HEA, HEB, HEM and IPE sections: practical differences

HEA, HEB, HEM and IPE are all familiar European hot-rolled I/H-section families, but the similar size numbers can be misleading.

The most important practical rule is:

The number in the designation is not enough to determine the actual dimensions, mass or structural properties.

For example, “200” does not mean that HEA 200, HEB 200, HEM 200 and IPE 200 have identical 200 mm geometry.

IPE vs HE

At family level:

• IPE is a parallel-flange I-section family with relatively narrow flanges.
• HE is a wide-flange H-section family.

Within the HE family, common suffixes include:

• A — lighter section within a nominal HE family;
• B — heavier than A, commonly treated as the standard/heavier wide-flange option;
• M — much heavier section with thicker web and flanges.

Current producer ranges can also include other HE variants such as AA or C. Therefore A/B/M should be understood as section-series designations, not as steel grades.

A useful 200-series example

ArcelorMittal’s current Orange Book gives the following nominal section data:

This table shows why it is dangerous to compare only the nominal size.

HE 200 A is actually about 190 mm deep in this table, while HE 200 M is about 220 mm deep. The flange and web thicknesses change dramatically across the series.

What the letters do not mean

A, B and M do not identify:

• steel grade;
• toughness class;
• delivery condition;
• certification level.

An HEB 300 can be supplied in different steel grades, for example S235, S275, S355 or other permitted grades depending on mill capability and order specification.

The section designation describes the shape/size family. The material grade is a separate requirement.

Why HEA, HEB and HEM are not automatic substitutes

Moving from HEA to HEB to HEM generally increases:

• cross-sectional area;
• mass per metre;
• web thickness;
• flange thickness;
• bending stiffness and resistance properties.

But substitution is not as simple as “choose the heavier one.”

Actual:

• overall depth;
• flange width;
• root radius;
• connection geometry;
• bolt gages;
• section modulus;
• second moments of area;
• buckling behaviour

can all change.

Engineering approval is needed where one series replaces another in a designed structure.

Why IPE is different

IPE sections are proportioned more like conventional I-beams, with a much narrower flange than the HE family at similar nominal depth.

This can make IPE attractive for beam applications where major-axis bending efficiency and lower mass are important, while HE sections are widely used where wider flanges, stronger minor-axis properties, columns or connection geometry are beneficial.

Those are typical uses, not rigid rules. Structural design controls the selection.

Which standard defines the dimensions?

As of 2026, EN 10365:2026 specifies nominal dimensions and masses for hot-rolled channels, I and H sections, including IPE and HE families.

Manufacturer tables such as the ArcelorMittal Orange Book are useful working references, but the purchase order should still identify the applicable dimensional and tolerance standards.

For how the dimension symbols are read, see How to read beam dimensions.

Do not calculate the mass from the name

If you need kg/m, use the published section table.

For example, HEB 200 is approximately 61.3 kg/m, not a value derived from “200 × 200” alone. See How to calculate or look up steel-section unit weight.

MetalMate takeaway

IPE and HEA/HEB/HEM are different section families and series, not quality levels. Always compare the actual section table—h, b, tw, tf, mass and structural properties—rather than assuming that the same nominal number means the same geometry.

Related Knowledge

• How to read beam dimensions
• UB, UC and American W-sections vs European HE/IPE
• Rolled beam vs welded/fabricated beam
• How to calculate or look up steel-section unit weight

References

• NEN, EN 10365:2026 — Hot rolled steel channels, I and H sections — Dimensions and masses: https://www.nen.nl/en/nen-en-10365-2026-en-353950
• ArcelorMittal Orange Book, Wide flange HE section properties: https://orangebook.arcelormittal.com/node/16
• ArcelorMittal Orange Book, Parallel flange IPE section properties: https://orangebook.arcelormittal.com/node/6