Home Improvement
Linear feet of decking
Rows times the run they cover, with the waste allowance applied.
The Formula
linear feet = rows x deck length x (1 + waste)
Rows times the run they cover, with the waste allowance applied.
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| L | Linear feet | feet | The total length of board to buy. |
| r | Rows | rows | The number of boards across the width. |
| l | Deck length | feet | The dimension the boards run along. |
| w | Waste | decimal | Extra fraction for cuts and defects. |
What Each Symbol Means
Lfeet
Linear feet
The total length of board to buy.
rrows
Rows
The number of boards across the width.
lfeet
Deck length
The dimension the boards run along.
wdecimal
Waste
Extra fraction for cuts and defects.
See It Worked With Real Numbers
A formula on its own does not tell you which number goes where. The how to calculate deck boards needed page applies this equation to a concrete case, shows every intermediate step, and names the mistakes that produce a wrong answer even when the algebra is right.
Where This Formula Appears
This equation is the working core of How To Calculate Deck Boards Needed, filed under Everyday Life. Every number the guide produces comes from substituting into this one line.