridges, high-rise buildings, heavy industrial plants. |
| American (ASTM/AISC) | A36 | General-purpose carbon steel. Minimum yield strength 36 ksi (~250 MPa). Excellent weldability and ductility. | Buildings, bridges, general construction. |
| A572 Grade 50 | High-strength low-alloy steel. Minimum yield strength 50 ksi (~345 MPa). Higher strength-to-weight ratio than A36. | Heavy-duty structures, truck frames, transmission towers. |
| A992 | The preferred grade for structural shapes. Minimum yield strength 50 ksi (~345 MPa). Tight controls on chemical composition and mechanical properties (e.g., maximum yield strength, tensile-to-yield strength ratio). | Modern building frames, seismic-resistant construction. |
| A588 | Weathering steel. Minimum yield strength 50 ksi. Forms a protective patina when exposed to weather, eliminating the need for painting. Excellent atmospheric corrosion resistance. | Bridges, outdoor sculptures, exposed architectural elements. |
| Japanese (JIS) | SS400 | General structural hot-rolled steel. Minimum tensile strength 400 MPa. No specified yield strength. Commonly used for general purposes. | General frames, machinery, base plates. |
| SM490A, SM490B, SM490C | Welded structural steel. Minimum tensile strength 490 MPa. "A, B, C" indicate different Charpy impact test requirements (C is the highest). Widely used for important welded structures. | Building frames, bridges, ships, offshore structures. |
| SN400, SN490 | Rolled steels for building structures (designed for seismic applications). Grades are subdivided into A, B, C sub-categories with stricter requirements on yield ratio, elongation, and toughness. | Beams and columns in earthquake-resistant buildings. |
