How many decks did Noah's Ark have in the Genesis construction instructions?

The Genesis construction instructions give Noah's Ark three decks.

Genesis 6:16 describes the ark as having lower, second, and third levels. The same verse also mentions a window or opening and a door in its side. These details are part of the short set of dimensions and features provided before the flood narrative moves to Noah's obedience and the animals' arrival.

The three-level arrangement is sometimes overlooked because popular illustrations emphasize the ark's outer shape rather than its internal layout. Genesis does not provide a detailed floor plan, room measurements, stairways, or a complete inventory of compartments. It simply states that the vessel was divided into three decks, likely allowing space for people, animals, supplies, and structural organization.

The deck count should not be confused with the ark's dimensions. Genesis gives the vessel a length of 300 cubits, a width of 50 cubits, and a height of 30 cubits. Since the length of a cubit varied historically, modern estimates of the ark's size differ. The number of decks, however, is stated separately and consistently in standard translations.