IPE 300 vs W 12X26
IPE 300 is an IPE section from the European (Continental) range; W 12X26 is the closest equivalent in the American AISC Shapes Database. IPE 300 carries more bending: 628 cm³ of plastic modulus against 609.6 cm³, 3.0% more. W 12X26 is the lighter of the two at 38.7 kg/m against 42.2 kg/m, a saving of 9.0% on steel weight. W 12X26 is deeper, 309.9 mm against 300 mm, which matters where the floor zone is tight.
| Property | IPE 300 IPE | W 12X26 W | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 42.2 kg/m | 38.7 kg/m | +9.0% |
| Depth | 300 mm | 309.9 mm | -3.2% |
| Width | 150 mm | 164.8 mm | -9.0% |
| Web thickness | 7.1 mm | 5.8 mm | +22.4% |
| Flange thickness | 10.7 mm | 9.7 mm | +10.3% |
| Area | 53.8 cm² | 49.4 cm² | +8.9% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 8,360 cm⁴ | 8,491 cm⁴ | -1.5% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 628 cm³ | 609.6 cm³ | +3.0% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 557 cm³ | 547.33 cm³ | +1.8% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 604 cm⁴ | 720.1 cm⁴ | -16.1% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 125 cm³ | 133.88 cm³ | -6.6% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 3.35 cm | 3.84 cm | -12.8% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 19.9 cm⁴ | 12.49 cm⁴ | +59.3% |
IPE 300 to EN 10365 · Continental Steel; W 12X26 to AISC Shapes Database v16.0. Difference is expressed relative to W 12X26.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, W 12X26 has the larger second moment of area: 8,491 cm⁴ against 8,360 cm⁴, a difference of 1.5%. 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 12X26 is the more efficient section: 15.8 against 14.9 cm³ per kg/m, 5.5% 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.
These come from different catalogues, so treat the swap as a design change rather than a like-for-like substitution. IPE sections are specified to EN 10365 · Continental Steel and W to AISC Shapes Database v16.0; 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 9.0% weight.
In short, IPE 300 is the stronger section and W 12X26 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.