How many deck boards do I need?

Boards run the length of the deck across joists set 16 inches apart.

Deck length (board direction) (ft)Deck width (ft)Board widthBoard length

Deck boards

29 boards

Deck screws676 screws

Joists (16 in apart)13 joists

Deck area192 sq ft

Estimated material cost

Deck boards

29 x $$22.00 per board

$638

Deck screws

676 x $$0.10 per screw

$67.60

Joists

13 x $$25.00 per joist

$325

Estimated total$1,031

Typical store prices before tax and delivery. Change any price to match your store.

How to measure

Measure the deck length along the direction the boards run, and the deck width across them.

Tips from the field

Leaves about 3/16 inch between boards for drainage. Includes 10% extra.
Composite decking may need 12 inch joist spacing on diagonals. Check the brand's specs.

What you'll need

Deck boardsDeck screwsJoist tapeBoard spacers

Common questions

How far apart should deck boards be?

About 1/8 to 1/4 inch for drainage. Wet pressure-treated boards can go tight since they shrink as they dry.

How many screws per deck board?

Two screws at every joist the board crosses.

What joist spacing does composite need?

Usually 16 inches, or 12 inches for diagonal layouts. Check the brand's instructions.

Add this calculator to your websiteFree

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<p style="font:14px sans-serif">Free <a href="https://housecalcs.com/tools/deck-board-calculator">deck board calculator</a> from HouseCalcs</p>
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