Real math for the hand-hewn builder.
The Straight-Grain Figures for the Hand-Hewn Builder — free calculators for framing, decking, fencing, and finishing. Straight answers for real lumber.
Browse by category
23 calculators
Framing & Structural
Board feet, joists, rafters & sizing
3 calculators
Decking, Stairs & Rails
Deck boards, stringers & balusters
6 calculators
Fencing
Posts, pickets & concrete
7 calculators
Finishing & Materials
Cost, weight & wood movement
4 finders
Finders
Plywood, wood species, fencing & decking, answered in a few questions
8 tools
Converters & Lookups
Lumber sizes, rough openings & hardness
Start here
Stair Stringer Calculator
Calculate rise, run, and stringer cuts for a safe, code-compliant staircase — the single biggest search on the entire site.
Board Foot Calculator
Convert lumber dimensions into board feet and total cost — tied for the top search on the site.
Rafter Length Calculator
Get common rafter length, cut angles, and overhang from your building's span and roof pitch.
All LumberCalcs tools
Framing & Structural
Board Foot Calculator Joist Span Calculator Plywood Calculator Rafter Calculator Rafter Length Calculator Nominal vs. Actual Lumber Sizes 1x4 Actual Size 1x6 Actual Size 1x8 Actual Size 2x4 Actual Size 2x6 Actual Size 2x8 Actual Size 2x10 Actual Size 2x12 Actual Size 4x4 Actual Size 4x6 Actual Size 6x6 Actual Size Door & Window Rough Opening Sizes Nail & Screw Size Chart Lumber Grade Guide Linear Feet, Board Feet & Cubic Feet Stud Count Calculator Header & Beam Load CalculatorFencing
Concrete for Fence Posts Calculator Fence Calculator Fence Cost Calculator Fence Picket Calculator Fence Post Calculator Fence Post Depth CalculatorFinishing & Materials
Crown Molding Calculator Lumber Cost Calculator Miter Angle Calculator Wood Movement Calculator Wood Stain Coverage Calculator Wood Weight Calculator Wood Species Hardness (Janka Scale)No calculators match your search.
How LumberCalcs works
Lumber has its own arithmetic: nominal and actual sizes, board feet, sheet counts, post spacing and rafter lengths. LumberCalcs does the arithmetic and explains the method, so you can see how each answer was reached. Each tool says where a figure is an estimate, and your local building code and your lumber's grade stamp always have the last word.
Where to start
- Ordering lumber: check Nominal vs. Actual Lumber Sizes and the Board Foot Calculator.
- Building a fence: use the Fence Calculator and the Fence Post Depth Calculator, and call 811 before you dig.
- Planning a deck: take the Deck Board Material Finder and use the Deck Board Calculator.
- Choosing a sheet material: try the Plywood Type Finder.
Read more about the site, how we calculate and our disclaimer and safety notes. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.