Enter Steel H Beam Data
Use the responsive input grid below. It shows three columns on large screens, two on smaller screens, and one on mobile.
Example Data Table
This example uses a 300 mm × 150 mm section, 12 mm flanges, 8 mm web, 6 m length, and quantity of 2.
| Overall Depth | Flange Width | Flange Thickness | Web Thickness | Length | Qty | Area | Weight / m | Total Weight | Ix |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300 mm | 150 mm | 12 mm | 8 mm | 6 m | 2 | 58.08 cm² | 45.59 kg/m | 547.11 kg | 8,870.92 cm⁴ |
Formula Used
1) Cross-sectional area
Area = 2 × (flange width × flange thickness) + (web thickness × clear web height)
2) Volume and weight
Volume = area × beam length. Weight = volume × density. Total weight = single beam weight × quantity.
3) Strong-axis inertia
Ix = web inertia + both flange inertias using the parallel-axis theorem.
4) Weak-axis inertia
Iy = sum of each rectangle inertia about the vertical centroidal axis.
5) Section modulus and radius of gyration
Sx = Ix / (overall depth ÷ 2), Sy = Iy / (flange width ÷ 2), r = √(I/A).
6) Estimated elastic moment capacity
M = Fy × S. This calculator reports elastic major-axis and minor-axis moment values.
7) Estimated uniform load capacity
For a simply supported beam under uniform load, Mmax = wL² / 8 and maximum deflection = 5wL⁴ / (384EI).
These capacity values are preliminary estimates. Final design should always follow the applicable structural code, load combinations, buckling checks, and connection design rules.
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter the beam dimensions: overall depth, flange width, flange thickness, and web thickness.
- Select the dimension unit, then enter beam length and span length.
- Add quantity, steel density, price per kilogram, yield strength, elastic modulus, and deflection ratio.
- Click Calculate Beam to generate results above the form.
- Review weight, inertia, section modulus, estimated capacity, and material cost.
- Use the CSV or PDF buttons to export the result summary.
Frequently Asked Questions
1) What does this steel H beam calculator compute?
It calculates area, weight, volume, inertia, section modulus, radii of gyration, estimated elastic moment capacity, estimated uniform load, and material cost from user-entered section dimensions and length.
2) Why is density important in beam weight calculations?
Density converts section volume into mass. For common structural steel, 7,850 kg/m³ is often used. Changing density affects weight per meter, total shipment mass, and material cost instantly.
3) What is the difference between Ix and Iy?
Ix measures stiffness about the strong horizontal centroidal axis. Iy measures stiffness about the weak vertical centroidal axis. Larger Ix usually means stronger resistance to major-axis bending.
4) Is the reported moment capacity a final design value?
No. It is an elastic estimate based on yield strength and section modulus. Final design should also check buckling, local slenderness, lateral restraint, load combinations, and code-specific resistance factors.
5) Why does the calculator ask for span and deflection ratio?
Those inputs let the tool estimate a simply supported uniform load limit from both bending and serviceability. The lower value governs, which helps compare stiffness and strength quickly.
6) Can I use inches and feet?
Yes. Section dimensions can be entered in inches and lengths in feet. The calculator converts them internally, then reports consistent engineering results and practical weight figures.
7) Does this work for price estimation too?
Yes. When you enter a price per kilogram and a currency symbol, the calculator multiplies the total beam weight by the entered rate to estimate material cost.
8) What makes an H beam different from an I beam?
An H beam usually has wider flanges and a more uniform profile, making it efficient for heavy structural work. Many projects use the terms loosely, so verify the actual section geometry.