Resources

How to Calculate Cubic Yards

The formula behind every bulk material calculator, explained step by step.

How Much Gravel Do I Need?

How to measure a driveway or path and estimate gravel by the ton.

How Much Topsoil Do I Need?

Depth guidelines for lawns, garden beds, and raised beds.

How to Calculate Square Footage

Measuring rectangles, triangles, circles, and irregular rooms correctly.

Cubic Yards vs Tons: What’s the Difference?

Why bulk materials are sold in two different units, and how to convert between them.

How Asphalt Tonnage Is Calculated

The density assumptions behind asphalt driveway estimates.

How to Measure for Concrete

Measuring slabs, footings, and columns before you order ready-mix.

How to Measure a Roof Pitch

A simple level-and-tape-measure method for finding your roof pitch.

How Much Sand Do I Need?

Depth guidelines for paver base, play areas, and fill sand projects.

How Much Fill Dirt Do I Need?

Estimating fill dirt for grading, low spots, and excavation backfill.

How to Estimate Landscaping Stone

Coverage math for flagstone, river rock, and rip rap, which don’t follow the usual volume formula.

How to Calculate Linear Feet

Adding up multiple runs correctly, and why linear feet isn’t the same as square footage.

How to Calculate Concrete Blocks Needed

Counting blocks and mortar for a wall, and why openings matter more than you’d think.

How to Calculate Rebar for a Slab

Turning a grid spacing into a bar count and a 20ft-stick order.

How to Calculate Board Feet

The lumber industry’s volume unit, explained with real cut-list examples.

How to Estimate Fence Materials

Converting a fence line into a post count, panel count, and footing concrete.

How Much Paint Do I Need?

Turning wall dimensions into gallons, with doors, windows, and coats accounted for.

How Much Mulch Do I Need?

Depth guidelines for garden beds, and converting cubic yards into bag counts.

How Many Tiles Do I Need?

Converting room area and tile size into a tile count, box count, and waste allowance.

How Many Sheets of Drywall Do I Need?

Sheet size tradeoffs, and estimating joint compound alongside the sheet count.

How Much Siding Do I Need?

Why siding is sold in "squares," and how to subtract doors and windows correctly.

How Much Insulation Do I Need?

Picking the right R-value for walls vs attics, and converting area into bag counts.

How Many Retaining Wall Blocks Do I Need?

Turning wall length and height into a course count, block count, and base gravel.

How Many Deck Boards Do I Need?

Converting deck area into linear footage of decking, board count, and screw count.

Gravel vs Crushed Stone: What’s the Difference?

Why the two terms get used interchangeably, and when the distinction actually matters.

Topsoil vs Garden Soil: Which One Do You Need?

Two different products sold in similar bags — here’s when to use each.

Concrete vs Cement: What’s the Difference?

The single most mixed-up pair of terms in construction, explained simply.

Pea Gravel vs River Rock: Which Should You Use?

Size, cost, and use-case differences between the two most common landscaping rocks.

How Many Shingles Do I Need?

Why a sloped roof has more surface area than the building footprint, and converting that into squares and bundles.

How Much Wallpaper Do I Need?

Converting wall area into a roll count, and why wallpaper needs more waste allowance than paint.

R-13 vs R-19 vs R-30 Insulation: Which Do You Need?

How R-value relates to wall thickness, attic use, and your climate zone.