Deck Post Size

There are two approaches to designing a deck and selecting the right size components such as correctly sized deck posts.
Deck post size. Final selection choose sawn wood 4x4 and we see this member makes it by 77 4 way okay even for pressure treated. The species of lumber size of lumber and the load it carries. Fewer posts on upper level decks are typically more desirable to the occupants and this drives the use of larger framing materials for longer spans. Use added batter boards and string to mark rows of posts.
A short 4x4 can carry an awfully big load and many deck builders use 6x6 posts as a standard regardless of the height or load of the deck. The span of a beam is dependent on a few variables. Contributing editor and former deck builder glenn mathewson is a building inspector in westminster colo. Circular footings on the other hand need to be 23 inches in diameter.
A new table in the 2018 version of the irc table r507 3 specifies footing size as it related to soil composition and live load. Post spacing should be even. In conclusion 4x4s are indeed a sufficient size post to use for many many deck loading conditions. For most decks post size is overlooked unless an inspector notices the unusual height of a particular deck.
Now that you know the correct post size for this deck it s time to calculate the size of the concrete footings that the piers and deck post will rest on. Post spacing is going to depend on your design local building codes the size and length of your beams and the size of your posts. That means that once you have the footings in place you need to install posts which will support the beams that in turn support the joists that support the decking and eventually you your family and friends. Deck post size is important.
R507 4 deck posts deck post size maximum height ft in 4 x 4 6 9 4 x 6 8 6 x 6 14 8 x 8 14 note. So build your deck the right way from the ground and posts up. The footing sizes also depend on the load bearing capacity of the soil and the live load the deck must support. Typical post size is a pressure treated 4 4.
But if there is any doubt the additional cost to use 6x6s instead is small compared with the total cost of a deck.