How to Calculate Lumber Floor Joist

Building a home, or just an addition, is an expensive undertaking, so it's important to prevent wasteful spending. Determining the amount of materials you need for construction can reduce waste, allowing you to save money or use that money for other purposes. One part of this process is calculating how much lumber you need for floor joists.

Tape measure
Calculator

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the length and width of the room in inches.
- 2
  Calculate the number of joists you need by dividing the length of the room by 16. You use 16 because the floor joists will be placed no more than 16 inches apart.
- 3
  Measure the distance between each floor joist. While the standard distance is 16 inches, the gaps may be smaller. Add these measurements together to determine the amount of lumber you need for the blocking. The blocking consists of small strips of wood nailed between the floor joists to strengthen the structure.

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