Code-cited construction estimators that turn project dimensions into a material buy-list — lumber, drywall, concrete, pavers, flooring, insulation. IRC, ASTM, ICPI, DOE, NWFA.
17 free calculators — enter your room or project dimensions and get an itemized material list with estimated quantities, waste factors, and a dimensional check that flags inputs falling outside IRC, ASTM, ICPI, DOE, or NWFA published minimums. Free PDF for the hardware-store run. No signup, no subscription.
Each calculator runs dimensional checks against the relevant IRC, ASTM, ICPI, DOE, or NWFA published minimums — see each calculator's dimensional check section for citations.
Browse all calculators →Estimates only — verify dimensions and applicable codes with your local building authority before construction. See our disclaimer.
Pick your project — get your material list
Sixteen free calculators across decks, flooring, concrete, drywall, insulation, and pavers. Each one outputs the quantities, the waste factor, and the code citations — ready for your hardware-store run.
- Stair CalculatorRise, run, and stringer length, with IRC dimensional references.Available now →
- Sheetrock CalculatorDrywall sheets, mud, tape, and screws — adjusts mud by finish level (Level 4 / 5 / Knockdown). Cites ASTM C36, C840, C1396 + IRC §721.Available now →
- Paver CalculatorPavers, base, edge restraint, polymeric sand — patio / walkway / driveway / fire pit. Cites ICPI Tech Spec 2/3/4 + ASTM C936. Handles L-shape + curved walkway.Available now →
- Attic Insulation CalculatorBags of blown insulation needed to hit your target R-value — accounts for existing insulation. DOE climate-zone table, type comparison panel.Available now →
- Hardwood Flooring CalculatorBoards, cartons, and install materials by layout pattern and room shape. NWFA-sourced waste factors. Board-width formula. L-shape support.Available now →
- Laminate Flooring CalculatorPlanks, cartons, and underlayment — AC-rating wear guide, door-clearance check, moisture barrier flag.Available now →
- Concrete Slab CalculatorCubic yards, 80lb and 60lb bag counts, ready-mix comparison — with IRC R506.1 thickness dimensional check.Available now →
- Concrete Block CalculatorCalculate CMU blocks, mortar bags, and waste for any concrete block wall.Available now →
- Fire Pit Paver CalculatorPavers per course, wall height, and base materials for any fire pit diameter. Dry-stack or mortared. Cites ICPI Tech Spec 2.Available now →
- Vinyl Flooring CalculatorLVP cartons, underlayment, adhesive, and moisture barrier — with click-lock / glue-down / loose-lay branching and concrete-vs-wood subfloor handling. RFCI-cited 10% straight / 15% diagonal waste.Available now →
- Carpet CalculatorLinear yards, padding, and tack strip — with seam-aware roll-width math (12′, 13′2″, 15′), run-direction selector, and L-shape support. CRI 105 industry-practice waste factors.Available now →
- Deck Joist CalculatorJoist count, lineal feet, hanger count, and IRC R507.5 span-table dimensional check. Multi-species (SYP / DFL / Hem-Fir / SPF), multi-grade, cantilever rule (≤25%), and L-shape (wraparound) deck support.Available now →
- Deck Beam CalculatorCompute prescriptive beam size (single 2×N / doubled / tripled) per IRC R507.5 and AWC DCA-6 from tributary width + species + post spacing. Built-in §2 compliance disclosure + composite-decking max-spacing warning.Available now →
- Deck Railing CalculatorCompute post count, baluster count, and rail lengths per IRC R312 / R311.7.8 / AWC DCA-6. L-shape corner-post deduction + 4-inch sphere check + composite manufacturer max-spacing warning + handrail trigger for stairs ≥4 risers.Available now →
- Stair Stringer CalculatorStringer length (Pythagorean), notch geometry, throat depth check (AWC DCA-6 Fig. 28 5.5 in min), and stringer count with itemized IRC R311.7.5.x compliance disclosure. PT 2×12 / PT 2×10 / LVL material variants.Available now →
- Blown-In Insulation R-Value CalculatorCompute R-value from depth (forward) or required depth for a target R (inverse) — for AttiCat fiberglass + Greenfiber SANCTUARY / SANCTUARY DEFENSE cellulose. ASTM C739 settling reference, DOE + ENERGY STAR climate-zone targets, estimated bag counts from current manufacturer coverage charts.Available now →
- Drywall Mud CalculatorJoint compound gallons, tape lineal feet, and drywall screws by GA-214 finish level (Level 4 / Level 5 / Knockdown) and tape type (paper vs fiberglass mesh). USG-cited coverage rates + IRC R702.3.5 fastener math.Available now →
Download a PDF planning reference — free, one click, no account
Every calculator generates a branded PDF with your inputs, estimated results, waste factors, trade notes, and code citations — ready to hand to your contractor or bring to the hardware store.
Get notified when we ship new calculators
One concise email per week with the newest calculators and guides. No spam, no affiliate pitches.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy. Unsubscribe anytime.
Why CraftedCalcs
CraftedCalcs shows the math and checks your dimensions against code minimums — make informed material decisions and build your project with confidence.
- Live dimensional checks — flags when your inputs fall outside IRC, ASTM, ICPI, DOE, or NWFA published minimums. Not a compliance certificate. The Stair Calculator, for example, highlights which inputs fall outside IRC rise and run limits in real time.
- Planning schematics — labeled 2D drawings for quick visualization and printable reference. Not engineered shop drawings. Every diagram is included in the PDF export.
- One-click PDF export on every calculator — saves your inputs, results, waste factors, and code references as a printable planning reference. No account needed.
- Every formula is shown so you can check the math yourself.
- Industry-standard waste factors by install type — straight lay, diagonal, herringbone.
- A "What else you'll need" list highlights common secondary materials that are easy to overlook.
- Scope notes offer practical guidance on whether a project typically suits a DIYer or calls for a licensed contractor.
Standards we cite
Every authoritative number on a CraftedCalcs result page traces to a published code section or industry standard. Each calculator's Citations & Sources section names the specific provision — we do not republish copyrighted standard text. Verify any cited provision against the publisher's official document before relying on it for permit-bearing work.
- International Residential Code (IRC) — Stair Calculator (R311.7.5), Stair Stringer Calculator (R311.7.5.x, R502.8), Stairs with Landing Calculator (R311.7.6), Deck Joist Calculator (R507), Deck Beam Calculator (R507), Deck Railing Calculator (R312, R311.7.8), Concrete Slab Calculator (R506.1, R506.2.2), Sheetrock Calculator (§721), Drywall Mud Calculator (R702.3.5), Attic Insulation Calculator (N1102.1), How Much Insulation Calculator (N1102.4, R806.3).
- ASTM International standards — Sheetrock Calculator (C36, C840, C1396), Drywall Mud Calculator (C840, C1396), How Big Is a Sheet of Drywall (C1396).
- DOE / ENERGY STAR Recommended R-value tables — all four insulation calculators (Attic Insulation, Blown-In Insulation, Blown-In R-Value, How Much Insulation Do I Need).
- AWC DCA-6 — Prescriptive Residential Wood Deck Construction — Stair Stringer (Fig. 28 throat depth), Deck Beam, Deck Joist.
- ICPI Tech Spec 2 — Segmental Concrete Pavement — Paver Calculator, Paver Base, Paver Walkway, Paver Weight, Fire Pit Paver, Patio Stone.
- NWFA Installation Guidelines — Hardwood Flooring Calculator.
- GA-214 — Recommended Levels of Gypsum Board Finish — Sheetrock Calculator, Drywall Mud Calculator.
- CRI 105 — Installation Standard for Residential Carpet — Carpet Calculator.
- Manufacturer Technical Data Sheets — USG Sheetrock (drywall coverage), Owens Corning AttiCat (settled-depth tables), Greenfiber SANCTUARY / SANCTUARY DEFENSE (current coverage chart).
Local building codes may amend or supersede the model codes above. Verify any cited provision against your local building department's adopted edition before construction. Calculators not listed under a specific standard (e.g., Concrete Block, Laminate Flooring, Vinyl Flooring, Underlayment, Cellulose Insulation) draw on widely-published trade conventions and manufacturer literature — see each page's Citations & Sources section for the per-calculator scope.