How Much to DIY

Measure · Calculate · Build

Tell us what you’re building. We’ll help you figure out what you need.

Free project calculators for patios, fences, gravel, mulch, soil, concrete and flooring. Start with the measurements you know, see your project drawn, and leave with a shopping list. Nothing is guessed for you.

Choose a project My projects
Backyard patio of grey and tan concrete pavers with two outdoor chairs beside a lawnPlan itPaver patio

Projects

What are you building?

Each planner works in US or metric units, has a step-by-step Guide Me mode, and saves to this device as you type.

  • Paver patio

    Whole pavers, edge restraint for the open edges only, base and bedding volumes, and dig depth.

    Plan a paver patio

  • Fence

    Posts counted by type, gates placed where they go, panels or pickets and rails, post-hole concrete.

    Plan a fence

  • Gravel

    Cubic yards from any mix of shapes; tons only from your supplier’s weight figure.

    Plan gravel

  • Mulch

    Several beds at once, tree rings left out, bags or bulk yards.

    Plan mulch

  • Soil and raised beds

    Any number of raised beds, or topsoil spread over the ground.

    Plan soil

  • Concrete

    Slabs, footings and post holes, with the post subtracted. Bags from the label yield.

    Plan concrete

  • Flooring

    Boxes, whole tiles, or roll length, with the waste allowance you choose.

    Plan flooring

How it works

From a tape measure to a list you can shop from.

  1. Measure

    Describe the shape and dimensions you actually have. Add extra areas, or areas to leave out.

  2. Calculate

    See the quick answer as soon as the inputs support one, never a made-up zero.

  3. Understand

    Every step of the math is shown with your numbers, next to a drawing of your project.

  4. Buy

    Store Mode turns quantities into packages from the size and price on the label in your hand.

  5. Build

    Print a plan with quantities, assumptions, and what’s still undecided.

Why you can check our numbers

  • Formulas are published, with worked examples you can redo by hand.
  • Construction guidance is sourced to manufacturers and university extension services, and labelled where sources disagree.
  • Local rules (permits, frost depth, setbacks) are flagged as local, not answered for you.
How we calculate →

Your projects stay with you

  • No account, and no sign-up wall.
  • Projects are saved only in this browser, and you can export them to a file.
  • Name, duplicate and revisit them when the next job comes round.
Privacy →

Common questions

Is it free?

Yes. Every calculator, plan, Store Mode and printout is free to use, with no account.

How accurate are the estimates?

The arithmetic is exact for the shapes and inputs you give it, and rounded up to whole items you can buy. Real projects add cuts, settling and spillage; that’s what the extra allowance you choose is for.

Can I use metric?

Yes. Switch between US and metric at any time. What you typed is kept exactly as typed.

Is this professional advice?

No. These are material estimates, not engineering, code or legal advice. Structural work, permits and local requirements need local answers.