Guides
Step-by-step explanations of the measurements and formulas behind common home projects, with worked examples you can check against the calculators.
Guide · 7 min read
How to Calculate Concrete Volume
Formulas for slabs, footings and columns, unit conversions and how much extra to order.
Read guideGuide · 6 min read
How Much Mulch Do You Need?
Choosing a depth, measuring odd-shaped beds and deciding between bags and bulk.
Read guideGuide · 6 min read
How to Calculate Square Footage
Rectangles, L-shapes, triangles and circles, plus feet-and-inches conversions.
Read guideGuide · 7 min read
How to Calculate Gravel for a Driveway
Measuring, layering, compaction and converting volume to tons.
Read guideGuide · 6 min read
How Much Paint Do You Need for a Room?
Measuring walls, coverage rates, coats, ceilings and choosing can sizes.
Read guideGuide · 7 min read
How Many Bags of Concrete Do I Need?
Turning a volume into bags, post holes with the post in place, and when ready-mix makes more sense.
Read guideGuide · 8 min read
How Many Fence Posts Do I Need?
Counting posts for straight runs, corners and gates, plus rails, pickets and concrete.
Read guideGuide · 8 min read
How to Calculate Tile and Grout for a Bathroom
Floor and shower walls, waste for small rooms, boxes, and grout for big tiles versus mosaics.
Read guideGuide · 6 min read
How Much Soil Do You Need for a Raised Bed?
Bed volume, bags versus bulk, filling deep beds cheaply, and topping up as soil settles.
Read guideGuide · 7 min read
How to Calculate Pavers for a Patio
Pavers per square foot, laying patterns and waste, plus base gravel, sand and edging.
Read guideGuide · 7 min read
How to Estimate Drywall for a Room
Wall and ceiling area, which sheet size to buy, and why longer sheets save work.
Read guideGuide · 6 min read
Cubic Yards Explained
What a cubic yard looks like, conversions, coverage at different depths, and common ordering mistakes.
Read guideGuide · 7 min read
Metric and Imperial Measurements for DIY
US vs UK gallons, tons vs tonnes, nominal timber sizes and the conversions worth remembering.
Read guideGuide · 6 min read
How Much Extra Material Should You Buy?
Waste allowances by material, what drives them up, and the cost of running short.
Read guideGuide · 6 min read
How Much Paint for Ceilings, Trim and Doors
Ceiling area, trim measured by length, doors by the face, and buying the right can sizes.
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