Roof Truss Calculator

Calculate the number of roof trusses and spacing requirements for structural roofing.

Formula & Explanation

Roof trusses are pre-fabricated structural units that replace individual rafters. Calculate quantities based on spacing: Truss Count = ceil(Building Length ÷ (Truss Spacing ÷ 12)) + 1 Truss Span Distance = Building Width Linear Feet Per Truss ≈ Span × 3 (includes rafters, tie beam, and web members) Trusses are spaced along the building length (typically 16", 24", or 32" on center). Each truss spans the building width. Example: 40 ft wide × 60 ft long building, 24" spacing - Spacing in feet = 24 ÷ 12 = 2 ft - Truss count = ceil(60 ÷ 2) + 1 = 31 trusses - Each truss spans 40 feet - Lumber per truss ≈ 40 × 3 = 120 linear feet This is a preliminary estimate. Actual truss design requires engineering and may vary by load, pitch, and building code.

Assumptions

  • Trusses are installed on-center spacing along building length
  • Each truss spans the full building width (no additional support)
  • Spacing (16", 24", 32") is typical residential; verify by building code and load requirements
  • Linear footage estimate (3x span) is rough; actual truss design may differ significantly
  • Trusses must be engineered and installed per manufacturer specifications
  • This calculation is for preliminary planning; professional truss design is required

Example Calculation

A 40×60 ft building with 24" truss spacing requires 31 trusses, each spanning 40 feet.

Inputs

buildingWidth:40
buildingLength:60
trussSpacing:24

Results

trussCount:31
trussesPerSide:31
linearFootBetweenTrusses:120.00
trussSpanDistance:40.00

Truss Spacing by Load and Span

spacingspanapplication
16" on centerUp to 32 ftHeavy loads, steep pitch
24" on centerUp to 40 ftStandard residential
32" on centerUp to 50 ftLight loads only

Frequently Asked Questions

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