Project calculators start with a typical size for a job, such as a slab, driveway, garden bed, or truck load, so you can adjust the numbers instead of starting from nothing.
Each page lists the steps, a table of common sizes, tips, and mistakes to avoid.
Concrete projects
Concrete Slab CalculatorSlabs for patios, sheds, garage floors, and pads are the most common ready mix order, and the thickness matters as much as the footprint.Driveway CalculatorA driveway needs concrete or asphalt on top and compacted stone below, so plan both volumes.Patio CalculatorA poured patio uses a 4 inch slab, while a paver patio uses a stone base and a sand layer instead.Sidewalk CalculatorWalks are long and narrow, so a small change in width makes a big change in volume.Concrete Footing CalculatorFootings spread the weight of a wall or building over the soil, and their size comes from your plans or the local code.Post Holes CalculatorFence and deck posts are set in round holes, and the numbers add up quickly when there are many posts.Concrete Foundation CalculatorA slab on grade foundation is a flat slab with thickened edges, and the edges can add a lot of concrete.Concrete Wall CalculatorFor a wall, the width is the thickness and the depth is the height, so check which box is which.
Landscaping and aggregate projects
Gravel Driveway CalculatorA gravel drive is built in layers: a coarse base, then a finer surface, and each layer needs its own order.Paver Base CalculatorThe base under pavers is compacted crushed stone, and it is the layer that keeps a patio flat for years.Flower Bed Mulch CalculatorA fresh layer of mulch is the quickest way to tidy a bed, and measuring it takes only a minute.Lawn Topsoil CalculatorA new lawn starts with a layer of good soil, and large yards need a delivery truck rather than bags.Raised Garden Bed CalculatorRaised beds are filled with a blend of soil and compost, so a small bed needs less than a full cubic yard.French Drain CalculatorA French drain is a gravel filled trench with a perforated pipe that carries water away from a wet area.Retaining Wall Backfill CalculatorClean crushed stone behind a retaining wall lets water drain through instead of pushing the wall over.Sandbox Sand CalculatorSandboxes need play sand that is washed and screened, and a small box takes less than a cubic yard.Playground Mulch CalculatorSafe playground surfaces use a deep layer of loose fill that meets safety guidelines for the equipment height.Shed Base Gravel CalculatorA compacted gravel pad keeps a shed dry and level, and it needs to extend a bit past the shed walls.Garden Path Gravel CalculatorA gravel path is cheap and quick, and a small path needs less than a cubic yard.
Excavation and load projects
Dump Truck Load CalculatorA truck bed has a size and a weight limit, and both matter.Pickup Truck Load CalculatorA pickup bed often has room for 1 to 2 cubic yards by volume, but payload limits usually stop you first.Trailer Load CalculatorUtility and dump trailers carry larger loads than pickups, and the weight rating decides what you can haul.Dumpster Size CalculatorDumpsters are sized in cubic yards, and renting the right size saves a second trip.Wheelbarrow Load CalculatorMost wheelbarrows hold 3 to 6 cubic feet, so you can turn a delivered pile into a number of trips.Loader Bucket CalculatorSkid steer and tractor buckets are rated in cubic yards, so you can convert a pile into a bucket count.Excavation Dirt Removal CalculatorDigging a hole produces more dirt than the hole itself holds, because loose soil takes up extra space.Pool Excavation CalculatorA pool hole is larger than the pool itself, because crews dig extra room for walls, plumbing, and bedding.Pond CalculatorPonds are oval or free form, and the water bowl is shaped like a shallow dish, so the oval formula gives a generous estimate.
Frequently asked questions
Can I change the size?
Yes. Every example is editable.
How much extra should I order?
Plan 5 to 10 percent extra, more for uneven ground.