Railing Calculator — m, balusters, posts, cost
How to use this calculator
Enter total railing length in meters, choose height (900 mm standard or 1050 mm for elevated areas), select baluster size and spacing, and configure post spacing. The calculator counts balusters, posts, rail lengths, and hardware.
EN 1991-1-1 — maximum 100 mm gap between balusters. Minimum 900 mm guard height for residential, 1100 mm for public areas.
Post spacing — typically 1.8–2.4 m on center.
Saved Calculations
| Time | Length | Height | Posts | Balusters | Cost |
|---|
How to Calculate Railing Materials (Metric)
This railing calculator estimates posts, balusters, top and bottom rails, post caps, and hardware for deck, balcony, and stair railings. It complies with EN 1991-1-1 which requires a maximum 100 mm gap between balusters and minimum 900 mm guard height for residential buildings.
Formulas Used
Posts: ⌈total length / post spacing⌉ + 1 (+ corner posts for L-layouts)
Balusters per section: ⌈section length / (baluster width + gap)⌉, adjusted for post width
Rail length: total railing length + 10% waste, divided into standard lengths
Actual gap: (section length − n × baluster width) / (n + 1)
Building Code Reference
EN 1991-1-1: Guards required where fall height exceeds 600 mm. Minimum 900 mm height for residential, 1100 mm for public. Maximum 100 mm gap. Horizontal load resistance 0.5–1.0 kN/m.
FAQ
What is the maximum baluster spacing? Per EN 1991-1-1, a 100 mm sphere must not pass through. Using 95 mm provides a safe margin.
How far apart should posts be? 1.5–2.4 m on center. Closer spacing increases structural strength. Posts must resist horizontal loads per Eurocode.
