Nail Calculator
Work out how many nails you need for siding, decking or other building projects, based on area and consumption per square meter.
How to use the nail calculator
- Enter the area to be nailed — for example a siding surface or decking.
- Enter how many nails are needed per square meter for your project.
- Enter a waste percentage to account for misses and bent nails.
How nail consumption is calculated
The calculator multiplies the area by the nail consumption per square meter, and adds waste:
Consumption per square meter varies a lot with the type of project — siding typically needs fewer nails per m² than tight nailing of deck boards. Check the recommendation for your material, or count the number of fixing points per board/plank and multiply by the number of boards.
Frequently asked questions
Should I use nails or screws for deck boards?
Screws give better durability and are easier to remove for repairs, but are more expensive and take longer to install. Nails are faster, but can loosen over time with temperature swings.
Which type of nail should I use outdoors?
Always use stainless or hot-dip galvanized nails outdoors, since ordinary nails rust quickly and can leave unsightly rust stains on the wood.