Whole-project calculator
Pergola Material Calculator
Plan piers, posts, beams, rafters, optional shade slats, and hardware for an open residential pergola. Covered roofs stay out of scope and need separate design review.
2D plan
Pergola framing plan
3D assembly
Interactive 3D
Rotate the pergola, inspect footing, post, beam, rafter, and shade-slat layers, and treat the rendering as a schematic assembly model rather than an engineered connection detail.
Material theme
Starter patio pergola
Pressure-treated pergola framing with the mainstream backyard structure palette.
Plan details & review
More project facts 29
Planning assumptions
5Material quantities and planning BOM for Pergola Material Calculator based on selected inputs.
Planning assumptions · 5
- Estimator scope is limited to rectangular residential wood pergolas rather than engineered uplift design, covered-roof or patio-cover assemblies, or permit-ready attachment details.
- Beam and rafter sizing uses conservative planning bands from common residential pergola practice rather than species-, grade-, and load-specific engineering tables.
- Footing quantities model cylindrical concrete piers that extend below the local frost line and keep pergola posts on elevated standoff bases above the concrete.
- Structural hardware quantities are conservative planning allowances rather than a brand-specific connection schedule.
- Pressure-treated pergola members are modeled as ground-contact stock where needed, with hot-dipped galvanized, polymer-coated, or stainless-compatible hardware at treated-wood contact points.
Not included / Trade review
33 total scope notes to read before ordering or contractor handoff.
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Estimate boundaries
3- Covered roofs, patio-cover drainage, and engineered uplift design remain outside this open-pergola calculator.
- Repeated rafters and shade slats in the preview are drawn schematically for readability. They do not replace permit detailing.
- Confirm local code, manufacturer requirements, site conditions, and licensed trade scope before ordering.
How pricing works
Where each price comes from, when it was checked, and what the formulas assume.
- Source: Retailer price
- Region: Calculator default pricing
- Price as of: 10/16/2026 – 10/19/2026
- Calculator default pricing is being used because no supported pricing region was requested.
- Frost basis: Calculator default @ 36 in.
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Material list
Your build list
Each line shows a purchase quantity, a coverage amount, or a planning allowance - the line says which. Check pack sizes and your site conditions before you order.
| Material | Assembly | Unit | Qty | Unit price | Total | Store |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ground-contact pressure-treated 6x6 pergola posts
Note: Pressure-treated pergola posts are modeled as ground-contact stock on concrete piers with elevated standoff bases and corrosion-resistant hardware.6x6 | Stock 10 ft | Pressure TreatedActual 5.5 in thick x 5.5 in wide
|
posts and bracing | post |
6
|
$55.48 |
$332.88 | |
Quantity basis The visible row quantity is a purchase or ordering quantity.
|
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|
Pergola knee braces
Note: Linear-length estimate only; verify brace geometry and saw kerf before ordering. Offcuts from other materials are not reused.4x4 x 24 in brace | Stock 8 ft | Pressure TreatedActual 3.5 in thick x 3.5 in wide
|
posts and bracing | each |
3
covers 24 linear ft
|
$18.18Not editable: priced as a package | $54.54 | |
Quantity basis 24 linear ft needed → buy 3 pieces, 8 linear ft each.
|
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|
80 lb concrete bags
Note: Concrete piers are modeled as round concrete cylinders extending 42 in below grade plus a 6 in pedestal for the elevated post base.80 lb bag | Concrete | 80 lb bag
|
layout and footings | bag |
59
|
$5.98 |
$352.82 | |
Quantity basis The visible row quantity is a purchase or ordering quantity.
|
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|
Pergola post bases
Note: Use elevated standoff bases that keep the pergola post above the concrete pier.Fits 6x6 posts | Hdg Steel | Fits 6x6 posts
|
layout and footings | base |
6
|
$27.00 |
$162.00 | |
Quantity basis Sold individually: buy 6.
|
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|
Pergola anchor kits
Note: Use hot-dipped galvanized or stainless-compatible anchorage, and verify whether a moment-base upgrade is required by local loads.1/2 in anchor kit | Hdg Steel
|
layout and footings | each |
1
covers 6 kit
|
$29.98Not editable: priced as a package | $29.98 | |
Quantity basis 6 kits needed → buy 1 piece, 10 kits each.
|
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|
2-2x10 beam members
Note: Quantity counts individual beam members, not assembled beam lines.2-2x10 | Stock 16 ft | Pressure TreatedActual 1.5 in thick x 9.25 in wide
|
beams and attachment | board |
4
|
$41.78 |
$167.12 | |
Quantity basis The visible row quantity is a purchase or ordering quantity.
|
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|
Beam-to-post structural fasteners
Note: Notched bearing still uses structural bolts or screws to lock the beam package to the post.1/2 in structural fastener | Hdg Steel
|
beams and attachment | fastener |
12
|
$3.44 |
$41.28 | |
Quantity basis Sold individually: buy 12.
|
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|
2x6 pergola rafters
Note: Rafters run perpendicular to the beam lines in this calculator.2x6 | Stock 12 ft | Pressure TreatedActual 1.5 in thick x 5.5 in wide
|
rafters | board |
13
|
$11.68 |
$151.84 | |
Quantity basis The visible row quantity is a purchase or ordering quantity.
|
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|
1x4 shade slats
Note: Shade slats are modeled as optional members running parallel to the beams and perpendicular to the rafters.1x4 | Stock 16 ft | Pressure TreatedActual 0.75 in thick x 3.5 in wide
|
shade slats | board |
26
|
$9.78 |
$254.28 | |
Quantity basis The visible row quantity is a purchase or ordering quantity.
|
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|
Rafter-seat hurricane ties
Note: Rafter-seat connectors are required because structural connections cannot rely on ordinary deck screws.H1Z tie | Hdg Steel
|
hardware and fasteners | tie |
26
|
$1.47 |
$38.22 | |
Quantity basis Sold individually: buy 26.
|
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|
2.5 in exterior screw boxes
Note: Shade slat screws are non-structural top-member fasteners only.2.5 in exterior screw box | Coated Steel
|
hardware and fasteners | box |
2
|
$48.17 |
$96.34 | |
Quantity basis The visible row quantity is a purchase or ordering quantity.
|
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|
Exterior stain and sealer
Note: Planning coverage 175 sq ft per gallon, one coat (5 gal pail ≈ 875 sq ft); check the label of the product you buy.5 gal stain + sealer | Finish
|
finish and protection | pail |
1
|
$189.00 |
$189.00 | |
Quantity basis The visible row quantity is a purchase or ordering quantity.
|
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Prices checked on the date shown; local price and stock may vary. Some links in this calculator are affiliate links. BuildListCalc may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Estimated materials total$1,870.30
Project material guide
2026 U.S. Pergola Material Guide
Switch between tabs to compare nominal sizes, actual sizes, common uses, and planning rules for this project.
Pergola Post Sizes
For residential pergolas, 6x6 is the mainstream recommendation because it better resists twisting and handles freestanding wind exposure more conservatively than 4x4 posts. Pergola posts should sit on concrete piers with galvanized standoff bases, not be embedded in soil or concrete.
| Nominal size | Actual size | Common use | Planning rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4x4 | 3.5" x 3.5" | Small pergolas at or below 10 ft x 10 ft | Light-load path only; keep height at or below 8 ft and verify local exposure. |
| 6x6 | 5.5" x 5.5" | Default residential pergolas | Recommended for freestanding pergolas, larger spans, and higher wind or snow zones. |
Pergola Beam Sizes
Beam sizing in this calculator uses conservative clear-span bands and defaults to double beams for mainstream residential pergolas. Bearing seats or structural column caps remain the preferred load path over side-mounted double-beam details.
| Beam package | Actual member size | Planning span band | Planning rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2x8 / 2-2x8 | 1.5" x 7.25" members | 8 ft to 10 ft | Small pergolas only; widths over 10 ft should move to a double-beam package. |
| 2-2x10 | 1.5" x 9.25" members | 10 ft to 12 ft | Default medium pergola beam package. |
| 2-2x12 | 1.5" x 11.25" members | 12 ft to 14 ft | Large pergolas or longer post spacing. |
Pergola Rafter Sizes
Rafters run perpendicular to beams and use hurricane ties at each bearing point. This calculator limits rafter overhang to 12 in to 18 in, restricts 2x6 rafters to 16 in o.c. max, treats clear spans above about 10 ft as a `2x8` planning path, and pushes longer spans into guided redesign rather than pretending the open-pergola BOM still applies.
| Nominal size | Actual size | Spacing band | Common use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2x6 | 1.5" x 5.5" | 12 in to 16 in o.c. | Standard residential pergola rafters up to about a 10 ft clear span. |
| 2x8 | 1.5" x 7.25" | 16 in to 24 in o.c. | Longer spans up to about a 14 ft clear span and more conservative snow or wind paths. |
Shade Slats / Purlins
Shade slats remain optional in the calculator, but when enabled they run parallel to beams and perpendicular to rafters. Wider 1x4 and 2x4 slats deserve a sag review when rafter spacing exceeds 16 in o.c.
| Profile | Actual size | Typical gap | Common use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2x2 | 1.5" x 1.5" | 3 in to 4 in | Standard narrow pergola shade slats. |
| 1x4 | 0.75" x 3.5" | 2 in to 6 in | Wider decorative slats or lattice strips. |
| 2x4 | 1.5" x 3.5" | 2 in to 6 in | Heavier shade members. |
Footings and Stability
- 4x4 footing diameter: Use at least a 12 in cylindrical concrete pier.
- 6x6 footing diameter: Use at least a 16 in cylindrical concrete pier.
- Frost rule: Concrete piers should extend at least 6 in below the local frost line in this calculator.
- Standoff base rule: Keep pergola posts above the concrete on an elevated galvanized standoff base instead of burying the wood.
- Concrete rule: 80 lb bags are modeled at about 0.60 cu ft per bag.
Pergola Hardware
- Beam to post: Use 1/2 in hot-dipped galvanized carriage bolts or structural screws. Bearing seats or column caps remain preferred over side-mounted double beams.
- Rafter to beam: Use hurricane ties such as H1Z or equivalent exterior-rated rafter-seat connectors.
- Pressure-treated lumber: Use hot-dipped galvanized, polymer-coated, or stainless fasteners with modern PT wood.
- Attached pergolas: Fasten ledgers to the structural rim joist with 1/2 in structural fasteners and protect the line with Z-flashing. Never attach only to brick veneer, stucco, or siding.
Overall Planning Rules
- Post spacing: 8 ft to 12 ft is the standard planning band. Wider spans should trigger a bigger beam or extra posts.
- Height: 8 ft to 10 ft above grade is the mainstream residential range.
- Wood species: Western red cedar and redwood are common appearance-grade choices; pressure-treated wood should be ground-contact rated.
- Utility locating: Call 811 before digging for pergola piers.
- Covered roof boundary: Covered roofs, patio covers, and weatherproof roof panels are outside this open-pergola calculator and need separate design, drainage, attachment, and permit review.
- Scope boundary: This calculator is directional only and does not replace local permits, engineered attachment details, HOA setbacks, or wind / snow review.
All dimensions follow common U.S. nominal-versus-actual lumber conventions. Pergola posts in this calculator sit on concrete piers with elevated standoff bases rather than being buried, and attached ledgers assume structural-framing attachment plus Z-flashing. The Pergola Material Calculator models open pergolas only, so covered roofs, patio covers, roofing, drainage, and engineered connection upgrades stay outside this calculator and require separate design and permit review. This remains a planning BOM and does not replace local engineering or permit review.
How to calculate pergola materials
A pergola material list starts with the footprint and post height, then goes part by part: posts, beams, rafters, and shade slats.
- Posts and footings. Posts are placed along each beam line, and longer pergolas get more of them. Each post sits on a concrete pier with a post base, so the pier count equals the post count.
- Beams. Beams run the length of the pergola on each post line. Each beam size has a span limit in the calculator; when the distance between posts would pass it, the plan adds a post. Have the final beam size and connections checked locally.
- Rafters. Divide the pergola length by the rafter spacing and add the end rafters. Each rafter is as long as the pergola is wide: the width you enter already includes the overhang, so a longer overhang shortens the span between beams.
- Shade slats, hardware, and finish. When shade slats are turned on, they run across the rafters at the gap you set. Rafter ties, anchors, screws, and any stain you select are counted from the pieces above.
Example: 16 × 12 ft pergola material list
A freestanding 16 ft by 12 ft pergola with 9 ft posts, in the default plan, needs 6 6x6 posts on 6 concrete piers, 4 2x10 beam boards, 13 2x6 rafters at 16 in on center, 26 shade boards, and 59 bags of concrete. Other inputs stay at their defaults.
Pergola material questions
How many posts does a pergola need?
It depends on the length and the beam size. The calculator adds posts when the beam span gets long: its default 16 ft by 12 ft plan uses six.
How much does it cost to build a pergola?
Material cost depends on size, wood species, and the post and beam sizes. Enter your dimensions to get a priced material list. Permits and delivery are not included.
Does it cover a roofed pergola or patio cover?
No. The calculator plans open pergolas only. Covered roofs and patio covers carry roof loads and need separate structural design.
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6 posts, 13 rafters, and 59 concrete bags for a 16 ft x 12 ft freestanding pergola
Estimated materials total