Enter deck dimensions, board width, and gap spacing to estimate total decking linear feet with waste — surface boards only, not joists or hardware.
Enter your project dimensions and click Calculate to see your estimate.
Typical materials for a decking project
Linear feet cover decking surface only. Framing lumber and hardware are ordered separately.
Decking board length is estimated from deck area divided by effective board width including gap spacing, with waste for cuts and defects.
Results are planning estimates based on typical assumptions. Verify quantities with product labels and your project layout before purchase. How we calculate
Deck area divided by effective board width including gap gives linear feet of decking. Enter deck length, width, board width, and gap — the calculator includes waste and rounds up.
Gap between boards reduces how much area each row covers. Ignoring gap leads to under-ordering. A 5.5-inch board with a quarter-inch gap covers 5.75 inches per row.
Add 10% for straight runs to cover cuts, defects, and length mismatches. Complex layouts, stairs, and picture frames may need 12–15%.
No. This calculator estimates decking board linear feet only. Joists, posts, hardware, and railing are separate material lists.
Use actual nominal width — for example, 5.5 inches for a 2×6 deck board. Composite products list their exact face width on the packaging.
This is a material planning estimate only. Joist spacing, ledger attachment, and guardrail requirements must meet local building codes.
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