IPE Beam Weight Table: Dimensions, Section Properties and Selection Guide

IPE sections are hot-rolled European I-beams with parallel-faced flanges. Because most of the material sits in the flanges, away from the neutral axis, they give high bending stiffness about the major axis for little weight. That makes them the default choice for roof and floor beams, purlins, platforms and secondary members in industrial buildings.

This article gives dimensions and section properties for the full range from IPE 80 to IPE 600, then explains how to read the table, how to calculate weight, how section properties feed into preliminary sizing, how to choose a steel grade, and how IPE differs from HEA/HEB and IPN sections.

IPE dimensions and masses are defined in EN 10365 (hot rolled steel channels, I and H sections; dimensions and masses), which brought the previously separate Euronorm and DIN dimension tables together. Older designations such as EU 19-57 or DIN 1025-5 are still seen on drawings and in trade. Shape and dimensional tolerances (depth, flange width, thicknesses, out-of-square, straightness and mass) are governed by EN 10034, and the steel itself by EN 10025-2 (non-alloy structural steels).

Alongside the standard series, lighter IPE A and heavier IPE O variants are rolled. With different flange and web thicknesses at the same nominal depth, they allow finer section selection, but availability is more limited than for the standard series and should be confirmed before ordering.

h is the depth, b the flange width, tw the web thickness, tf the flange thickness and r the root radius at the web-to-flange junction. A is the cross-sectional area, used for axial capacity and weight. kg/m is the nominal mass per metre.

Axes follow Eurocode notation: y-y is the major axis (perpendicular to the web, the normal bending axis of a beam) and z-z the minor axis (in the plane of the web). Iy and Iz are second moments of area (cm⁴) and govern stiffness and deflection. Wy and Wz are elastic section moduli (cm³), used for bending stress and elastic moment capacity. In an IPE 300, for instance, Wy is roughly seven times Wz; turn the same beam on its side and its bending capacity falls by that factor.

Values are taken from the EN 10365 standard tables (ArcelorMittal sales programme). For the full table including root radius (r) and section drawings, see the IPE product page.

The kg/m figure is the cross-sectional area multiplied by the density of steel (7,850 kg/m³). The working formula is kg/m = A (cm²) × 0.785. For IPE 200: 28.5 × 0.785 ≈ 22.4 kg/m.

Total weight is weight per metre times total length. For 24 bars of IPE 300 at 12 m: 24 × 12 m = 288 m; 288 × 42.2 kg/m ≈ 12,150 kg. Transport planning, crane capacity and tonnage-based pricing all start from this figure.

Table values are nominal. EN 10034 also sets limits on mass deviation as part of the rolling tolerances, so small differences between weighed and theoretical weight are normal. Agree at the order stage whether delivery and invoicing are based on theoretical or weighed weight. The steel weight calculator handles mixed sections and lengths.

Elastic moment capacity is the section modulus times the yield strength: M = W × fy. For IPE 200 in S235 about the major axis: 194.3 cm³ × 235 N/mm² ≈ 45.7 kNm. About the minor axis (Wz = 28.47 cm³) the same section carries about 6.7 kNm. This quick check is useful for narrowing down a size range. Depending on section class, Eurocode 3 also allows the plastic modulus (Wpl) to be used; the table here gives elastic values.

For beams, deflection rather than strength often governs. For a simply supported beam under uniform load, mid-span deflection is δ = 5qL⁴ / (384 E I), with E = 210,000 N/mm² for steel. Because deflection grows with the fourth power of the span, Iy becomes the limiting property before Wy on longer spans.

Shear is carried mainly by the web, so web thickness (tw) sets the shear capacity directly. On short, heavily loaded beams and near supports, shear can govern. Where concentrated loads enter through the flange, and at supports, web crushing and web crippling must also be checked, with web stiffeners added where necessary.

The narrow flanges and low torsional stiffness of IPE mean that lateral-torsional buckling can govern unrestrained beams. Restraining the compression flange at suitable intervals, through purlins, decking or bracing, is what allows the section to reach its full capacity. The figures in this article are for orientation only; final design must follow EN 1993-1-1, with partial factors, shear, local load and stability checks, and be carried out by a competent engineer.

Sections of the same nominal depth are optimised for different jobs. The table summarises the character and typical use of each family.

IPE sections are usually supplied in S235JR, S275JR and S355 grades to EN 10025-2. The number in the grade is the minimum yield strength in MPa for thinner sections; the standard reduces it in steps as thickness increases. The suffixes JR, J0 and J2 indicate that an impact energy of 27 J is met at +20 °C, 0 °C and −20 °C respectively, which matters for structures exposed to low temperatures or dynamic loading.

A higher grade allows a lighter section where strength governs. The modulus of elasticity, however, is the same for all grades: if deflection or stability governs, moving to S355 will not reduce the section size. Choose the grade according to which criterion is limiting in the calculation.

In steel buildings IPE sections serve as roof and floor beams, secondary beams framing into primaries, and long-span purlins. In industrial plants they are used for platforms, mezzanines, access walkways and machine support frames, and in fabrication for equipment bases, trailer and chassis members.

Columns usually call for HEA or HEB because they need balanced capacity about both axes; IPE is most efficient in horizontal members where bending dominates. For light roof purlins, cold-formed Z or sigma purlins can be a more economical alternative where span and load allow; see open profiles.

We supply IPE 80–600 from stock and, on request, cut to length and drilled. End plates, stiffeners and gusset plates for beam connections can be laser cut in the same plant, so beams and connection parts arrive in one delivery with matching dimensions.

For a fast, accurate quote include: section and series (for example IPE 300, standard series); grade and impact quality (for example S355J2); quantity (pieces and lengths, or tonnes); cut list (each length and quantity if cutting is required); processing (hole diameters and positions, with a drawing if available); documentation (the type of inspection document under EN 10204, if your project requires one); delivery address.

Send these through the quote form. The full dimension table and stock information are on the IPE product page.