About LumberCalcs

Who runs this site

LumberCalcs is run by Chris Jensen, an independent individual based in Florida. It is not a company. I started it because information people were looking for was missing or hard to find, and I wanted the numbers in simple tools that show their method. Where the site says “we”, that is me. You can reach me at rusticreckoner@gmail.com or through the contact page.

Why this site exists

Buying and using lumber involves numbers that trip people up: a 2x4 is not 2 by 4 inches, lumber is sold by the board foot or the piece, plywood by the sheet, fence posts by spacing and depth, and a deck or a fence needs quantities worked out before a single board is bought. The answers are scattered across lumberyard charts and span tables, and a small slip means a second trip or a structural problem. LumberCalcs puts the working in one place and says plainly where a result is an estimate.

What you will find here

• Framing & Structural: nominal and actual sizes, board feet, studs, plywood, joist spans, headers, rafters, grades and fasteners.
• Fencing: posts, pickets, post depth, concrete and cost.
• Decking, Stairs & Rails: deck boards, stair stringers and baluster spacing.
• Finishing & Materials: crown molding, miter angles, wood movement, hardness, stain coverage, weight and cost.
• Converters: centimeters and millimeters to inches.
• Finders: four short quizzes for deck boards, fence styles, plywood and wood species.

Where the numbers come from

Each calculator explains its method on the page. Most are geometry and unit arithmetic, such as board feet from thickness, width and length, rafter length from rise and run, or post quantities from spacing. The structural tools, such as joist spans and header loads, are simplified estimates. The how we calculate page explains our approach and its limits. Lumber is sold in many grades and species, and the grade stamp and your local building code govern what you may use.

What this site does not do

• It is not engineering, and it does not replace the building code, a permit, an inspector or a licensed engineer. Read our disclaimer and safety notes.
• It does not know your lumber's actual grade, species or moisture, or your local code requirements.
• It does not sell products or services, and it does not take payment to favor a brand.
• It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by any manufacturer, retailer or organization named on it. Names appear only to identify products and standards.

Corrections

Standards, prices and rules change, and people who use the tools often spot a mistake before we do. If a result looks wrong or a page is out of date, use the Report an Issue form and name the calculator. If you want a tool that is not here, suggest it.

Part of the Calcs family

LumberCalcs shares its layout and standards with a group of free reference and calculator sites. You can see the others on the Meet the Calcs Family page.