Boards for a 10 × 10 ft deck, by board length
A 10 × 10 ft deck is the classic starter deck: a table with four chairs, or a couple of loungers. With 5½ in boards and 1/8 in gaps the deck has 22 rows, which is 220 ft of decking before waste. These counts include 10% waste:
| Board length | Boards to buy | Total length bought |
|---|---|---|
| 8 ft boards | 31 | 248 ft |
| 10 ft boards | 25 | 250 ft |
| 12 ft boards | 21 | 252 ft |
| 16 ft boards | 16 | 256 ft |
| 20 ft boards | 13 | 260 ft |
Waste and layout
| Layout | Waste | 12 ft boards | 16 ft boards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight, careful installer | 5% | 20 | 15 |
| Straight (typical) | 10% | 21 | 16 |
| Diagonal or picture-frame border | 15% | 22 | 16 |
Joists and screws
Joists run the 10 ft width and are spaced along the 10 ft length.
| Joist spacing | Joists | Screws |
|---|---|---|
| 12 in on center | 11 | 484 |
| 16 in on center | 9 | 396 |
| 24 in on center | 6 | 264 |
That is just the decking surface, for a 100 ft² deck. Posts, beams, footings, ledger, railings and stairs are extra, and a permit is usually required.
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Tools & materials for this project
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Frequently asked questions
How many deck boards for a 10x10 deck?
With 5½ in boards, 1/8 in gaps and 10% waste, you need 21 boards of 12 ft, or 16 boards of 16 ft. That is 22 rows of decking across the 10 ft width.
How many joists does a 10x10 deck need?
At 16 in on center, 9 joists running the 10 ft width. At 12 in it is 11, and at 24 in 6. Joist size and span must follow your local building code.
How many screws for a 10x10 deck?
About 396 screws: two at every joist for each board. Buy a few extra, since they strip and get dropped.
Related sizes and guides
Estimates only. Results assume standard materials and simple shapes. Supplier products vary, and the final call on quantity, structure and safety is yours. Check your local code and your supplier's guidance before ordering.