H-beam vs I-beam: differences, designations and when to use each
How H-beams (HEA, HEB) and I-beams (IPE, IPN) differ in shape, weight and strength, how European, UK and US designations compare, and which to choose for beams and columns.
Updated October 17, 2026
H-beams and I-beams are both hot-rolled sections with two flanges joined by a web. The difference is in the proportions: an I-beam is deep with narrow flanges, an H-beam has flanges about as wide as the section is deep. That changes how the section carries load, so the right choice depends on whether the member works mainly as a beam or as a column.
How to tell an H-beam from an I-beam
- I-beam (IPE, IPN) — flange width roughly half the depth. An IPE 300 is 300 mm deep and 150 mm wide.
- H-beam (HEA, HEB, HEM) — flange width close to the depth. Up to size 300 the flange width equals the nominal size: an HEB 300 is 300 mm deep and 300 mm wide. From 320 upward the flanges stay 300 mm wide.
- Flange faces — IPE and the HE series have parallel flanges. The older IPN has tapered inner flange faces, which need tapered washers at bolted connections.
- Thickness — at the same nominal size, H-beams have thicker webs and flanges, so they weigh much more per metre.
Designations in Europe, the UK and the US
| Standard | I-beam (narrow flange) | H-beam (wide flange) |
|---|---|---|
| Europe, EN 10365 | IPE (parallel flanges), IPN (tapered flanges) | HEA (light), HEB (medium), HEM (heavy) |
| UK, BS 4-1 | UB — universal beam | UC — universal column |
| USA, ASTM A6 | W shapes with narrow flanges; S shapes (tapered flanges) | W shapes with near-square proportions, such as W8, W10, W12 and W14 columns |
Same weight, different strength: IPE 300 vs HEA 200
IPE 300 and HEA 200 weigh almost exactly the same, so they use the same amount of steel. The table shows how differently that steel is arranged.
| Property | IPE 300 | HEA 200 |
|---|---|---|
| Mass (kg/m) | 42.2 | 42.3 |
| Depth h (mm) | 300 | 190 |
| Flange width b (mm) | 150 | 200 |
| Iy, major axis (cm⁴) | 8356 | 3692 |
| Wel,y, major axis (cm³) | 557.1 | 388.6 |
| Iz, minor axis (cm⁴) | 603.8 | 1336 |
| iz, radius of gyration (cm) | 3.35 | 4.98 |
For the same weight, the IPE 300 is about 2.3 times stiffer in bending about the major axis, which is what matters for a floor or roof beam. The HEA 200 is about 2.2 times stiffer about the minor axis and has a larger radius of gyration, which is what matters for a column that could buckle sideways. Neither is simply "stronger": each is efficient for a different job.
Same nominal size: IPE 300, IPN 300, HEA 300 and HEB 300
| Section | h (mm) | b (mm) | tw (mm) | tf (mm) | kg/m | Iy (cm⁴) | Iz (cm⁴) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPE 300 | 300 | 150 | 7.1 | 10.7 | 42.2 | 8356 | 603.8 |
| IPN 300 | 300 | 125 | 10.8 | 16.2 | 54.2 | 9800 | 451 |
| HEA 300 | 290 | 300 | 8.5 | 14 | 88.3 | 18260 | 6310 |
| HEB 300 | 300 | 300 | 11 | 19 | 117 | 25170 | 8563 |
The nominal size alone says little about capacity: an HEB 300 weighs almost three times as much as an IPE 300. Compare sections on mass and on the property that governs the design, not on the number in the name.
When to use an I-beam and when an H-beam
- I-beams (IPE) — floor and roof beams, rafters, secondary beams and lintels: members bent about the major axis where there is room for depth. Per kilogram, the most efficient section for spans.
- H-beams (HEA, HEB) — columns, heavily loaded beams where depth is limited, crane runway columns, frame members carrying both bending and axial load, and transfer beams.
- IPN — mainly where existing drawings or refurbishment work call for it, and on some crane runways.
- Unrestrained beams — a beam without lateral support along its length can fail by lateral-torsional buckling. Wider flanges resist this better, so an H-section can be the better beam when the compression flange is not braced.
Weight and cost
Structural steel is priced by weight, so the section that carries the load with the fewest kilograms per metre is usually the cheapest. Estimate tonnage as kg/m × length (m) × pieces ÷ 1000, check sizes in the beam size and weight tables, or use the weight calculator for other shapes.
Frequently asked questions
Is an H-beam stronger than an I-beam?
It depends on the direction of load. At equal weight an I-beam is stiffer in bending about the major axis: IPE 300 has Iy = 8356 cm⁴ against 3692 cm⁴ for HEA 200. The H-beam is stiffer about the minor axis and better as a column.
What do HEA, HEB and HEM mean?
They are the light, medium and heavy European wide-flange series. At the same nominal size, HEB has thicker web and flanges than HEA, and HEM thicker again. HEB 200 weighs 61.3 kg/m against 42.3 kg/m for HEA 200.
Is a W-beam an H-beam or an I-beam?
W stands for wide flange in the US system and covers both proportions. Deep, narrow W shapes are used as beams like IPE; near-square W8 to W14 shapes are used as columns like HEA and HEB.
Can I replace an IPE with an HEA of the same weight?
Not without a check by the engineer. An HEA of the same weight is shallower and much less stiff in bending about the major axis, so deflection and capacity change. Substitution must be based on section properties, not weight.
See the sizes we supply for HEA, HEB, IPE and IPN beams. Beams can be supplied cut to length, or drilled, welded and coated through our structural steel fabrication. Send your section list with a quote request.
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