Home Improvement
Rows of decking across the width
The number of boards that fit side by side across the deck.
The Formula
rows = ceil(12 x deck width / (board width + gap))
The number of boards that fit side by side across the deck.
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| r | Rows | rows | The number of boards laid side by side. |
| w | Deck width | feet | The dimension the boards run across. |
| b | Board width | inches | The nominal width of one board. |
| g | Gap | inches | The spacing left between boards. |
What Each Symbol Means
rrows
Rows
The number of boards laid side by side.
wfeet
Deck width
The dimension the boards run across.
binches
Board width
The nominal width of one board.
ginches
Gap
The spacing left between boards.
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.