2×8 Load Capacity Calculator

Span Length (feet): Lumber Type: Load Type:

Here is a table for the load capacity of a 2×8 wood beam based on different factors like wood species, grade, span, and load type.

Span (ft)	Live Load (lbs/ft)	Dead Load (lbs/ft)	Total Load (lbs/ft)	Deflection Limit (L/360)	Species & Grade
4	1840	460	2300	Pass	Douglas Fir-Larch #2
6	1226	306	1532	Pass	Southern Pine #2
8	920	230	1150	Pass	Hem-Fir #2
10	736	184	920	Pass	Spruce-Pine-Fir #2
12	613	153	766	Pass	Redwood #2
14	525	131	656	Pass	Cedar #2
16	460	115	575	Pass	Douglas Fir-Larch #2

Standard #2 grade lumber used.
Uniform live load (people, furniture) and dead load (building materials).
L/360 deflection limit for standard residential applications.
Single beam, not doubled or tripled.
Load sharing not considered (e.g., no joists distributing weight).
Values derived from common lumber span tables.