Rex says
Everyday utility math — the kind you'd otherwise pull up four browser tabs for. I keep it to one clean answer.
Try a scenario
Click to load — tweak from there.Inputs
Result
Estimated material cost
$1,848
Joists required
11
Decking linear feet
336
Framing linear feet
186
Footings
6
Deck area (sq ft)
140
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One click, a permanent link with your numbers baked in.
How to use this
- 1Enter deck length (ft).
- 2Enter deck width (ft).
- 3Enter joist spacing.
- 4Enter decking board width (in).
- 5Enter decking price per linear ft ($).
- 6Enter framing lumber price per linear ft ($).
- 7Enter cost per footing ($).
- 8Enter waste factor (%).
- 9Read your estimated material cost on the right — it updates as you type.
- 10Hit Share to keep the scenario or send it to someone.
About this calculator
A 10 by 14 foot deck is a comfortable dining-and-grill platform at 140 square feet, and its material list is entirely determined by three numbers: joist spacing, board width, and the direction you run the decking. This calculator counts joists at 12 or 16 inch centers, computes linear feet of decking with a waste allowance for cuts, sizes the beam and footing count, and prices the whole thing at your material rate — pressure-treated pine, cedar, or composite. Composite roughly doubles the deck-board line but eliminates staining, which is the trade most homeowners are actually deciding between.
Worked example
Using the values the calculator loads with:
Inputs
- Deck length: 14 ft
- Deck width: 10 ft
- Joist spacing: 16 inch on center — standard
- Decking board width: 5.5 in
- Decking price per linear ft: 2.6 $
- Framing lumber price per linear ft: 2.1 $
- Cost per footing: 60 $
- Waste factor: 10 %
Results
- Estimated material cost: $1,848
- Joists required: 11
- Decking linear feet: 336
- Framing linear feet: 186
- Footings: 6
- Deck area (sq ft): 140
What each field means
Inputs
- Deck length (ft)
- The deck length used in the calculation, measured in ft. Starts at 14 ft so you have a working example on load. Accepted range: 4–40 ft.
- Deck width (ft)
- The deck width used in the calculation, measured in ft. Starts at 10 ft so you have a working example on load. Accepted range: 4–30 ft.
- Joist spacing
- Pick the option that matches your situation — the maths changes per option. Choices: 12 inch on center — composite / diagonal, 16 inch on center — standard, 24 inch on center — 2x6 decking only.
- Decking board width (in)
- The decking board width used in the calculation, measured in in. Starts at 5.5 in so you have a working example on load. Accepted range: 3.5–8 in.
- Decking price per linear ft ($)
- The decking price per linear ft used in the calculation, measured in $. Starts at 2.6 $ so you have a working example on load. Accepted range: 0.5–12 $.
- Framing lumber price per linear ft ($)
- The framing lumber price per linear ft used in the calculation, measured in $. Starts at 2.1 $ so you have a working example on load. Accepted range: 0.5–8 $.
- Cost per footing ($)
- The cost per footing used in the calculation, measured in $. Starts at 60 $ so you have a working example on load. Accepted range: 0–400 $.
- Waste factor (%)
- The waste factor used in the calculation, measured in %. Starts at 10 % so you have a working example on load. Accepted range: 0–25 %.
Results
- Estimated material cost
- Returned as a money amount in US dollars and shown as the headline result. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
- Joists required
- Returned as a whole number. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
- Decking linear feet
- Returned as a whole number. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
- Framing linear feet
- Returned as a whole number. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
- Footings
- Returned as a whole number. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
- Deck area (sq ft)
- Returned as a whole number. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
FAQ
How many joists does a 10x14 deck need?
Running joists across the 10-foot span at 16 inch centers, you need about 11 joists plus rim boards. Composite decking usually calls for 12 inch centers, which pushes it to 15.
Do I need a permit for a 10x14 deck?
Most jurisdictions require a permit for any deck attached to the house or more than about 30 inches above grade. Freestanding low platforms are sometimes exempt — check locally before building.
Composite or pressure-treated?
Composite costs roughly two to three times more up front for boards but skips annual staining. Over a 20-year horizon the totals converge; the real decision is whether you want the maintenance.
Accuracy and limitations
- Estimates assume standard, average conditions — local rules, pricing, and materials vary.
- Results are rounded for readability; add a buffer before ordering, booking, or committing.
- Double-check anything with a real cost attached against a local quote.
Related tools
Cite this calculator
Writing about this topic? Grab a citation — every link helps keep these tools free.
RevenueLab. (2026). 10x14 Deck Material Calculator. Retrieved from https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/10x14-deck-material-calculator
<p>Source: <a href="https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/10x14-deck-material-calculator" target="_blank" rel="noopener">10x14 Deck Material Calculator — RevenueLab</a> (2026).</p>
Source: [10x14 Deck Material Calculator — RevenueLab](https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/10x14-deck-material-calculator) (2026).