40 psf live · 10 psf dead · L/360 · No. 2
Deck Joist Spans & Overhangs
Maximum deck joist span and allowable cantilever (overhang) beyond the beam, for wet-service No. 2-grade lumber.
New to the deck tables? How far can a deck joist span? explains why these values are shorter than the indoor floor table and what the overhang column buys you.
Source: DCA6 - Prescriptive Residential Wood Deck Construction Guide, 2012 - Table 2 (deck joists) and Table 3A (deck beams). Published by American Wood Council.
Edition: These values are transcribed from the 2012 edition of DCA6. The AWC has since published newer editions, and adopted requirements vary by jurisdiction - confirm against the edition your local building department uses before relying on a span.
Southern Pine
| Spacing | 2x6 span | 2x8 span | 2x10 span | 2x12 span | 2x6 overhang | 2x8 overhang | 2x10 overhang | 2x12 overhang |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12″ o.c. | 9′-11″ | 13′-1″ | 16′-2″ | 18′-0″ | 1′-0″ | 1′-10″ | 3′-1″ | 4′-6″ |
| 16″ o.c. | 9′-0″ | 11′-10″ | 14′-0″ | 16′-6″ | 1′-1″ | 2′-0″ | 3′-5″ | 4′-2″ |
| 24″ o.c. | 7′-7″ | 9′-8″ | 11′-5″ | 13′-6″ | 1′-3″ | 2′-4″ | 2′-10″ | 3′-4″ |
Douglas Fir-Larch, Hem-Fir, Spruce-Pine-Fir
Incising assumed for these refractory species.
| Spacing | 2x6 span | 2x8 span | 2x10 span | 2x12 span | 2x6 overhang | 2x8 overhang | 2x10 overhang | 2x12 overhang |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12″ o.c. | 9′-6″ | 12′-6″ | 15′-8″ | 18′-0″ | 0′-11″ | 1′-8″ | 2′-10″ | 4′-4″ |
| 16″ o.c. | 8′-4″ | 11′-1″ | 13′-7″ | 15′-9″ | 1′-0″ | 1′-10″ | 3′-2″ | 3′-11″ |
| 24″ o.c. | 6′-10″ | 9′-1″ | 11′-1″ | 12′-10″ | 1′-2″ | 2′-2″ | 2′-9″ | 3′-3″ |