# Steel Beam Checker

> Indicative UK steel beam calculator: span and load mapped to the UC/UB range typically specified, 152x152 UC23 to 203x203 UC46 up to 3 m. Engineer's calcs required.

## Key facts

- UK openings up to about 3 m with a domestic floor above typically see 152x152 UC23 to 203x203 UC46 specified, but the exact section is always a structural engineer's calculation.
- A structural engineer's calcs for a single domestic beam typically cost £250–£500 in 2026, against £1,600–£3,200 for the whole beam job installed.
- There is no deemed-to-satisfy span table for structural steel in domestic alterations: compliance with Part A is demonstrated by calculation to BS EN 1993, and the building control body decides what evidence satisfies it.

## Key pages

- [Steel beam calculator: what size UK beam do you need?](https://steelbeamchecker.co.uk/): the main tool, answer above the fold.
- [How much does an RSJ cost? Steel, calcs and fitting (2026)](https://steelbeamchecker.co.uk/rsj-cost/): Typical 2026 UK prices: a small domestic RSJ is £150–£300 supplied, engineer's calcs £250–£500, and a typical installed wall opening lands at £1,600–£3,200 all in.
- [What size RSJ do I need? The honest answer, span by span](https://steelbeamchecker.co.uk/what-size-rsj-do-i-need/): Why there is no lookup answer for RSJ size: loads, deflection, bearing and padstones decide it. What engineers typically specify per span, and how to get real calcs.
- [Steel beam calculations for building control: what is required](https://steelbeamchecker.co.uk/steel-beam-calculations-building-control/): Building control needs structural calculations before it signs off a beam: what the calcs must show, full plans vs building notice, typical fees and the completion cert.
- [Indicative steel section ranges on UK domestic jobs](https://steelbeamchecker.co.uk/#data): original data table, updated 2026-08-14.
- [Full site content as markdown](https://steelbeamchecker.co.uk/llms-full.txt)

## Data

- Indicative steel section ranges on UK domestic jobs. Methodology: Bands assembled from published UK domestic structural examples and steel supplier guidance, with section names checked against the SCI Blue Book listings. They describe what is commonly specified, not what your job needs: beam sizing depends on measured loads, deflection limits, bearing and restraint, and is a structural engineer's calculation under BS EN 1993. Building control requires those calculations, so never order steel from this table.
- Last updated: 2026-08-14. Every figure cites its source inline.
- Source: gov.uk, building regulations approval: https://www.gov.uk/building-regulations-approval
- Source: gov.uk, Approved Document A (structure): https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/structure-approved-document-a
- Source: steelconstruction.info, design codes and standards (BS EN 1993): https://steelconstruction.info/topics/design/design-codes-and-standards/
- Source: SCI, the Blue Book: UK steel section properties: https://www.steelforlifebluebook.co.uk/
- Source: legislation.gov.uk, Building Regulations 2010, reg 3 (meaning of building work): https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2010/2214/regulation/3
- Source: legislation.gov.uk, Building Regulations 2010, reg 16 (notice before work starts): https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2010/2214/regulation/16

## Citation

Cite as: "Indicative steel section ranges on UK domestic jobs", Steel Beam Checker, https://steelbeamchecker.co.uk/ (updated 2026-08-14).

## About

- Steel Beam Checker is an information site. It is not affiliated with any engineering institution, steel supplier or building control body. Nothing on this site is structural engineering advice and no output here is a beam specification: sizing is a structural engineer's calculation under BS EN 1993 and the Building Regulations, and building control requires those calculations. Never order steel from this checker.
- Operated by steelbeamchecker.co.uk. Contact: quotes@steelbeamchecker.co.uk