Construction
Decking Boards Calculator
Board count across a width for decking.
Free to use — no sign-up or login.
Board rows
Linear feet
Boards to buy
Amortization schedule
| # | Date | Payment | Principal | Extra | Interest | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rows are the deck length divided by the board width in feet, rounded up. Sixteen feet of 5.5 inch boards is 35 rows. Each row is the deck width long, so 35 × 12 ft is 420.00 linear feet.
Fence counts are on the fence material calculator. Boards to buy matches the rounded row count.
Board width is in inches
5.5 inches is a common deck board. The formula divides that by 12 before it divides the deck length.
Linear feet versus boards
Linear feet are rows times deck width. Boards to buy is the row count, a whole number for purchasing.
Worked example: 16 ft by 12 ft
Length 16 ft, width 12 ft, board width 5.5 in. Rows 35, linear feet 420.00, boards to buy 35.
\[ rows = \lceil 16 / (5.5/12) \rceil \]
Frequently asked questions
What does the decking calculator measure?
The example buys 35 boards and reports 420.00 linear feet.
How many decimal places does decking calculator show?
The example buys 35 boards and reports 420.00 linear feet. Lengths, areas, volumes, and money use two decimals. Purchase counts are whole numbers.
Does decking calculator include waste?
The row count is already rounded up. End cuts and a waste board are not added on top.
Can decking calculator mix units?
No. decking calculator expects every input in the unit printed on its label.
Is decking calculator a code or structural check?
No. decking calculator is a quantity estimate. Local rules and site conditions stay outside the formula.
References
Assumptions and limitations
Cuts, joist spacing, and extra waste boards are ignored. Boards to buy is the rounded row count.