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.
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Dimensions and weight, size by size
| 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.
| 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.
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