Plan stairs, decks, railings and fences, and work out what they’ll cost, before you buy. Each calculator turns your measurements into steps, boards, posts, balusters or gallons, with a worked example on every page.
Stairs and decks
- Stair calculator: number of steps, riser height, tread depth, total run and stringer length, with code checks.
- Deck calculator: deck boards, joists, rim and ledger, and screws for any size deck.
- Baluster spacing calculator: balusters per section and the exact gap, kept under 4 inches.
- Deck cost calculator: deck, railings, stairs, labor and permits in one breakdown.
Fences
- Fence calculator: posts, rails and pickets for wood fences, or posts, top rail and fabric for chain link.
- Fence cost calculator: materials, labor, gates and removal, with the cost per foot.
- Deck & fence stain calculator: gallons of stain or paint for a deck, railings or fence.
Which calculator should I use?
| Your project | Calculator |
|---|---|
| Stairs inside the house, or steps down from a deck | Stair |
| Decking, joists and screws for a new deck | Deck |
| Railing balusters or spindles | Baluster spacing |
| A new wood or chain link fence | Fence |
| Comparing quotes | Deck cost or fence cost |
| Staining or painting | Deck & fence stain |
| Concrete for deck or fence posts | Concrete footing |
Before you build
- Decks, stairs, railings and many fences need a permit. Check with your building department and any HOA first.
- In the US, call 811 before you dig post holes.
- Joist, beam and post sizes come from span tables in your local code or from your plans. These calculators count pieces; they don’t size them.
- See How We Calculate for the formulas we use.
Decks, Stairs & Fences guides
Decks, Stairs & FencesHow Tall Can a Fence Be? Standard Fence Heights and RulesThe standard fence height for a home is 6 feet in back and side yards and 3 to…Read the guide →8 min read
Decks, Stairs & FencesDeck Joist Spacing and Deck Board GapsMost decks use joists spaced 16 inches on center. That is the common limit for standard 5/4 wood…Read the guide →8 min read
Decks, Stairs & FencesHow Far Apart Should Fence Posts Be? Spacing and Depth by Fence TypeMost wood fence posts should be 6 to 8 feet apart, measured center to center, with 8 feet…Read the guide →8 min read
Decks, Stairs & FencesStandard Stair Dimensions: Rise, Run and Code LimitsIn most of the US, home stairs follow the International Residential Code (IRC): risers no taller than 7¾…Read the guide →9 min read