Door Header Size Calculator
Free Door header size Calculator for home & garden projects. Enter dimensions to get material lists and cost estimates.
Formula
Header Size = f(Opening Width, Wall Type, Stories Above, Roof Load)
Header sizing follows IRC Table R602.7 guidelines. The required header depth increases with opening width and the loads it must carry. Load per linear foot is calculated by multiplying the tributary width (typically 6 ft) by the combined dead and live loads for each story above, plus roof loads if applicable. The total load equals load per linear foot times the span in feet.
Worked Examples
Example 1: Standard Interior Bearing Wall Door
Problem: Size a header for a 36-inch door in a bearing wall supporting one floor above, no roof load.
Solution: Opening = 36 in = 3 ft\nBearing wall, 1 story above, no roof\nLoad = 300 plf x 3 ft = 900 lbs total\nSpan under 4 ft in bearing wall = 2x6 header
Result: Two 2x6 with 1/2 inch plywood spacer, 1 jack stud each side
Example 2: Wide Garage Door Opening
Problem: Size a header for a 96-inch (8 ft) garage door opening in a bearing wall supporting the roof.
Solution: Opening = 96 in = 8 ft\nBearing wall, 1 story, roof load\nLoad = (300 + 210) x 8 = 4,080 lbs total\n8 ft span with roof = 2x12 header
Result: Two 2x12 with 1/2 inch plywood spacer, 1 jack stud each side
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I determine the correct header size for a door opening?
Header size depends on the opening width, whether the wall is load-bearing, the number of stories above, and whether the header carries roof loads. For non-bearing walls, a doubled 2x4 suffices for openings up to 4 feet. For bearing walls supporting one floor, use doubled 2x6 for up to 4 feet, 2x8 for up to 6 feet, 2x10 for up to 8 feet, and 2x12 for wider openings. Always consult local building codes and IRC Table R602.7 for your specific situation.
What is the difference between a bearing and non-bearing wall header?
A bearing wall header carries the weight of the structure above it, including floors, roof, and any additional stories. It must be sized to safely transfer these loads to the jack studs and foundation below. A non-bearing wall header only supports the weight of the wall framing above the opening, which is minimal. Non-bearing wall headers can be much smaller, but many builders use a doubled 2x6 as a minimum standard for any opening wider than 3 feet.
How wide should the rough opening be for a standard door?
The rough opening should be 2 inches wider and 2 to 2.5 inches taller than the door slab or frame. A standard 36-inch door needs a 38-inch wide rough opening, and a standard 80-inch door needs an 82 to 82.5-inch tall rough opening. This extra space allows for shimming, leveling, and installing the door frame. Pre-hung doors typically specify their exact rough opening requirements on the packaging.
When do I need an engineered header like an LVL beam?
Engineered headers such as laminated veneer lumber (LVL) or steel beams are needed when standard dimensional lumber cannot carry the required load. This typically occurs with openings wider than 8 feet in bearing walls, or openings wider than 6 feet when supporting two or more stories plus a roof. LVL beams are stronger and more dimensionally stable than sawn lumber, allowing wider spans without deflection. A structural engineer should specify the exact size for these applications.
What are jack studs and king studs in door framing?
Jack studs, also called trimmer studs, are the shorter vertical members that directly support the header on each side of a door opening. King studs are the full-length studs that run from the bottom plate to the top plate of the wall, sitting directly next to the jack studs. Together, they create a strong load path that transfers the weight from the header down to the foundation. For openings wider than 8 feet, two jack studs on each side are typically required to handle the increased load.
How do I build a header for a 2x4 wall versus a 2x6 wall?
For a standard 2x4 wall with a total thickness of 3.5 inches, headers are typically built by sandwiching a half-inch plywood spacer between two pieces of dimensional lumber to achieve the correct 3.5-inch total width. For a 2x6 wall at 5.5 inches thick, you can use three pieces of lumber with two plywood spacers, or use wider engineered lumber. Some builders use rigid foam insulation as the spacer in 2x6 walls to add thermal resistance, since headers are a common source of heat loss in exterior walls.