Construction Material Calculator

How much concrete, lumber, drywall, paint, roofing, or insulation do you need? Get instant quantities with waste factors included — free, no sign-up required.

Instant results ✓ Waste factor included ✓ 6 material types ✓ No sign-up required
Concrete Calculator
Enter slab or footing dimensions
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📐

Fill in the dimensions on the left
and hit Calculate to see your quantities.

Cubic yards needed
+10%
waste factor
Typical Material Cost
Regional average · materials only
🌎 US National
estimate
ℹ️

We add 10% for waste. Actual waste varies by project complexity, cuts, and installer experience.

⚠️ AI-generated estimate — not professional advice. Learn more
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Tips for Each Material

Quick reference to get your estimates right the first time.

🏗️

How to Calculate Concrete for a Slab

Standard residential slabs are 4" thick. Driveways and garage floors typically need 4–6". Always order an extra 10% — you can't stop a pour midway.

  • 1 cubic yard ≈ 27 cubic feet
  • A 4" slab covers ~81 sq ft per yard
  • 80 lb bags yield 0.60 cu ft each
  • 60 lb bags yield 0.45 cu ft each
  • Ready-mix is cheaper for pours > 1 yard
🪵

Standard Stud Spacing for Framing

16" on-center is the residential standard. 24" O.C. saves material but requires thicker drywall. Always add plates (top + bottom) to your stud count.

  • Divide wall length by spacing, add 1
  • Add 2 studs per door opening
  • Add 2 plates per linear foot of wall
  • 2×6 framing provides better insulation (R-19)
  • Order 10–15% extra for cuts and rejects
🧱

Drywall Sheet Coverage Guide

Standard 4'×8' sheets cover 32 sq ft. Use 4'×12' for 9-ft ceilings to reduce seams. Buy 10% extra for waste and damaged pieces.

  • 1/2" drywall for interior walls (standard)
  • 5/8" type-X for fire-rated assemblies
  • 1 bag joint compound per 200 sq ft
  • 1 roll mesh tape per 75 linear ft of seams
  • Subtract 15 sq ft per standard door opening
🎨

Paint Coverage Standards

One gallon covers ~350 sq ft per coat with proper surface prep. Dark colors or stains may need 3 coats. Always buy a full 5-gal bucket for jobs > 4 gallons.

  • 1 gallon = ~350 sq ft (1 coat)
  • Subtract ~20 sq ft per standard window
  • Subtract ~15 sq ft per standard door
  • Primer: 1 coat, same coverage estimate
  • Flat finish hides imperfections better than gloss
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Roofing Squares & Pitch Explained

A "square" = 100 sq ft of finished roof. Most bundles of architectural shingles cover ~33 sq ft (3 bundles per square). Add 15% for steep pitches and waste.

  • 3 bundles = 1 roofing square (100 sq ft)
  • Steeper pitch = more actual roof surface
  • Add 1 roll of underlayment per 4 squares
  • Ice + water shield required in freeze zones
  • Drip edge: measure perimeter + 10%
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Choosing the Right R-Value

Higher R-value = better thermal resistance. DOE recommends R-38 to R-60 for attics in most US climate zones. Walls typically need R-13 to R-21.

  • 2×4 walls: R-13 or R-15 batts
  • 2×6 walls: R-19 or R-21 batts
  • Attics: R-38 to R-49 (most US zones)
  • Kraft-faced batts go between framing
  • Unfaced batts for adding to existing insulation

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