Deck Calculators & Planning Guides
Estimate decking, joists, fasteners, footings and concrete from one project. Start with the complete Deck Materials Calculator or use a specialized tool for one part of the build.
Plan the deck takeoff
The flagship calculator combines deck-board coverage, joist layout, fasteners and a preliminary footing/concrete estimate with a visual project layout.
Deck Materials Calculator
Calculate deck area, board rows, decking linear feet, joists, fasteners, preliminary footings and concrete bags.
Open Deck Materials Calculator →Deck quick answers
Start with a common deck size or use these references for planning questions, then adjust the calculator to your exact project.
12×16 Deck Materials & Cost
Start with a 192 sq ft deck and get an interactive layout, material takeoff and project cost estimate.
Plan project →How Many Deck Boards Do I Need?
Deck-board quantities for common deck sizes, board widths and waste allowances.
Read guide →Deck Joist Spacing Guide
Understand common on-center spacing and calculate joist counts for your layout.
Read guide →Material planning is not structural design
Deck loads, spans, beam sizing, ledger attachment, footing size and depth, guard requirements and connections depend on the actual design and applicable requirements. Use PlanDIYBuild for quantity planning, then verify structural details and local requirements before building.