Decking, Fencing & Timber calculator
Spindle Spacing Calculator
Calculate spindle count and equal clear spacing from opening length, spindle width and maximum permitted gap.
Calculate spindle count and equal clear spacing from opening length, spindle width and maximum permitted gap. Use finished project dimensions and product-specific data where available rather than generic defaults. The most sensitive assumption here is spindle width and clear gap. Equal spacing needs the spindle width as well as the desired clear gap. Check any maximum-opening rule that applies to the guard or stair.
What you need to enter
The Spindle Spacing Calculator uses the following project information to calculate the result.
- Clear opening length
- Baluster / spindle width
- Maximum clear gap
Calculator result
Minimum item count and equal clear gap
How the Spindle Spacing Calculator works
For equal spindle spacing across a fixed opening, the calculator uses find minimum whole item count such that (opening - count×itemWidth)/(count+1) ≤ maxGap. The mathematics is only one part of the estimate: getting spindle width and clear gap right usually matters more to the real-world result than extra decimal places. Unit conversion happens before the calculation.
Spindle Spacing Calculator worked example
Spindle Spacing Calculator example: enter the clear stair or guard opening, spindle width and permitted maximum gap. The tool increases the whole spindle count until the recalculated equal clear spaces meet the limit. Use the numerical result as the starting point, then verify spindle width and clear gap against the material, layout or equipment actually being used.
Important calculation assumptions
For equal spindle spacing across a fixed opening, equal spacing needs the spindle width as well as the desired clear gap. Check any maximum-opening rule that applies to the guard or stair.
Frequently asked questions
What should I check on site before using the Spindle Spacing Calculator?
Measure the clear opening between fixed posts, enter the actual baluster/spindle width and the maximum clear gap you want or are required to meet. Those entries form the basis for estimating equal spindle spacing across a fixed opening.
When should I pay extra attention to spindle width and clear gap in the Spindle Spacing Calculator?
Equal spacing needs the spindle width as well as the desired clear gap. Check any maximum-opening rule that applies to the guard or stair. For the Spindle Spacing Calculator, that is the main reason to verify spindle width and clear gap.
Can the Spindle Spacing Calculator replace a structural or code check?
Use the Spindle Spacing Calculator to set an equal clear gap across the exact opening after spindle width is included. Recheck the maximum permitted opening and the end gaps before drilling or fixing anything.