How we calculate

Shared assumptions

• 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet; 1 sq ft = 144 sq in; 1 cu ft = 1,728 cu in.
• Concrete bag yields: 80 lb ≈ 0.60 cu ft, 60 lb ≈ 0.45 cu ft (typical published yields).
• Crushed gravel ≈ 1.4 tons per cubic yard; sand ≈ 1.35 tons per cubic yard. Actual density varies by material and moisture.
• Paint coverage ≈ 350 sq ft per gallon per coat; doors 20 sq ft, windows 15 sq ft.
• Patio planner pavers: choose 4x8, 6x6, 6x9, 8x8, 12x12, 16x16 or 12x24 in (default 4x8 holland brick); count = area × 144 ÷ paver area in sq in.
• Waste factors: pavers 5%, flooring 10% (editable), concrete 10% (editable), paver base +10% for compaction.
• Countable items (bags, boards, pavers) are always rounded up.

Mulch Calculator

Cubic yards = Length × Width × (Depth ÷ 12) ÷ 27. Bags = cubic feet ÷ bag size in cu ft (1, 2, 3 or 27), rounded up.

Gravel Calculator

Cubic yards = Length × Width × (Depth ÷ 12) ÷ 27. Tons ≈ cubic yards × 1.4 (crushed stone).

Concrete Slab Calculator

Cubic feet = L × W × (T ÷ 12) × (1 + waste). Cubic yards = cu ft ÷ 27. 80 lb bags = cu ft ÷ 0.60; 60 lb bags = cu ft ÷ 0.45.

Paint Calculator

Paintable area = Perimeter × Height − 20 sq ft per door − 15 sq ft per window. Gallons = Area × Coats ÷ 350 sq ft/gal.

Flooring Calculator

Square feet to buy = L × W × (1 + waste). Boxes = round up (sq ft ÷ coverage per box).

Topsoil Calculator

Cubic yards = L × W × (Depth ÷ 12) ÷ 27. Bags = cubic feet ÷ bag volume (0.75, 1 or 1.5 cu ft; a 40 lb bag ≈ 0.75 cu ft), rounded up.

Paver Calculator

Pavers = (L × W × 144) ÷ (paver length × paver width) × (1 + waste), rounded up.

Fence Post & Concrete Calculator

Posts = round up (Length ÷ Spacing) + 1. Concrete per post (cu ft) = (π × (D ÷ 2)² × depth − post² × depth) ÷ 1728, using actual post size (4x4 = 3.5 in, 6x6 = 5.5 in). Bags = total ÷ bag yield (40 lb ≈ 0.30, 60 lb ≈ 0.45, 80 lb ≈ 0.60 cu ft), rounded up.

Patio Planner

Pavers per sq ft = 144 ÷ (paver length × width in inches), e.g. 4×8 in = 4.5 per sq ft; pavers = area × that × 1.05 (5% waste), rounded up. Base: 4 in compacted gravel, +10% for compaction → tons at 1.4/cu yd. Sand: 1 in bedding layer → tons at 1.35/cu yd. Edging: perimeter +5%, sold in 8 ft pieces.

Fence Planner

Posts every 8 ft: round up (L ÷ 8) + 1. Rails: 2 per section (3 if height > 5 ft). Pickets (5.5 in + 0.5 in gap = 2 per ft) × L × 1.05. Concrete: 10 in hole, depth = max(24 in, height × 12 ÷ 3), 80 lb bags at 0.60 cu ft.

Raised Garden Bed Planner

Board courses = round up (height ÷ 5.5 in) of 2×6. Each course needs 2 sides (length) + 2 ends (width); boards cut from 8 ft stock. Corner posts: 4 × 4×4. Screws: 4 per corner per course. Soil cu yd = L × W × (H ÷ 12) ÷ 27.

Estimates only. Follow local building codes (e.g., frost depth for posts) and product labels.