Pergola Footing Load Calculator
Undersized footings are a common cause of pergola posts settling or leaning over time. This calculator estimates the total downward load your pergola structure creates — including dead weight, live/snow load, and wind considerations — and divides it across your posts to estimate load per footing.
About this calculator
Estimate the load each post footing must support for a pergola based on size, roof/lattice weight, snow load, and number of posts, to help size concrete footings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What footing size do I need for this load?
A general rule of thumb is that a 12-inch diameter concrete footing can support roughly 1,500-2,000 lbs in typical soil, but you should consult local building code or a structural engineer for exact sizing, especially for snow-heavy regions.
Does this account for wind uplift?
No, this calculator estimates downward compressive load only. Wind uplift on open pergolas is usually less critical than on solid-roof structures, but should be evaluated separately in high-wind areas.
Why does post count matter so much?
Adding more support posts spreads the total structure weight across more footings, reducing the load each individual footing must bear — often allowing smaller footing sizes.