Practical construction and home-improvement guides to help you estimate materials, understand common measurements and plan projects with greater confidence.
Use the guides below alongside our free calculators to check quantities, waste allowances, coverage and purchase requirements before starting work.
Concrete and Masonry
How Much Concrete Do I Need?
Learn how to calculate concrete volume for slabs, patios, footings, walls and post holes.
Topics covered:
- Cubic feet and cubic yards
- Concrete thickness
- Waste allowance
- Ready-mix orders
- 40 lb, 60 lb and 80 lb bag quantities
Related calculator:
Concrete Calculator
How Many Concrete Bags Make a Cubic Yard?
Understand approximate bag yields and how many bags are required for different project sizes.
Related calculator:
Concrete Calculator
How to Estimate Bricks for a Wall
Calculate wall area, subtract doors and windows, account for mortar joints and add a suitable waste allowance.
Related calculator:
Brick Calculator
Flooring and Tile
How Much Flooring Should I Buy?
Learn how to calculate floor area, account for room shape and estimate the number of flooring boxes required.
Topics covered:
- Measuring room dimensions
- Multiple-room calculations
- Product coverage per box
- Waste percentages
- Straight and diagonal layouts
Related calculator:
Flooring Calculator
How Much Flooring Waste Should I Add?
A simple guide to choosing a practical waste allowance based on room shape, installation pattern and material type.
Typical planning allowances:
- Simple rectangular room: 5% to 10%
- Several rooms or moderate cutting: 10% to 15%
- Diagonal or complex pattern: 15% to 20%
Related calculator:
Flooring Calculator
How Many Tiles Do I Need?
Estimate individual tiles, total tiled area and the number of boxes needed for floors, walls and backsplashes.
Related calculator:
Tile Calculator
Paint and Interior Finishing
How Much Paint Do I Need for a Room?
Calculate paintable wall area using the room perimeter, wall height, doors, windows and number of coats.
Topics covered:
- Wall-area calculation
- Doors and windows
- One coat versus two coats
- Paint coverage per gallon
- Primer considerations
Related calculator:
Paint Calculator
Should You Subtract Windows and Doors From Paint Area?
For a quick estimate, small openings may be left in the calculation. For more accurate planning, larger windows, doors and openings should be deducted.
Related calculator:
Paint Calculator
How Many Drywall Sheets Do I Need?
Estimate sheets for walls and ceilings using common 4 × 8 ft, 4 × 10 ft and 4 × 12 ft panel sizes.
Related calculator:
Drywall Calculator
Roofing and Exterior Projects
How Many Roofing Squares Do I Need?
Understand roof area, pitch factors, roofing squares, bundles and waste allowances.
One roofing square covers:
100 square feetRelated calculator:
Roofing Calculator
How Many Shingle Bundles Are in a Roofing Square?
Many standard shingle products use approximately three bundles per roofing square, although premium products may differ.
Always confirm the manufacturer’s packaging information before ordering.
Related calculator:
Roofing Calculator
How Many Fence Posts Do I Need?
Calculate sections, posts and spacing for a straight fence line.
Additional posts may be required for:
- Gates
- Corners
- Ends
- Changes in direction
- Changes in elevation
Related calculator:
Fence Calculator
Decking and Framing
How Many Deck Boards Do I Need?
Estimate deck area, board coverage, spacing, waste and the final number of boards required.
Related calculator:
Deck Calculator
How Many Wall Studs Do I Need?
Calculate a basic stud count using wall length and common spacing such as 16 or 24 inches on centre.
Additional framing may be needed around:
- Doors
- Windows
- Corners
- Intersections
- Headers
- Load-bearing sections
Related calculator:
Wall Stud Calculator
Landscaping
How Much Mulch Do I Need?
Estimate mulch in cubic feet, cubic yards and bags using the total area and installation depth.
Common planning depths:
- Light refresh: 1 to 2 inches
- General landscaping: 2 to 3 inches
- Weed suppression: 3 to 4 inches
Related calculator:
Mulch Calculator
How Much Gravel Do I Need?
Calculate gravel volume for driveways, pathways, landscaping and drainage areas.
Because gravel density varies, tonnage estimates should always be confirmed with the supplier.
Related calculator:
Gravel Calculator
Measuring Project Areas
How to Calculate Square Footage
For a rectangular area:
Square footage = Length × WidthFor irregular spaces, divide the project into smaller rectangles, calculate each section and add the results together.
Related calculator:
Square Footage Calculator
How to Measure an L-Shaped Room
Divide the room into two rectangles:
- Measure the first section.
- Measure the second section.
- Calculate both areas.
- Add them together.
This method also works for many irregular floors, patios and garden areas.
Related calculator:
Square Footage Calculator
How to Use These Guides
For the best estimate:
- Measure the project carefully.
- Use the related calculator.
- Add an appropriate waste allowance.
- Check the product’s actual coverage.
- Round up to whole purchase units.
- Confirm quantities with the supplier or contractor.
Important Notice
Calculate My Build provides approximate planning estimates only.
Actual requirements may vary because of product dimensions, manufacturer coverage, installation method, site conditions, breakage, compaction, local building codes and contractor recommendations.
Always verify quantities before purchasing materials or beginning construction.