W 44X262 vs HE 1000 x 438
W 44X262 is an W section from the American AISC Shapes Database; HE 1000 x 438 is the closest equivalent in the European (Continental) range. They are close to interchangeable in bending: 20811.6 cm³ against 20800 cm³ of plastic modulus, a difference of 0.1%. W 44X262 is the lighter of the two at 389.9 kg/m against 438 kg/m, a saving of 11.0% on steel weight. W 44X262 is deeper, 1099.8 mm against 1026 mm, which matters where the floor zone is tight.
| Property | W 44X262 W | HE 1000 x 438 HE | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 389.9 kg/m | 438 kg/m | -11.0% |
| Depth | 1099.8 mm | 1026 mm | +7.2% |
| Width | 401.3 mm | 305 mm | +31.6% |
| Web thickness | 19.9 mm | 26.9 mm | -26.0% |
| Flange thickness | 36.1 mm | 49 mm | -26.3% |
| Area | 498.1 cm² | 556 cm² | -10.4% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 1,003,118 cm⁴ | 909,000 cm⁴ | +10.4% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 20,811.6 cm³ | 20,800 cm³ | +0.1% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 18,189.6 cm³ | 17,700 cm³ | +2.8% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 38,418 cm⁴ | 23,400 cm⁴ | +64.2% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 2,982.4 cm³ | 2,460 cm³ | +21.2% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 8.81 cm | 6.48 cm | +36.0% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 1,553 cm⁴ | 3,180 cm⁴ | -51.2% |
W 44X262 to AISC Shapes Database v16.0; HE 1000 x 438 to EN 10365 · Continental Steel. Difference is expressed relative to HE 1000 x 438.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, W 44X262 has the larger second moment of area: 1,003,118 cm⁴ against 909,000 cm⁴, a difference of 10.4%. This matters more often than the strength comparison, because on normal floor spans deflection rather than bending capacity sets the beam size - so if the two are close on modulus but apart on inertia, the stiffer one is usually the better answer even when it is not the stronger one.
Measured as bending capacity per kilogram of steel, W 44X262 is the more efficient section: 53.4 against 47.5 cm³ per kg/m, 12.4% better. Over a floor of repeated beams that difference is real tonnage, though it is often outweighed by whichever section the fabricator can actually source.
The two diverge much more about the minor axis: W 44X262 has 2982.4 cm³ of minor-axis plastic modulus against 2460 cm³, 21.2% more. If the member sees any minor-axis bending, or if it is unrestrained over a long length and lateral-torsional buckling governs, that gap decides the comparison even though the major-axis numbers looked equivalent.
These come from different catalogues, so treat the swap as a design change rather than a like-for-like substitution. W sections are specified to AISC Shapes Database v16.0 and HE to EN 10365 · Continental Steel; the steel grades, tolerances and available lengths differ, connection details and bolt gauges are set out differently, and the two are rarely both stocked in the same market. Check availability before changing a section on a drawing to save 11.0% weight.
In short, W 44X262 is the stronger section and W 44X262 is the lighter one; where those are the same section, it is the clear choice, and where they are not, decide on whether your design is governed by capacity or by tonnage.