Baluster Calculator

Count balusters for a railing.

Balusters needed 6

Formula: balusters = rail length × 12 ÷ (width + gap)

Step-by-step with your numbers:
1. Values used:
2. Rail length = 1
3. Baluster width = 1
4. Gap between = 1
5.
6. Balusters needed = 6
Did we solve your problem today?

Count the balusters (spindles) for a railing.

The math behind it

balusters = rail length (in) ÷ (baluster width + gap). Keep gaps under 4 in for safety codes.

Worked example

16 ft rail, 1.5 in balusters, 3.5 in gap → 39.

FAQ

Code gap?

Most codes require gaps a 4 in sphere can't pass through.