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Wood deck

Deck calculator

A 10 × 6 ft surface with actual 6 in boards, no side gaps and 10 ft stock lengths uses 12 boards before extra material. Use your actual board width, required gap and available stock length for your deck.

Example measurements. Replace them with your project dimensions and approved product specifications.

Measured project length. Deck boards run along this direction.
ft
Measured project width, perpendicular to the length.
ft
Example only. Copy the actual width from the product, not its nominal lumber size.
in
Example only. Use the gap required by your decking manufacturer for the installation conditions.
in
Length of each board you will purchase. Whole stock lengths are counted per row; cut reuse across rows is not assumed.
ft
Your allowance for cuts, breakage and spare material. Zero adds no extra; choose the allowance for your project.
%
Use your supplier's quote. The estimate excludes labor, taxes and delivery.
$

Use actual board width and the manufacturer's required gap. This takeoff covers surface boards only, without cut reuse across rows; framing and fastening must follow the approved design.

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How the deck calculator works

Rows = round up [(width × 12 + gap) ÷ (board width + gap)]. Boards = rows × stock pieces per row, plus the extra allowance.

Worked example

Across 6 ft, twelve 6 in boards cover 72 in when the example gap is zero. A 10 ft run needs one 10 ft stock board per row, so the result is 12 boards. These sample dimensions explain the math; the manufacturer's gap requirements control your installation.

Reference quantities

Examples only, with no extra allowance: 10 ft runs, 6 in boards, zero gap, 10 ft stock.

Area (sq ft)Example quantity
6012 boards
12024 boards
24048 boards
40080 boards

Before you buy

This estimates straight surface boards on a rectangular deck only. It does not design joists, beams, posts, footings, stairs or guards. It counts stock pieces per row without sharing offcuts across rows. Plan butt joints, board-end gaps, framing support, picture framing and fasteners separately.

Does this include deck framing and fasteners?

No. Board quantity is a surface-material estimate. Use the approved framing design and the decking manufacturer's span, gap and fastening instructions. Structural components must not be selected from a surface-area formula.

Sources & method

Deck product and estimating reference. Measurement conversion: NIST international foot. How we calculate.

Keep each part of your project separate so its dimensions, allowance and purchase units stay clear. Save the results to the same project list when you are ready.

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