Results
Showing the example values — change any input to recalculate.
28 boards16 ft decking · 192 sq ft deck
- Rows of boards
- 26
- Linear feet
- 416 lf
- Joists
- 13 × 12 ft
- Rim / band board (outer end; ledger not included)
- 1 × 16 ft
- Joist hangers
- 13
- Deck screws
- 710
- Joist span check
- 2x10 OK
Which board length wastes least?
| Stock length | Boards | Linear ft bought | Offcut |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 ft | 52 | 416 | 0% |
| 10 ft | 52 | 520 | 20% |
| 12 ft | 35 | 420 | 1% |
| 16 ft ✓ | 26 | 416 | 0% |
| 20 ft | 26 | 520 | 20% |
Show the math (10 steps)
- Deck area = 192 sq ft16 × 12
- Coverage per row = 5.6875″5.5″ board + 0.1875″ gap
- Rows of boards (each row = board + gap, so the last gap is left at the outer edge) = 26⌈144″ ÷ 5.6875″⌉
- Linear feet of decking = 416 lf26 rows × 16 ft
- Boards at 16 ft (cut-aware) = 26 boards (0% offcut)least waste of 8/10/12/16/20 ft stock
- + 5% for defects & miscuts = 28 boards⌈26 × 1.05⌉
- Joists (incl. both end joists) = 13 joists⌈192″ ÷ 16″⌉ + 1
- Joist stock length = 12 ft12 ft → next even length
- Deck screws (2 per board per joist, +5%) = 71026 rows × 13 joists × 2 × 1.05
- Span check: 2x10 Southern pine @ 16″ o.c. (IRC R507.6) = OK with a beam at the outer edge144″ needed vs 14′-0″ allowed
- The last row is 1.81″ wide — rip a board or adjust the gap/overhang to avoid a skinny strip.
- The rim (band) board covers the outer end only; the ledger board fastened to the house is not included.
- This is a materials takeoff, not a structural design: joist size and span, beams, posts and footings must follow local code (e.g. AWC DCA 6).