Scaffolding Calculator
Calculate scaffolding frames, planks, and braces needed for your project.
Enter building height and length to get a complete materials list.
Scaffolding quantity calculation ensures you rent or purchase enough scaffold frames, planks, braces, and base plates to safely cover the work area at the required height.
The Core Formula:
Number of bays = Wall length / Bay width (typically 1.8 m or 2.4 m)
Number of lifts = Ceiling height / Lift height (typically 1.5 m or 2.0 m per lift)
Total frames = Bays × (Lifts + 1)
Total planks = Bays × Planks per bay (typically 3–4 planks per 1.8 m bay)
Standard Scaffold Components Per Bay (1.8 m wide frame):
| Component | Quantity per Bay |
|---|---|
| End frames | 2 |
| Cross braces | 2 |
| Planks (1.8 m) | 3 |
| Base plates | 2 |
| Coupling pins | 4 |
Worked Example:
Building facade: 12 m wide, 6 m high. Frame bay = 1.8 m, lift = 2.0 m.
- Bays: 12 / 1.8 = 7 bays (round up)
- Lifts: 6 / 2.0 = 3 lifts
- Frames: 7 × (3 + 1) = 28 frames
- Cross braces: 7 × 3 × 2 = 42 braces
- Planks: 7 × 3 × 3 = 63 planks
- Base plates: 28 × 2 = 56 base plates (one under each frame leg)
Safety Load Ratings:
| Scaffold Class | Max Load |
|---|---|
| Light duty | 1.2 kN/m² (~120 kg/m²) |
| Medium duty | 2.4 kN/m² (~240 kg/m²) |
| Heavy duty | 3.6 kN/m² (~360 kg/m²) |
Practical Tips:
- Always install guard rails above 2 m height — required by OSHA and equivalent codes worldwide
- Scaffold must be plumb within 1:100 vertical tolerance — use a spirit level when erecting
- Tie scaffold to the building every 4 m vertically and 6 m horizontally
- Never move scaffold with workers on it
How we build and check this calculator
This calculator runs entirely in your browser, so the numbers you enter stay on your device. The math behind it is written by hand and tested against worked examples and standard references before the page goes live.
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