Comparison

Span Calc vs ADHNC

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Span Calc

Calculate maximum horizontal spans for wood joists and rafters using various lumber species and grades. Compares multiple options for common loading conditions based on NDS® standards.

Highlights
  • Calculates joist and rafter spans
  • Supports all softwood and hardwood lumber
  • Uses 2021 NDS® for Wood Construction
  • Compares multiple species and grades
  • Handles common loading conditions
Features
Read full description

The American Wood Council (AWC) Span Calculator for Wood Joists and Rafters (Span Calc) performs calculations for all species and grades of commercially available softwood and hardwood lumber as found in the 2021 National Design Specification® (NDS®) for Wood Construction. Joists and rafter spans for common loading conditions can be determined. A span options calculator allows selection of multiple species and grades for comparison purposes. Supported by the Softwood Lumber Board. Maximum horizontal spans for joists and rafters are calculated based on the following assumptions and conditions: · Joists and rafters are oriented to support vertical loads applied to the narrow (1.5 in. thick) face of the member, resulting in strong-axis bending. · At least three joists or rafters are installed parallel to one another and spaced not more than 24 inches on-center, with properly designed sheathing attached on the top (compression) edge of each joist or rafter. · Joists and rafters are single-span with adequate structural support at each end. The Span Calculator does not address cantilevered joists and rafters, multiple-span joists and rafters, or spliced joists and rafters. · For joists and rafters, most building codes specify a minimum bearing length of 1.5 inches on wood or metal and not less than 3 inches on masonry or concrete. These minimum bearing lengths are to be used in the absence of calculated bearing lengths. Consult the local building code for specific requirements. · Joists and rafters carry only combinations of dead load plus live load (D + L), dead load plus snow load (D + S), or dead load plus roof live load (D + Lr). The Span Calculator does not address wind load or seismic load. · Buildings in regions with ground snow loads greater than 70 psf should not use the prescriptive provisions of the governing building code without approval of the authority having jurisdiction. Buildings in these high snow zones should be designed in accordance with accepted engineering practice. While every effort has been made to insure the accuracy of the information presented, and special effort has been made to assure that the information reflects the state-of-the-art, neither the American Wood Council nor its members assume any responsibility for any particular design prepared from this Span Calculator application. Those using this Span Calculator assume all liability from its use.

About

ADHNC

Features
Read full description

American Doors & Hardware App for Fire Door inspections, quotes and Job Stats.

Screenshots

Span Calc4 screens
ADHNC1 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Span Calc at 14.2 against ADHNC's 18.0.1. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Span Calc ships an update every 10 days, ADHNC every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on August 13, 2026 and September 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Span Calc versus ADHNC: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSpan CalcADHNC
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.9 (15 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews29.6% of reviews—
Number of ratings15 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 10 days — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS14.2 — better18.0.1
Further details — not scored
Size168 MB4 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperAmerican Wood CouncilRuben Mendoza

In-app purchases

None

Span Calc

No in-app purchases

None

ADHNC

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Span Calc free?
Span Calc is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is ADHNC free?
ADHNC is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Span Calc or ADHNC have ads?
Neither Span Calc nor ADHNC shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Span Calc or ADHNC?
Span Calc ships an update every 10 days, and ADHNC every 3 weeks. Most recently, Span Calc was updated on August 13, 2026 and ADHNC on September 16, 2026.

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