What size beam do I need for a 12 foot span? check this out | how far can a 6×12 beam span
Daniel Johnston
Updated on July 17, 2026
A double ply beam can span in feet if there is no overhang beyond it. A double 2×12 beam can span 12 feet, a double 2×10 can span 10 feet, and so on.
How big of a beam do I need to span 16 feet?
Wood beam size for a 16 foot span:- as per general thumb rule, for a 16 foot span, size of wood beam or lumber joist should be 2×10 which placed at 16″ apart from centre used for residential building or projects or construction in which depth of section of beam is 250mm (10″) and width of beam is 50 mm or 2″.
How far can a wood beam span without support?
But first, generally, how far can a 2×8 span without support? Depending on various factors, the maximum span for a 2×8 floor joist is 16′ 6”. The maximum span for roof rafters is 23′ 9”. For headers, the maximum span is 11′ 2”.
How far can you span a 6×6?
A 6 x 6 beam spans up to 14 feet and should not be used as a beam because it is not able to cover the load, not even the roofing. 6 x 6 can support a 4000 lbs weight if one uses it in a double beam way. Try using a bigger beam with a better span.
What size lumber can span 13 feet?
A 2×6 spaced 16 inches apart can span a maximum distance of 13 feet 5 inches when used as a rafter, 10 feet 9 inches when used as a joist, and 6 feet 11 inches when used as a deck beam to support joists with a 6-foot span. What is this?
What size beam do I need for a 15 foot span?
Wood beam size for a 15 foot span:- as per general thumb rule, for a 15 foot span, size of wood beam or lumber joist should be 2×10 which placed at 16″ apart from centre used for residential building or projects or construction in which depth of section of beam is 250mm (10″) and width of beam is 50 mm or 2″.
What size beam do I need for an 18 foot span?
What size lvl beam for a 18 foot span:- as per general thumb rule, for a 18 foot span, size of LVL beam or GLULAM should be 9 to 10 inches deep and 3 inches wide, thus you need something like a 9-10″ GLULAM or LVL to span upto 18 feet and can use simple 2×12 dimensional lumber at 16″ apart from centre as floor joists
How much weight can a 6×6 support horizontally?
A 6×6 with 12′ span can support 2000 lbs. if you assume a conservative 1400psi bending stress. If you do a good job bonding the two members together, your double 6×6 can support more than 4,000 lbs.
What size lumber can span 24 feet?
For span upto 24 feet, generally you need 4 1/2 × 11 1/4 standard size of LVL beam or 2×16 dimensional lumber at 16″ apart from centre on normal weight condition which providing great stability for your projects.
How big of a beam do I need to span 20 feet?
Wood beam size for a 20 foot span:- as per general thumb rule, for a 20 foot span, size of wood beam or lumber joist should be 2×14 which placed at 16″ apart from centre used for residential building or projects or construction in which depth of section of beam is 350mm (14″) and width of beam is 50 mm or 2″.
How far can a 2 by 12 span?
A 2×12 with an E of 800,000 psi and Fb of 790 psi also works, since it can span 15 feet and 10 inches. Given a design span of 15 feet 1 inch and a 16 inch joist spacing, first determine which size lumber will work.
How long can joists span?
How Far Can Floor Joists Span? A floor joist can span nearly 26′ in the most extreme cases. A select douglas fir 2×12 supporting a 30 psf live load and 10 psf dead load, spaced at 12” will have the greatest span length.
What size beam do I need to span 24 feet?
Wood beam size for a 24 foot span:- as per general thumb rule, for a 24 foot span, size of wood beam or lumber joist should be 2×16 which placed at 16″ apart from centre used for residential building or projects or construction in which depth of section of beam is 400mm (16″) and width of beam is 50 mm or 2″.
Can a 6×6 span 14 feet?
A 6×6, like any piece of lumber, can span greater distances than any Code allows. A #2 S-P 6×6 will span between 7′-0” and 8′-6” for joist spans of 6-feet, and 4′-2” to 4′-11” with joist spans of 18-feet depending on loads.
Can you use a 6×6 for a deck beam?
Triple beams for decks (3-2x’s) should be supported with 6×6 posts using a post beam connector bracket. A positive connection using a post beam bracket installed on top of the post and nailed to the side of the beam is the most secure connection.
How far can an 8X8 beam span?
From contributor I: 20 to 25 feet is a serious span – an 8X8 won’t even come close.