Home Improvement
Number of boards to buy
Converts linear feet into the lengths the supplier sells.
The Formula
boards = ceil(linear feet / board length)
Converts linear feet into the lengths the supplier sells.
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| N | Boards | boards | The number of boards to order. |
| L | Linear feet | feet | The total length needed including waste. |
| B | Board length | feet | The length you intend to buy. |
What Each Symbol Means
Nboards
Boards
The number of boards to order.
Lfeet
Linear feet
The total length needed including waste.
Bfeet
Board length
The length you intend to buy.
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.