HEA vs HEB — what is the difference and which H beam to specify

HEA and HEB are the same family of European wide-flange H sections (EN 10365): for a given nominal size they share the flange width, and differ in web and flange thickness — HEB is the standard series, HEA the light series about 25–30% lighter, HEM the heavy series 60–80% heavier. Price per ton is the same, so the choice is purely structural: HEA where the load is moderate and weight matters, HEB where capacity, stiffness or connection thickness governs.

Dimensions and weight, size by size

HEA vs HEB (EN 10365) — h × b × tw × tf, mass, Ix
Size	HEA (mm)	HEA kg/m	HEA Ix (cm⁴)	HEB (mm)	HEB kg/m	HEB Ix (cm⁴)	HEB / HEA mass
HE 100	96 × 100 × 5 × 8	16.7	349	100 × 100 × 6 × 10	20.4	450	1.22
HE 120	114 × 120 × 5 × 8	19.9	606	120 × 120 × 6.5 × 11	26.7	864	1.34
HE 140	133 × 140 × 5.5 × 8.5	24.7	1 033	140 × 140 × 7 × 12	33.7	1 509	1.36
HE 160	152 × 160 × 6 × 9	30.4	1 673	160 × 160 × 8 × 13	42.6	2 492	1.40
HE 180	171 × 180 × 6 × 9.5	35.5	2 510	180 × 180 × 8.5 × 14	51.2	3 831	1.44
HE 200	190 × 200 × 6.5 × 10	42.3	3 692	200 × 200 × 9 × 15	61.3	5 696	1.45
HE 220	210 × 220 × 7 × 11	50.5	5 410	220 × 220 × 9.5 × 16	71.5	8 091	1.42
HE 240	230 × 240 × 7.5 × 12	60.3	7 763	240 × 240 × 10 × 17	83.2	11 260	1.38
HE 260	250 × 260 × 7.5 × 12.5	68.2	10 450	260 × 260 × 10 × 17.5	93.0	14 920	1.36
HE 300	290 × 300 × 8.5 × 14	88.3	18 260	300 × 300 × 11 × 19	117	25 170	1.33
HE 400	390 × 300 × 11 × 19	125	45 070	400 × 300 × 13.5 × 24	155	57 680	1.24
HE 500	490 × 300 × 12 × 23	155	86 970	500 × 300 × 14.5 × 28	187	107 200	1.21
HE 600	590 × 300 × 13 × 25	178	141 200	600 × 300 × 15.5 × 30	212	171 000	1.19

Capacity: how much more does HEB carry?

Bending capacity follows the section modulus: HEB 200 (Wpl 643 cm³) carries 47% more moment than HEA 200 (429 cm³) for 45% more weight — almost the same strength per kilogram. As a column the picture favours HEB slightly more because its thicker flanges give a higher radius of gyration and a better buckling curve: HEB 200 carries about 55% more than HEA 200 at 6 m. So per kilogram they are equivalent; the choice is about the depth you can afford and the connections.

Working capacities, S275 (from our load-capacity guide)
Size	HEA: UDL 6 m (kN/m)	HEB: UDL 6 m (kN/m)	HEA: column 6 m (kN)	HEB: column 6 m (kN)
HE 160	15.3	22.4	331	479
HE 200	28.4	41.8	568	845
HE 240	49.0	69.3	970	1 370
HE 300	85.8	122	1 640	2 270

When HEA is the right choice

Secondary beams and floor beams where the depth is fixed by architecture and the load is moderate
Columns in low-rise buildings (2–4 storeys) and portal frames — HEA 160–240 covers most
Mezzanines, platforms, canopy columns, crane-free industrial halls
Where weight drives the price: 25–30% less steel for the same nominal size
Bolted connections with thinner end plates (flange 8–14 mm)

When HEB (or HEM) is needed

Heavily loaded columns in multi-storey and industrial buildings, transfer beams
Crane runway beams and columns (fatigue, thick flanges for rails and brackets)
Moment connections where the flange must take bolt bearing and welds (flange 15–30 mm)
Where a smaller depth must carry the same load (HEB 200 ≈ HEA 240 capacity at 40 mm less depth)
Base plates and piles — HEB/HEM for stiffness; HEM for bridge and offshore members

Price and availability

Same price per ton on our list (S275JR standard, S355J2 for common sizes), so an HEA 200 bar costs 30% less than HEB 200 per metre. Both series HE 100–600 are stocked in 12 m; HEM in the common sizes. See H beams HEA / HEB for the full chart and export terms.

HEA vs HEB vs IPE — the short version

IPE: floor and roof beams, lightest per capacity, narrow flanges. HEA: light columns and beams where weight matters. HEB: columns, heavy beams, cranes, connections. HEM: very heavy columns and bridge members. Full comparison on the IPE / IPN page.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between HEA and HEB?

Same nominal size and flange width, different thickness: HEB has thicker web and flanges (HEB 200: 9/15 mm vs HEA 200: 6.5/10 mm), is 20–45% heavier and carries proportionally more; HEA is a few millimetres shallower (190 vs 200 mm).

Is HEB stronger than HEA?

Yes for the same nominal size — about 45% more bending and 50–55% more column capacity at HE 200 — but per kilogram they are equivalent.

Which is cheaper?

Per ton the same; per metre HEA is 20–45% cheaper because it weighs less. If HEA carries the load, it is the economical choice.

Can I replace HEB 200 with HEA 240?

Structurally often yes (similar capacity, HEA 240 = 60.3 kg/m vs HEB 200 = 61.3), but the depth increases by 30 mm and the flange is thinner for connections — check with the engineer.

What is HEM?

The heavy series (IPBv): same flange width, much thicker web and flanges — HEM 200 = 103 kg/m vs HEB 200 = 61.3 — for very heavy columns and bridge members.