Beam Calculator

1. Set the beam length — enter the span in metres. Supports are automatically placed at each end.
2. Add loads — add point loads (kN at a position) or distributed loads (kN/m over a range). Mix and match as needed.
3. Click Calculate — see support reactions, shear force diagram, and bending moment diagram instantly.

Built for Engineers, by Engineers

This calculator is designed to feel like the tools you already use — define your supports, add your loads, and get results immediately. No sign-up, no limitations, no ads. For an even more powerful experience inside Excel, our interactive mock-Excel demo shows the full BeamBuddy add-in running inside a simulated spreadsheet.

Why Is This Free?

We're structural engineers ourselves, and we know that quick beam checks shouldn't require expensive software or a login. This calculator exists because we believe every engineer should have access to a reliable, no-nonsense analysis tool — no account needed, no limitations on usage.

It's also a taste of what BeamBuddy can do. If you want to see the full add-in experience, our interactive mock-Excel demo shows BeamBuddy running inside a simulated spreadsheet. If all you need is a quick beam check, this calculator has you covered — forever, completely free.

Simply Supported Beam Analysis

A simply supported beam has a pin support at one end and a roller support at the other. This is one of the most common structural configurations in steel and concrete design. The pin support resists both vertical and horizontal forces, while the roller resists only vertical forces, allowing thermal expansion.

For a single point load P at distance a from the left support on a beam of span L, the reactions are: R₁ = P(L−a)/L and R₂ = Pa/L. The maximum bending moment occurs at the load point and equals R₁ × a.

When You'll Need More

This free calculator covers simply supported beams with point and distributed loads — which handles a surprising number of real-world checks. But if your project involves continuous beams, multiple spans, partial or trapezoidal loading, steel section design to Eurocode 3, or you need results linked into your Excel calculation sheets, that's where the full BeamBuddy add-in comes in.

Learn More About Beam Analysis