Landscape Timber Calculator
Estimate full landscape timbers and anchoring spikes for equal border or low-wall runs using stock length, courses, run count, waste and joint assumptions.
Default project preview
22 timbers
Pieces per course and run
5
Base timber quantity
20
Butt joints
16
Estimated anchors
48
Calculator
Build the material order
Your order will appear here
Enter the project details and calculate a rounded material estimate.
Input and output guide
What each value means
The labels and units below are part of this calculator’s visible methodology. Replace every default with measurements or product data from the actual project.
Length of each timber run
Enter this project assumption in ft. The current imperial default is 36 ft.
Equal border or wall runs
Enter this project assumption in a unitless value. The current imperial default is 2. Minimum: 1.
Stacked timber courses
Enter this project assumption in a unitless value. The current imperial default is 2. Minimum: 1.
Timber stock length
Enter this project assumption in ft. The current imperial default is 8 ft.
Cuts and spare allowance
Enter this project assumption in %. The current imperial default is 10 %. Minimum: 0. Maximum: 50.
Spikes or screws per butt joint
Enter this project assumption in a unitless value. The current imperial default is 2. Minimum: 0.
Extra anchors at ends and corners
Enter this project assumption in a unitless value. The current imperial default is 16. Minimum: 0.
Anchors per pack
Enter this project assumption in a unitless value. The current imperial default is 25.
Price per timber
Enter this project assumption in a unitless value. The current imperial default is 14. Minimum: 0.
Price per anchor pack
Enter this project assumption in a unitless value. The current imperial default is 24. Minimum: 0.
How to read the outputs
Pieces per course and run
36 ft ÷ 8 ft. Default preview: 5.
Base timber quantity
before cuts and spares. Default preview: 20.
Butt joints
between stock lengths. Default preview: 16.
Estimated anchors
joint anchors plus entered extras. Default preview: 48.
Anchor packs
25 anchors per pack. Default preview: 2.
Material cost
timbers and anchor packs. Default preview: $356.00.
Methodology
Transparent calculation
BuildMeter converts every input to a consistent internal unit, applies the selected allowance, and rounds products up to whole purchasable units.
Timbers per course and run = round up (run length ÷ stock length). Multiply by run count and courses, add waste, and round to full timbers. Butt joints determine the modeled anchor count.
Reviewed project guidance
How to use this estimate in a real project
Last reviewed: August 19, 2026
Estimate landscape timber pieces from total run length, number of courses and available timber stock length.
Calculation steps
- 1Measure each timber run.
- 2Multiply by the number of stacked courses where applicable.
- 3Sum required linear footage by timber size.
- 4Divide by actual stock length and round up after checking corner and splice locations.
Worked numerical example
A 48 ft edging run built two courses high needs 96 linear ft of timber. Using 8 ft timbers requires 12 full pieces before corner cuts or layout-specific waste.
Purchasing and rounding
Choose timber length, treatment and section appropriate to the intended landscape use. Plan joints and corners before ordering so reusable offcuts are credited realistically rather than assuming all cut waste can be recovered.
Interpret the result
The result is timber stock for the measured runs and courses. It does not include stakes, rebar pins, deadmen or structural retaining-wall design requirements.
Page-specific assumptions
- All calculated runs use the same timber size and stock length.
- Course count is constant within each measured section.
- Structural retaining walls are outside the calculator's scope unless separately designed.
Common mistakes
- Using wall face area instead of linear run × courses.
- Forgetting stacked courses.
- Ignoring corner overlap or splice layout.
- Treating landscaping timbers as engineered retaining-wall design.
Primary and technical references
BuildMeter provides planning estimates, not engineering, architectural, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, permit or code approval. Review the methodology and verify final decisions with product documentation and qualified professionals.
BuildMeter Guides
Understand the measurements and assumptions
Use these visible reference guides before changing project inputs or planning allowances.
FAQ
Landscape Timber Calculator questions
Can offcuts be shared between runs?+
This calculator rounds each equal run and course independently, which is conservative when offcuts cannot be reused efficiently.
Are corner overlaps included?+
Use the waste and extra-anchor fields for simple corner details. Complex interlocking corners should be measured separately.
Can landscape timbers be used for any retaining wall?+
No. Wall height, drainage, soil loads, durability and local requirements determine whether the system is appropriate.