About How Many Boards

How Many Boards turns the size of a home project into a shopping list. Enter your measurements, and each calculator works out what to buy and shows the sum behind every number, so you can check it or change it.

The site started with one question that comes up before every deck build: how many boards do I need? The same question applies to fence boards, tiles and bags of concrete, so those calculators followed.

How the calculators work

Every calculation runs in your browser. Nothing you type is sent to a server. The formulas use the standard sizes sold in hardware stores, in both feet-and-inches and metric, and the typical coverage figures printed on product packaging. Where a figure is typical rather than exact, such as how much floor a bag of tile adhesive covers, the page says so and shows the figure used.

What the calculators are not

They are planning and shopping estimates, not structural designs. Joist sizes, post spacing and footing depths vary with your local building code, soil and climate. Check with your permit office or a qualified builder before you build anything that carries weight.

Who makes it

How Many Boards is an independent site, built and maintained by one person. It is free to use and is supported by advertising. If you find a mistake or want a calculator that is missing, please get in touch.