Wood Pole Dimension Estimation Calculator
LED Lighting Supply’s Wood Pole Dimension Calculator determines the required circumference of wood light or utility poles based on the species, class, and length according to ANSI National Standards (ANSI). The ANSI National Standards defines the minimum top circumference of a wood light or utility pole and the minimum circumference at 6 feet from butt.
Installation of a wood light or utility pole with the proper dimensions is vital to ensure its structural integrity and adherence to regulations. This tool helps utility contractors ensure the durability and reliability of wood light or utility poles by determining the correct calculations for dimensions.
Species
Class and Minimum Top Circumference (inch)
Length (feet)
Minimum Circumference at 6 feet from butt (inch):
How to Use LED Lighting Supply's Wood Pole Dimension Calculator
Determine the light or utility pole's wood species. Choose your preferred tree species from these options:
- Douglas Fir: unique due to their strength and durability
- Western Red Cedar: known for lightweight nature and natural resistance to decay or insects
- Southern Yellow Pine: both high-strength and cost-effective
Other Pine: Ponderosa Pine, are more lightweight and have excellent treatability
Determine the wood light or utility pole's class and minimum top circumference. Wood poles have different class categorizations based on their load-bearing capacity. These classes define the pole’s suitability for different types of commercial, industrial, or sports projects. Choosing the right wood pole class ensures it's engineered to meet structural integrity requirements in various environments.
How do I find the minimum top circumference? The minimum top circumference is determined by ANSI O5.1 standards and corresponds to the pole class. The higher the class, the higher the minimum top circumference.
Determine the wood pole's length in feet.
How to determine the length of the pole? Many factors, such as use case, vertical clearance requirements, burial depth, attachments, span, and terrain, affect the optimal pole length.
Need further assistance? Our Product Experts can provide live help to assist with determining the proper pole length for your project while meeting project requirements.
Once all inputs are entered into the calculator, the minimum circumference at 6 feet from butt will automatically be calculated. The resulting minimum circumference adheres to the ANSI O5.1 guidelines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Pole Dimension Important?
In our experience working with utility contractors, construction workers, and other wood pole project partners, getting the dimensions right isn’t just about meeting specs; it’s about ensuring the pole will perform safely and reliably once it’s installed.
We’ve helped customers across utility, commercial, and sports industries specify and purchase the proper wood pole solution.. By entering the pole’s species, class, and length into our calculator, you get instant, done-for-you ANSI-aligned dimension estimates to verify if the pole is engineered for your application.
What are ANSI National Standards?
We’ve built this calculator based on ANSI O5.1 regulations, which defines the minimum size and taper requirements for wood utility poles. Our Product Specialists refer to these standards when making pole recommendations for customer projects.
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) sets the benchmark for utility pole sizing, strength, and construction practices across the U.S. ANSI compliance is essential, not just for safety, but for meeting regulatory requirements. This is especially important when working with municipalities, utilities, or public infrastructure. Our calculator is engineered to reflect these national guidelines so you can be confident that your specified pole will meet or exceed the structural expectations outlined by ANSI.
How is the Pole Class Defined? Why Does it Matter?
Pole class refers to its load-bearing capacity. For example, a Class 1 pole is much thicker and stronger than a Class 5. That matters when you're dealing with wind loads, heavy fixtures, or site-specific stressors like snow or coastal storms. Our team of Product Specialists often walk customers through choosing the right class for their site. Regardless of what type of project you're working on, we’ll help you select the right class to ensure your pole has the structural integrity to support everything above and below ground.
What Does “6 Feet From the Butt” Mean?
This phrase refers to the measurement point 6 feet up from the base of the pole. This is essentially the section of the pole that gets buried during installation. ANSI standards specify a minimum circumference at that depth to make sure the pole can handle ground-level stress and soil interaction.
Can I Use This Tool to Verify Whether a Pole I’m About to Install Meets Project Specs?
Absolutely, and many of our customers do just that. Whether you're confirming a pole before it goes in the ground or reviewing an inventory batch, our tool gives you a fast way to validate if the dimensions line up with ANSI requirements. We often see contractors use this in the field as a quick sizing reference before moving forward with installation.
Can You Provide a Specification Sheet or Cut Sheet Based on the Calculator’s Output?
We'd love to! Once you’ve entered your parameters, just reach out to one of our Product Specialists and we’ll provide spec-sheets for our products that best fit your needs. We’ve done this many times for different contractors bidding municipal work and utility partners requesting documentation.
