What is I beam?
I-beam, also known as universal beam, is a long strip of steel with I-shaped section.
I-beam is divided into ordinary I-beam and light I-beam. It is a section steel with I-section shape.
Types of I-beam steel
I-beam is mainly divided into ordinary I-beam, light I-beam and wide flange I-beam.
According to the height ratio of flange to web, it is divided into wide, medium and narrow flange I-beams.
The specifications of the first two are #10-60, that is, the corresponding height is 10cm-60cm.
At the same height, the light I-beam has narrow flange, thin web and light weight.
Wide flange I-beam, also known as H-beam, is characterized by two parallel legs and no inclination on the inner side of the legs.
It belongs to economic section steel and is rolled on four high universal mill, so it is also called “universal I-beam”.
Ordinary I-beam and light I-beam have formed national standards.
I beam weight calculator

Note:
If you want to get the I beam sizes in inches, you can use our mm to inches calculator to get the results.
I beam size & weight chart
You can watch the below video first to learn how to calculate the weight if I-beam.
And the following chart for i beam dimensions and weight can be your reference.
Ordinary Hot Rolled I Beam Sizes & Weight Chart
Specifications | Height (mm) | Flange Width (mm) | Web Thickness (mm) | Theoretical Weight (kg/m) |
---|---|---|---|---|
10 | 100 | 68 | 4.5 | 11.261 |
12.6 | 126 | 74 | 5 | 14.223 |
14 | 140 | 80 | 5.5 | 16.89 |
16 | 160 | 88 | 6 | 20.513 |
18 | 180 | 94 | 6.5 | 24.143 |
20a | 200 | 100 | 7 | 27.929 |
20b | 200 | 102 | 9 | 31.069 |
22a | 220 | 110 | 7.5 | 33.07 |
22b | 220 | 112 | 9.5 | 36.524 |
25a | 250 | 116 | 8 | 38.105 |
25b | 250 | 118 | 10 | 42.03 |
28a | 280 | 122 | 8.5 | 43.492 |
28b | 280 | 124 | 10.5 | 47.888 |
32a | 320 | 130 | 9.5 | 52.717 |
32b | 320 | 132 | 11.5 | 57.741 |
32c | 320 | 134 | 13.5 | 62.765 |
36a | 360 | 136 | 10 | 60.037 |
36b | 360 | 138 | 12 | 65.689 |
36c | 360 | 140 | 14 | 71.341 |
40a | 400 | 142 | 10.5 | 67.598 |
40b | 400 | 144 | 12.5 | 73.878 |
40c | 400 | 146 | 14.5 | 80.158 |
45a | 450 | 150 | 11.5 | 80.42 |
45b | 450 | 152 | 13.5 | 87.485 |
45c | 450 | 154 | 15.5 | 94.55 |
50a | 500 | 158 | 12 | 93.654 |
50b | 500 | 160 | 14 | 101.504 |
50c | 500 | 162 | 16 | 109.354 |
56a | 560 | 166 | 12.5 | 106.316 |
56b | 560 | 168 | 14.5 | 115.108 |
56c | 560 | 170 | 16.5 | 123.9 |
63a | 630 | 176 | 13 | 121.407 |
63b | 630 | 178 | 15 | 131.298 |
63c | 630 | 180 | 17 | 141.189 |
Light Duty Hot Rolled I Beam Sizes & Weight Chart
Specifications | Height (mm) | Flange Width (mm) | Web Thickness (mm) | Theoretical Weight (kg/m) |
---|---|---|---|---|
8 | 80 | 50 | 4.5 | 7.52 |
10 | 100 | 55 | 4.5 | 9.46 |
12 | 120 | 64 | 4.8 | 11.5 |
14 | 140 | 73 | 4.9 | 13.7 |
16 | 160 | 81 | 5 | 15.9 |
18 | 180 | 90 | 5.1 | 18.4 |
18a | 180 | 100 | 5.1 | 19.9 |
20 | 200 | 100 | 5.2 | 21 |
20a | 200 | 110 | 5.2 | 22.7 |
22 | 220 | 110 | 5.4 | 24 |
22a | 220 | 120 | 5.4 | 25.8 |
24 | 240 | 115 | 5.6 | 27.3 |
24a | 240 | 125 | 5.6 | 29.4 |
27 | 270 | 125 | 6 | 31.5 |
27a | 270 | 135 | 6 | 33.9 |
30 | 300 | 135 | 6.5 | 36.5 |
30a | 300 | 145 | 6.5 | 39.2 |
33 | 330 | 140 | 7 | 42.2 |
36 | 360 | 145 | 7.5 | 48.6 |
40 | 400 | 155 | 8 | 56.1 |
45 | 450 | 160 | 8.6 | 65.2 |
50 | 500 | 170 | 9.5 | 76.8 |
55 | 550 | 180 | 10.3 | 89.8 |
60 | 600 | 190 | 11.1 | 104 |
65 | 650 | 200 | 12 | 120 |
70 | 700 | 210 | 13 | 138 |
70a | 700 | 210 | 15 | 158 |
70b | 700 | 210 | 17.5 | 184 |
I beam sizes chart PDF download
How to calculate load bearing of I-beam?
For example:
How much can I-beam #25 bear when the span is 4m and the load is evenly distributed?
Calculation:
For #25 I-beam, W = 401.4cm3, [σ]=210N/mm2, overall stability coefficient φb=0.93
Bending moment formula M = QL2/8
Strength formula σ = M/W
According to the formula:
q=8σW/L2=8*210*401400/4*4=42.1kN/m
Overall stability requirement: 42.1 * 0.93 = 39.2kn/m
Partial factor requirement (safety factor): 39.2 / 1.4 = 28kN/m
Safe use: 28kN/m
The above calculation does not consider the self weight and deflection checking calculation of I-beam.
This is very informative
Thanks.
You’re welcome.
Wanting to lift 500kg with girder trolley on an Hbeam 6 metres long
What size of i beam should i get
What size of h beam should i get
6 inch*6inch I section
400 feet
Hello, my name is Nelson:
I want to build a 2 ton gantry with a span of 10 ft. How tall and thickness does an I beam has to be.
Good morning
i Whant to build a 5 ton single Girder gantry crane, what size I beam should i need for the top main beam and what size beam can i use for the legs.
thank you in advance
Jimmy
Hi can youmplease help. I am building Root cellar 20ftx30ft and on top of it a church for 150people including children can you please give me idea what Ibeam or Hbeam should I used on the rootcellar that can also carry a worshipper 150 more or less? how many post Appreciate much your reply.
All the best
erlinda
[email protected]
What size I beam should.I want to lift 20 ton genset.
Nneed to calculate load carrying capacity of an I Beam Flange 4″ X Web 6″ thickness 8MM, Length 28′, vertically support structure? Thnx in advance