Planning Toolkit
CALC-IT
7 conversion calculator tools for building: coverage, roof pitch, hip and valley pitches, concrete, board feet, stair framing and the builder’s calculator. Work out the numbers as you type, save a takeoff on this device, download a PDF, or email a copy. Fractions work as typed: 5 1/2, 5-1/2 or 5.5.
Keep calculating while using any tool. Drag the calculator by its handle, minimize it, or close it.
How to use coverage converterSteps and a worked example. Results update as you type.
Steps
- Measure the area
Enter the square feet to cover. Add a material or wall name so you can identify it later.
- Enter the installed exposure
Use the visible face of each installed board in inches, not its nominal width. You can type fractions such as 5 1/2.
- Allow for waste and cost
Choose a waste percentage. Enter your price per lineal foot if you want a cost estimate.
- Build and review your order
Read the lineal feet and rounded piece counts. Use Add to list for each wall or material, then review the materials list total.
- Save or share your takeoff
Save calculation keeps this takeoff in this browser. Use Saved calculations → Restore to reopen it. Download PDF includes results, diagrams, steps and a worked example. Choose Email PDF to send that PDF as an attachment, or Copy full takeoff for text.
Worked example: 120 sq ft of garage siding
See the measurements, calculation and expected results.
Enter these measurements
- What you are covering
- Example: garage siding
- Area to cover
- 120 sq ft
- Stack height (exposure)
- 6 in
- Waste allowance
- 10%
- Your price per lineal foot
- Leave blank
How the result is worked out
- Convert the area to lineal feet: (120 × 12) ÷ 6 = 240 LF before waste.
- Add 10% waste: 240 × 1.10 = 264 LF.
- For 12 ft pieces: 264 ÷ 12 = 22 pieces.
Expected results
- Net, no waste
- 240.00 LF
- With 10% waste
- 264.00 LF
- 12 ft pieces to order
- 22
The 6 in exposure is the visible installed face. Add this wall to the materials list if you want to combine it with other walls; do not add the same wall twice.
Loading replaces this calculator’s current entries and list or schedule. Save your current takeoff first if you want to keep it.
Your numbers
Siding, Hardie board, paneling, decking, flooring and drywall
Optional, for example “Hardie siding, north wall”.
The visible face of one board once it is up. Fractions or decimals: 5 1/2, 5-1/2 and 5.5 are the same. = 5.500"
Waste allowance
Optional. Leave it empty for no cost line.
Materials list
Add each wall or material to total the whole job.
Nothing on the list yet.
Lineal feet
With 10% waste
1,200.00 LF
- Net, no waste
- 1,090.91 LF
- Lineal feet per sq ft
- 2.182
Pieces to order
- 150at 8 ft
- 120at 10 ft
- 100at 12 ft
- 75at 16 ft
LF = (sq ft × 12) ÷ stack height in inches
How to use pitch converterSteps and a worked example. Results update as you type.
Steps
- Choose the roof pitch
Use the slider or a pitch button. A 6:12 pitch rises 6 inches for every 12 inches of horizontal run.
- Measure the run and overhang
Enter the level distance from wall plate to ridge in feet. Enter the horizontal eave overhang in inches; use 0 if there is none.
- Set up the material takeoff
Enter the combined flat footprint of all roof planes in square feet. Choose a panel size, rafter spacing and sheeting waste.
- Review the roof diagrams
Read the slope angle in degrees and the slope grade percentage directly below it. Grade is rise divided by horizontal run, multiplied by 100. Check the rafter length, eave tail, suggested stock, sloped area and panel count. Rafter count and panel layout are estimates; confirm the roof shape and openings on your plans.
- Save or share your takeoff
Save calculation keeps this takeoff in this browser. Use Saved calculations → Restore to reopen it. Download PDF includes results, diagrams, steps and a worked example. Choose Email PDF to send that PDF as an attachment, or Copy full takeoff for text.
Worked example: A 6:12 roof with a 12 ft run
See the measurements, calculation and expected results.
Enter these measurements
- Pitch
- 6:12
- Horizontal run
- 12 ft
- Eave overhang
- 12 in
- Flat roof area
- 1,000 sq ft
- Sheeting panel
- 4 × 8 ft
- Rafter spacing
- 16 in OC
- Sheeting waste
- 10%
How the result is worked out
- Slope factor: √(6² + 12²) ÷ 12 ≈ 1.1180. Multiply the 12 ft run by this factor for a 13.42 ft rafter.
- The 12 in overhang adds 1 ft of horizontal run: (12 + 1) × slope factor ≈ 14.53 ft including the tail.
- Sloped area is 1,000 × slope factor ≈ 1,118.0 sq ft. Add 10% waste, divide by 32 sq ft per panel, and round up to 39 sheets.
Expected results
- Slope angle
- 26.57°
- Slope grade percentage
- 50.00%
- Rafter before overhang
- 13.42 ft
- With the overhang
- 14.53 ft
- Stock to buy
- 16 ft
- Sloped area
- 1,118.0 sq ft
- Sheeting panels
- 39 sheets
The run is level, not measured along the roof slope. Slope grade percentage is rise divided by horizontal run, multiplied by 100: 6 ÷ 12 × 100 = 50%. The roof diagram separates the plate-to-ridge rafter from its eave tail. Panel layout and rafter quantities still need a plan check.
Loading replaces this calculator’s current entries and list or schedule. Save your current takeoff first if you want to keep it.
Your numbers
Roof framing and rafter length
Wall plate to the ridge, level.
Optional. Adds the tail.
Roof area & sheeting
Enter the combined flat footprint of all roof planes. Panel count includes waste and rounds up.
- Slope angle
- 26.57°
- Slope grade percentage
- 50.00%
- Rafter per foot of run
- 1.1180
Slope grade percentage is vertical rise ÷ horizontal run × 100. A 6:12 pitch is a 50% grade; the slope angle is measured in degrees.
Rafter length
13' 5"
13.42 ft
- Total rise
- 6.00 ft · 6' 0"
- With the overhang
- 14.53 ft · 14' 6 7/16"
Buy 16 ft sticks
Roof material estimate
- Sloped area
- 1,118.0 sq ft
- Sheeting panels
- 39 sheets at 32 sq ft
- Approximate rafter lineal feet
- 838.5 LF
- Approximate rafter count
- 58
Rafter count is an area and spacing estimate. Check roof shape, valleys, hips and layout.
rafter = run × √(rise² + 12²) ÷ 12
How to use hip & valley · unequal pitchSteps and a worked example. Results update as you type.
Steps
- Confirm the roof intersection
Use this converter for roof planes meeting at a 90 degree corner with a common elevation datum. Hip and valley centerline geometry use the same calculation; joint details differ.
- Enter both roof pitches
Enter inches of rise per 12 inches of horizontal run for Roof 1 and Roof 2. Make pitches equal gives a 45 degree plan trajectory; unequal pitches give a bastard hip or valley.
- Choose a known dimension
Choose Roof 1 common run, Roof 2 common run, or total vertical rise, then enter its dimension in feet. Runs are level distances, not rafter lengths.
- Review the trajectory and cut references
Read both plan angles, the slope, common rafters, centerline length, plumb and seat lines, cheek lines and backing bevels. The diagrams identify each run axis. Allow separately for overhang, ridge thickness and trim; geometric angles are not universal saw settings. Verify the joint on scrap before cutting.
- Save or share your takeoff
Save calculation keeps this takeoff in this browser. Use Saved calculations → Restore to reopen it. Download PDF includes results, diagrams, steps and a worked example. Choose Email PDF to send that PDF as an attachment, or Copy full takeoff for text.
Worked example: A 6:12 roof meeting an 8:12 roof
See the measurements, calculation and expected results.
Enter these measurements
- Roof 1 pitch
- 6:12
- Roof 2 pitch
- 8:12
- Reference measurement
- Roof 1 common run
- Reference dimension
- 12 ft
- Roof intersection
- 90 degrees; same elevation datum
How the result is worked out
- Rise = 12 × 6 / 12 = 6 ft. Roof 2 run = 6 × 12 / 8 = 9 ft.
- Plan run = √(12² + 9²) = 15 ft. True centerline length = √(15² + 6²) ≈ 16.16 ft.
- Hip/valley pitch = (6 × 8) / √(6² + 8²) = 4.80:12. Slope = atan(4.80 / 12) ≈ 21.80 degrees.
- Plan trajectory = atan(9 / 12) ≈ 36.87 degrees from Roof 1 run; the other angle is 53.13 degrees.
Expected results
- Hip/valley pitch
- 4.80:12
- Centerline length
- 16.16 ft
- Stock allowance
- 18 ft before cut allowances
- Plan angles
- 36.87 / 53.13 degrees
- Plumb / seat lines
- 68.20 / 21.80 degrees
- Cheek lines, faces 1 / 2
- 34.85 / 51.07 degrees
- Backing bevels, Roof 1 / 2
- 15.56 / 26.34 degrees
Unequal pitches produce a bastard valley. Angles are geometric layout references, not universal saw dial settings. Centerline lengths exclude overhang, ridge thickness, offsets and trim. Confirm the joint and test a scrap before cutting.
Loading replaces this calculator’s current entries and list or schedule. Save your current takeoff first if you want to keep it.
Your intersecting roofs
Hip & Valley Pitch Converter · 90° intersection
Use a common elevation datum. Enter each pitch as inches of rise per 12 inches of level run.
Enter a positive dimension in feet, including fractions. Runs are horizontal.
Unequal / bastard hip / valley
- Roof 1 / Roof 2 slope
- 26.57° / 33.69°
- Slope angle
- 21.80°
- Grade
- 40.00%
- Plan trajectory from Roof 1 / Roof 2 runs
- 36.87° / 53.13°
- Diagonal square equivalent
- 6.79 in rise / 16.97 in run
Length takeoff
- Roof 1 common run
- 12.00 ft
- Roof 2 common run
- 9.00 ft
- Vertical rise
- 6.00 ft
- Horizontal hip/valley projection
- 15.00 ft
- Hip/valley centerline
- 16.16 ft · 16' 1 7/8"
- Common rafter 1
- 13.42 ft
- Common rafter 2
- 10.82 ft
- Stock before cut allowances
- 18 ft
Cut & bevel layout references
- Plumb line to rafter edge
- 68.20°
- Seat line to rafter edge
- 21.80°
- Cheek line, Roof 1 face
- 34.85°
- Cheek line, Roof 2 face
- 51.07°
- Backing bevel, Roof 1
- 15.56°
- Backing bevel, Roof 2
- 26.34°
- Square layout, rise / body
- 4.80 in / 12 in
Cheek angles describe side-cut lines on the top face. Backing bevels are measured in a section perpendicular to the hip/valley centerline from its unbacked top. Hip backing and valley trough cuts have opposite directions. These are geometric references; saw dial settings depend on the joint and the face being cut.
Lengths exclude overhang, ridge thickness, plate offsets and trim. Confirm the framing detail and test a scrap before cutting.
How to use concrete converterSteps and a worked example. Results update as you type.
Steps
- Choose and name the pour
Select Slab by area, Slab by size, Footing, wall or curb, or Round pier. Give the pour a name for your schedule.
- Enter dimensions and quantity
Follow the feet and inch labels beside each field. For round piers, enter diameter, in-ground depth and any above-ground reveal; both depths contribute to the poured height.
- Choose waste and optional pricing
Set the waste allowance for your forms or trenches. Enter your price per cubic yard if you want an estimated cost.
- Review one pour or a whole job
Read cubic yards, truck loads and bag counts. Use Add this pour to the schedule for each pour. When the schedule has entries, its total includes only those added pours. Pier details also estimate full-length tube forms.
- Save or share your takeoff
Save calculation keeps this takeoff in this browser. Use Saved calculations → Restore to reopen it. Download PDF includes results, diagrams, steps and a worked example. Choose Email PDF to send that PDF as an attachment, or Copy full takeoff for text.
Worked example: A 20 × 12 ft patio slab
See the measurements, calculation and expected results.
Enter these measurements
- Name this pour
- Example: patio slab
- What you are pouring
- Slab by size
- Length
- 20 ft
- Width
- 12 ft
- Thickness
- 4 in
- How many
- 1
- Waste allowance
- 10%
- Your price per yard
- Leave blank
How the result is worked out
- Convert the thickness to feet: 4 ÷ 12 = 1/3 ft. Volume is 20 × 12 × 1/3 = 80 cu ft.
- Convert to cubic yards: 80 ÷ 27 ≈ 2.96 yd³ before waste.
- Add 10% waste: (80 × 1.10) ÷ 27 ≈ 3.26 yd³ to order.
Expected results
- Net, no waste
- 2.96 yd³
- With 10% waste
- 3.26 yd³
- Cubic feet with waste
- 88.0 cu ft
- Alternative: 80 lb bags
- 147 bags
Ready-mix cubic yards and bag counts are alternative ways to supply the same pour. This is a single slab; add it to the pour schedule before combining it with footings or piers.
Loading replaces this calculator’s current entries and list or schedule. Save your current takeoff first if you want to keep it.
Your numbers
Slabs, footings, walls, curbs, round piers and a whole-job pour schedule
For example “garage slab”, “curb” or “8 inch retaining wall”.
What you are pouring
5% for smooth forms, 15% for rough dug trenches.
Optional. Ready-mix, or pour-and-place (mud, steel, forms and labour) for the whole job.
Pour schedule
Stack slabs, footings and round piers into one order.
Nothing in the schedule yet, so the answer is the single pour above.
Cubic yards
With 10% waste
13.58 yd³
- Net, no waste
- 12.35 yd³
- Cubic feet
- 366.7 cu ft
- Ready-mix trucks (about 9 yd³)
- 1.5 · 2 loads
Or in bags
- 61280 lb bags
- 81560 lb bags
- 97850 lb bags
slab yd³ = sq ft × thickness in inches ÷ 324
How to use board foot converterSteps and a worked example. Results update as you type.
Steps
- Enter the lumber size
Type thickness and width in inches, and length in feet. Use nominal or actual dimensions according to how your supplier bills the lumber.
- Set the quantity and price
Enter the number of pieces. For an optional cost estimate, choose per BF or per MBF (1,000 board feet), then enter the matching price.
- Build your cut list
Use Add to cut list for each size in the order. Change the dimensions and quantity before adding the next size.
- Review the measurements
Check board feet per piece, lineal feet and cubic feet against the lumber diagram. Review the cut list total for the whole order.
- Save or share your takeoff
Save calculation keeps this takeoff in this browser. Use Saved calculations → Restore to reopen it. Download PDF includes results, diagrams, steps and a worked example. Choose Email PDF to send that PDF as an attachment, or Copy full takeoff for text.
Worked example: Ten boards at their actual dimensions
See the measurements, calculation and expected results.
Enter these measurements
- Thickness
- Type 1 1/2 in
- Width
- Type 5 1/2 in
- Length
- 8 ft
- Pieces
- 10
- Your price
- Leave blank
How the result is worked out
- The fraction entries become 1.5 and 5.5 inches. One board is (1.5 × 5.5 × 8) ÷ 12 = 5.5 BF.
- Multiply by 10 pieces: 5.5 × 10 = 55 BF.
- Lineal feet measure length only: 8 × 10 = 80 LF. Cubic feet are 55 ÷ 12 ≈ 4.58 cu ft.
Expected results
- Per piece
- 5.50 BF
- Total board feet
- 55.00 BF
- Lineal feet
- 80.00 LF
- Cubic feet
- 4.58 cu ft
This example uses actual surfaced dimensions. If your supplier bills nominal dimensions, enter those instead. Add each size once to the cut list to build the order total.
Loading replaces this calculator’s current entries and list or schedule. Save your current takeoff first if you want to keep it.
Your numbers
Hardwood, softwood and timbers
= 2.000"
= 6.000"
Optional. Per board foot, or per thousand board feet (MBF).
Cut list
Add each size to total a whole lumber order.
Nothing on the cut list yet.
Board feet
1 piece
10.00 BF
- Board feet per lineal foot
- 1.0000
- Per piece
- 10.00 BF
- Lineal feet
- 10.00 LF
- Cubic feet
- 0.83 cu ft
BF = thickness" × width" × length' ÷ 12 × pieces
How to use stair framingSteps and a worked example. Results update as you type.
Steps
- Measure the finished rise
Enter finished floor-to-floor height in feet plus inches. Include the finished floor surfaces in your measurement.
- Set the tread run and stair width
Enter the finished horizontal run of each tread and the stair width in inches.
- Describe the floor and landing
Enter the floor framing depth and tread thickness. Choose Yes if the upper landing acts as the final tread; otherwise choose No.
- Review the stair layout
Check risers, treads, stringer length and stock, bottom riser cut, headroom and the planning opening. Confirm field measurements, local requirements and stringer details before cutting.
- Save or share your takeoff
Save calculation keeps this takeoff in this browser. Use Saved calculations → Restore to reopen it. Download PDF includes results, diagrams, steps and a worked example. Choose Email PDF to send that PDF as an attachment, or Copy full takeoff for text.
Worked example: A stair between floors 9 ft apart
See the measurements, calculation and expected results.
Enter these measurements
- Total rise, feet
- 9 ft
- Plus inches
- 0 in
- Tread run
- 10 in
- Stair width
- 36 in
- Floor framing depth
- 12 in
- Tread thickness
- Type 1 1/8 in
- Upper landing acts as final tread
- Yes
How the result is worked out
- Convert the finished rise: 9 × 12 = 108 in. Divide by the tool's 7.75 in planning riser limit and round up: 14 risers.
- Equal riser height is 108 ÷ 14 ≈ 7.714 in. With the upper landing as the final tread, there are 13 treads.
- Horizontal run is 13 × 10 = 130 in (10' 10"). The bottom riser cut subtracts the 1 1/8 in tread thickness: 6.589 in.
Expected results
- Equal risers
- 14 at 7.714 in
- Treads / total run
- 13 / 10' 10"
- Stringer diagonal / stock
- 14' 1" / 16 ft stock
- Planning opening
- 9' 11 1/4"
- Headroom under framing
- Tread 2: 80.6 in clear
The green dashed dimension shows clearance beneath the floor framing. The opening is a planning estimate; verify finished heights, local requirements, landing details and stringer strength before cutting.
Loading replaces this calculator’s current entries and list or schedule. Save your current takeoff first if you want to keep it.
Your numbers
A first pass for straight stair framing
Measure finished floor to finished floor. Confirm the field dimensions and applicable code before cutting.
Finished horizontal run per tread.
Used for a rough opening estimate.
Subtracted from the bottom riser cut.
Upper landing acts as the final tread
The upper floor is the final step: treads = risers minus one.
Stair layout
14 equal risers
7.714 in
- Treads
- 13
- Total run
- 10' 10"
- Stair angle
- 39.7°
- Stringer diagonal
- 14' 1"
- Suggested stock
- 16'
- Estimated stringers
- 4
- Bottom riser cut
- 6.589"
- Rough opening for 80" headroom
- 9' 11 1/4"
- Last tread under floor framing
- Tread 2 / 80.6 in clear
- Rise + tread run
- 17.71 in
- Step pitch
- 9.3:12
Basic planning geometry fits the entered dimensions. Check local stair rules, stringer strength, headroom and landing details.
riser height = finished rise ÷ risers; stringer = √(rise² + run²)
Saved calculations
Saved in this browser. Restore a job sheet, download its PDF or email a copy.
Nothing saved yet. Use Save calculation beside any result.
What the numbers assume
- Coverage divides by the stack height you give, the visible face once installed, not the board's nominal width. Piece counts round up and assume no end joints are saved.
- Rafter length is measured along the slope from the plate to the ridge line, before any ridge board deduction or plumb cut. Sheathing counts use the flat roof area you enter, adjusted for pitch and your waste allowance; check panel layout and openings on the plans.
- Hip and valley geometry assumes a 90 degree intersection and a common elevation datum. Centerline lengths exclude overhang, ridge and plate offsets, thickness and trim. Cut angles describe layout geometry; verify the joint before cutting.
- Concrete is neat volume plus the waste you choose. A truck is taken as about 9 cubic yards; ask your supplier for theirs. Bag counts use 0.60, 0.45 and 0.375 cubic feet per 80, 60 and 50 lb bag.
- Board feet use the dimensions you type. For surfaced lumber, type the actual size (1 1/2 × 5 1/2) rather than the nominal (2 × 6) if that is how you are charged.
- Stair dimensions are for early planning. Confirm finished floor heights, headroom, landings, stringer strength and the local requirements before cutting.
- Saved takeoffs stay in this browser. Download or email the PDF to keep or share a copy.
- Costs appear only when you type your own price. This page prices nothing.
For log and timber pricing and your volume discount, give us a call: (530) 899-0680