What header means
A header is the beam over a door, window or other opening that carries the load from above across the opening to the jack studs.
Also called lintel.
Where it matters on a carpentry job
Widening an opening in a bearing wall means a bigger header. Size it from the code tables or the engineer's note for the span and load, and price temporary shoring while it is out.
What the model code says
- Where cripple studs bear on a header and its top is not laterally braced, tabulated spans for some header sizes are multiplied by 0.70 or the header is designed. (IRC 2021, Chapter 6)
Check which code edition your building department enforces for header before you quote.
Work it out
- Free calculator: Framing calculator
- Tools, templates and guides: Free carpentry resources
Sources: 2021 International Residential Code, Chapter 6, Wall Construction (ICC). Checked October 9, 2026.