Deck Board Calculator
Enter your deck dimensions and board width to estimate how many deck boards you need.
Deck Board Calculator
Estimate the number of deck boards and total linear footage needed for a deck.
Estimating deck boards means figuring out how many board-widths (including the small gap left between boards for drainage and expansion) fit across the width of the deck, then multiplying by the deck’s length to get total linear footage.
Example
- With the default values shown above, this calculator returns: Boards Needed (Across Width) ≈ 25.0; Total Board Linear Feet ≈ 401.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why include a gap between boards?
Deck boards need a small gap for water drainage and to allow the wood to expand and contract with humidity and temperature changes, typically around a quarter of an inch.
Does this account for board length?
No — this calculates total linear footage needed. Divide by the length of the boards you plan to buy (e.g., 12 or 16 feet) to get the number of individual boards to purchase, accounting for seams.