Abstract This paper presents a test program on cold-formed high strength steel tubular beams. The nominal 0.2% proof stresses of the high strength steel were 700, 900 and 1100 MPa in this study. Twenty-five four-point bending tests on circular, rectangular and square hollow structural sections were conducted. Load-deformation histories and failure modes of the beams were reported. Experimental results were compared against design values calculated from European code, Australian standard and North American specification for hot-rolled and cold-formed steel structures. In addition, the test strengths were also compared with the Direct Strength Method predictions. The compactness criteria were assessed by comparing the section slenderness to the slenderness limits in codes.