EN 10056 Equal & Unequal Angle Steel: Specification, Dimensions & Application
By
/ 2026-10-26 
EN 10056 is the European standard for hot-rolled equal angle and unequal angle steel bars, widely used in structural engineering, frame fabrication, support brackets, steel towers and general construction across EU and global export markets. It covers two core categories:
- Equal angle steel (L profile): Two legs with identical width
- Unequal angle steel: Two legs with different leg widths
This standard defines dimensional tolerances, mass, section properties, marking rules and delivery requirements for carbon steel angles, normally paired with material grades like S235JR, S275JR, S355JR (per EN 10025).
EN 10056-1 vs EN 10056-2 Difference
- EN 10056-1: Dimensions Specifies nominal sizes, leg width, leg thickness, root radius, section area, theoretical weight and geometric section parameters (I, W, radius of gyration).
- EN 10056-2: Tolerances on shape and dimensions Covers permissible deviation for leg width, thickness, straightness, twist, end cut and cross-section. This is the key clause for QC inspection and MTC checking.
Equal Angle Steel (Equal Leg Angle) – EN 10056
Equal angle is the most common L-shaped profile. Leg 1 = Leg 2. Example sizes: 20x20mm, 30x30mm, 40x40mm, 50x50mm, 60x60mm, 80x80mm, 100x100mm, 120x120mm, 150x150mm. Typical uses:
- Steel bracing & truss members
- Handrail frames, fence posts
- Small equipment support brackets
- Container accessories, trailer frames
Unequal Angle Steel (Unequal Leg Angle) – EN 10056
Unequal angle features two different leg widths, e.g. 40×25, 50×30, 60×40, 70×45, 80×50, 100×65, 120×80 mm. Advantage: Flexible moment distribution, ideal when load is biased to one side. Typical uses:
- Bridge auxiliary structure
- Crane runway supports
- Solar mounting bracket components
- Ship secondary structure, machinery base frames
Common Steel Grades for EN 10056 Angles
| Grade | Standard | Characteristic | Common Market |
|---|---|---|---|
| S235JR | EN10025-2 | Low carbon, easy welding, general purpose | Civil construction, non-load critical parts |
| S275JR | EN10025-2 | Medium strength, good formability | Building frames, warehouse steelwork |
| S355JR / S355J0 / S355J2 | EN10025-2 | High structural strength | Heavy load structure, tower, engineering projects |
Note: We can supply angles with 3.1 MTC mill test certificate to match EN 10056 requirements for European tender projects.
EN 10056 Angle Steel Packing & Shipment
Standard export package for angle steel:
- Bundled by steel strapping
- Marking on each bundle: size, grade, EN 10056, heat number, net weight
- Plastic caps on ends (optional)
- Suitable for sea freight container or bulk vessel shipment
