Material estimating guides

Step-by-step how-tos with a calculator built into every post. Learn the formulas, avoid the common measuring mistakes, and order the right amount the first time.

How Much Paint Do You Need for a Room?

Measure wall area, subtract doors and windows, and divide by 350 sq ft per gallon. A 12x12 room usually needs about 2 gallons for two coats.

How Much Gravel Do You Need for a Driveway?

Size a gravel driveway in tons and cubic yards, learn the right depth per layer, and avoid the ordering mistakes that leave you short.

How Much Concrete Do You Need for a 10x10 Slab?

A 10x10 slab at 4 inches thick needs about 1.23 cubic yards of concrete. See the bag counts, thickness table, and when to order ready-mix.

How Many Bags of Mulch Are in a Yard?

One cubic yard of mulch equals 13.5 bags of 2 cubic-foot mulch. Here is the math, a bag-count table, and when bulk beats bags.

How Do You Calculate Cubic Yards? A Simple Guide

Convert length, width, and depth into cubic yards for soil, gravel, mulch, and concrete — with a conversion table and worked examples.

How to Calculate Asphalt Tonnage (With a Worked Example)

A step-by-step method for converting a paved area and thickness into tons of hot-mix asphalt, plus a quick-reference tonnage table.