Cantilever Beam Calculator

Calculate fixed-end reaction, shear, bending moment, tip deflection, allowable deflection, and span ratio for a cantilever beam. Use this calculator for balcony beams, overhangs, brackets, canopies, projecting beams, shelves, and preliminary structural planning.

Calculate Cantilever Beam

Cantilever beam: end load moment = PL, uniform load moment = wL² ÷ 2, and maximum moment occurs at the fixed support.
Your result will appear here.

How the cantilever beam calculator works

End point load:
The calculator estimates fixed-end reaction, fixed-end moment, and tip deflection for a load applied at the free end.

Uniform load:
The calculator estimates total distributed load, fixed-end shear, fixed-end moment, and tip deflection for a load spread across the cantilever length.

Combined load:
The calculator adds end point load effects and uniform load effects together for a basic combined cantilever result.

Deflection check:
The calculator compares estimated tip deflection to the selected span-based limit, such as L/240 or L/360.

Why use a cantilever beam calculator?

A cantilever beam calculator helps estimate the forces and movement in a projecting beam before choosing a beam size or reviewing a support detail.

It can help compare fixed-end reaction, shear, bending moment, total load, tip deflection, allowable deflection, and span ratio for preliminary structural planning.

What your result means

Your result shows estimated total load, fixed-end reaction, maximum shear, fixed-end bending moment, tip deflection, allowable deflection, and span ratio. These values are simplified estimates and do not replace structural design.

Cantilever beam formulas

Frequently asked questions

What is a cantilever beam?

A cantilever beam is fixed or restrained at one end and projects outward with the other end unsupported. Common examples include overhangs, balconies, brackets, canopies, and projecting beams.

Where is maximum moment on a cantilever beam?

For common cantilever load cases, maximum bending moment occurs at the fixed support because that support resists the beam rotation and load effect.

Why is cantilever deflection important?

Cantilevers can feel flexible because the free end moves more than a typical simply supported beam. Tip deflection is often an important serviceability check.

Can this calculator size a cantilever beam?

No. This calculator estimates basic cantilever forces and deflection. Final sizing depends on material, grade, section properties, shear, bending, deflection, bearing, anchorage, connections, bracing, code requirements, and professional review.