How many deck boards for a 16x16 deck?
You need 35 deck boards at 16 ft long.
That is 35 rows across the 16 ft span, or 560 linear feet. Buy 616 linear feet to cover the usual 10% for cuts and defects.
A 16x16 deck by the numbers
| Deck area | 256 sq ft |
|---|---|
| Rows of decking | 35 |
| Board length | 16 ft |
| Boards to buy | 35 |
| Decking | 560 linear ft |
| With 10% waste | 616 linear ft |
| Joists at 16 in on centre | 13 |
| Footings | 9 |
| Deck screws | 1,236 |
Where that number comes from
- 16 ft across × 12 = 192 in to cover
- 192 ÷ 5.625 = 34.1 rows, rounded up to 35
- 35 rows × 16 ft long = 560 linear feet
- Add 10% for cuts and culls = 616 linear feet
Boards run the length of the deck here, so the 16 ft dimension sets board length and the 16 ft dimension sets how many rows you need. Running them the other way swaps the two numbers.
Working to a different size? The calculator takes any dimensions and returns the same figures.
Cutting a 16x16 out of stock lengths
The 16 ft run lands exactly on a 16 ft board: 35 boards, 35 rows, nothing cut and nothing left over. Why running them the other way changes the order.
Nothing longer divides into 16 ft — the next stock size up is 20 ft, which would leave an offcut too short to use as a row. Buy 35 boards at 16 ft and cut nothing.
Order 616 linear feet, not the bare 560 — about 4 spare rows on a 16x16. What the cull rate covers.
Before you order: getting a decking order right.
Other deck sizes
Deck calculator for any size, or all calculators.