Know what your project needs, before you buy a thing
HomeCalcWise gives you contractor style estimates for paint, concrete, tile and other everyday home projects. Every calculator is free, shows its formula, and walks you through a real example, so the number you get is a number you can trust and check.
Popular Calculators
The estimators homeowners open first, from first coat to final board.
Work out exactly how many gallons of paint and primer you need for any room, with coats, doors, windows and waste covered.
Open calculator Popular Concrete CalculatorCalculate cubic yards for a slab, footing or steps, plus how many 40 lb, 60 lb and 80 lb bags you need if you mix it yourself.
Open calculator Popular Tile CalculatorFind how many tiles and boxes you need for a floor or wall, with grout gaps, tile size and a sensible waste allowance built in.
Open calculator Popular Flooring CalculatorEstimate laminate, vinyl and hardwood flooring including boxes and underlayment allowance.
Open calculator Popular Roofing CalculatorEstimate roof squares, shingle bundles and underlayment from roof size and pitch.
Open calculator Popular Deck CalculatorEstimate deck boards, fasteners and framing lumber for a simple rectangular deck.
Open calculator PopularCalculators and Cost Guides
Pick your project below. Each page combines an instant calculator with a written guide that covers measuring, material choices, typical US costs and the mistakes that waste money. New calculators are added regularly as we work through the list.
Flooring & Tile
4 calculatorsFind how many tiles and boxes you need for a floor or wall, with grout gaps, tile size and a sensible waste allowance built in.
Open calculator Flooring CalculatorEstimate laminate, vinyl and hardwood flooring including boxes and underlayment allowance.
Open calculator Grout CalculatorEstimate bags of sanded and unsanded grout from tile size, gap width and area.
Open calculator Carpet CalculatorWork out linear feet, square yards and padding for a room from roll width, with seam and waste planning built in.
Open calculatorPainting
1 calculatorsConcrete & Masonry
4 calculatorsCalculate cubic yards for a slab, footing or steps, plus how many 40 lb, 60 lb and 80 lb bags you need if you mix it yourself.
Open calculator Brick CalculatorEstimate bricks and mortar bags for a wall from wall size and brick size.
Open calculator Stair CalculatorWork out riser height, tread run, stringer length and step count for a straight stair run.
Open calculator Sand CalculatorWork out cubic yards, tons and bags of sand for paver bases, sandboxes, pools and masonry work.
Open calculatorRoofing
1 calculatorsOutdoor
8 calculatorsCalculate cubic yards and bags of mulch from bed area and depth.
Open calculator Deck CalculatorEstimate deck boards, fasteners and framing lumber for a simple rectangular deck.
Open calculator Fence CalculatorEstimate fence posts, panels or pickets and concrete bags from fence length and height.
Open calculator Gravel CalculatorWork out tons and cubic yards of gravel or crushed stone for driveways and paths.
Open calculator Paver Patio CalculatorEstimate pavers, gravel base, bedding sand and edging for a patio or walkway, from patio size and paver size.
Open calculator Topsoil CalculatorCalculate cubic yards, bags and weight of topsoil for garden beds, lawns and raised beds from area and depth.
Open calculator Asphalt CalculatorEstimate hot mix asphalt tonnage and installed cost for a driveway or patch from area and thickness.
Open calculator Retaining Wall CalculatorEstimate retaining wall blocks, cap blocks and base gravel for a segmental block wall from length and height.
Open calculatorWalls & Drywall
4 calculatorsWork out how many drywall sheets, screws, tape and joint compound a room needs.
Open calculator Wallpaper CalculatorEstimate rolls of wallpaper from room size, pattern repeat and openings.
Open calculator Insulation CalculatorEstimate batts, rolls and blown insulation bags for walls and attics.
Open calculator Stud Wall Framing CalculatorEstimate studs, plates and headers for a framed wall from length, height, spacing and openings.
Open calculatorCost Guides
Quantities are only half the question. These guides break down what each project actually costs in the US in 2026: materials, labor, the extras that catch people out, and an honest DIY versus hiring a pro comparison for every job.
Laminate and Vinyl Plank Flooring Cost Guide
What laminate and luxury vinyl plank flooring really cost per square foot in 2026, with material and labor breakdowns, DIY versus pro numbers and the extras that catch people out.
Read the guide RoofingRoof Replacement Cost Guide
Roof replacement cost per square and per square foot by material, with tear off, underlayment, labor and disposal broken out, plus the factors that move a quote up or down.
Read the guide ConcreteConcrete Driveway Cost Guide
Concrete driveway cost per square foot by region and finish, covering demolition, base, reinforcement, concrete and sealing, with DIY versus contractor comparisons.
Read the guide DrivewaysAsphalt Driveway Cost Guide
Asphalt driveway cost per square foot for new installs, overlays and sealcoating, with thickness guidance, maintenance costs and an honest asphalt versus concrete comparison.
Read the guide BathroomsBathroom Remodel Material Checklist
A room by room material checklist for a bathroom remodel: tile, backer board, waterproofing, fixtures, vanity, lighting and the small parts everyone forgets, with quantities and cost ranges.
Read the guide KitchensKitchen Backsplash Tile Guide
How to plan a kitchen backsplash: measuring the area, choosing tile and grout, layout patterns, outlet cuts, edge trim and a full material list with costs.
Read the guide FlooringHardwood Floor Refinishing Cost Guide
What it costs to refinish hardwood floors per square foot, screen and recoat versus full sanding, stain and finish choices, and when DIY rental makes sense.
Read the guide PaintingCeiling Paint and Texture Guide
Ceiling paint types, how much you need, texture options from smooth to knockdown, water stain fixes and the real cost of painting or retexturing a ceiling.
Read the guide InsulationAttic Insulation and Ventilation Guide
Target R values by climate, blown in versus batt costs, baffles and ventilation balance, air sealing order of operations and how to size the whole job.
Read the guide FencesPost Hole Concrete Guide
How much concrete each fence or deck post hole actually needs by hole size and bag size, when dry pouring works, frost depth rules and a full worked example.
Read the guideHow It Works
Measure your space
Grab a tape measure and note the length, width and height in feet and inches. Each calculator tells you exactly which measurements it needs.
Enter the numbers
Type them in and the result updates instantly. Adjust coats, thickness, tile size or waste until the plan matches how you actually want to do the job.
Check the breakdown, then buy with confidence
See the full breakdown: area, coverage, material quantities, packaging counts and a realistic cost range, with the waste allowance shown on its own line. Take the list to the store or use it to sanity check a contractor quote. If a quote is far from the estimate, you will know which questions to ask.
How We Keep These Estimates Honest
A calculator is only useful if its math is open. That is why every page on HomeCalcWise prints the formula it uses, works through a complete example with real numbers, and states the coverage rates it assumes, such as 350 square feet per gallon for paint. If a product you buy covers more or less, you can change the rate and watch the result update. There is no black box and no inflated quantity designed to sell you more material than you need.
Cost figures are given as ranges, because a gallon of paint in rural Ohio does not cost the same as a gallon in San Francisco, and prices move over time. Each guide dates its price range and describes where the figures come from, typically national home center pricing and published contractor cost surveys. Treat the range as a planning tool: good enough to set a budget and spot an unrealistic quote, not a substitute for a written local quote.
Plan the project before you spend on it
Pick a calculator, enter your measurements, and get a materials list you can check line by line. Free forever, no sign up, and the formula is always on the page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the HomeCalcWise calculators really free?
Yes. Every calculator on this site is free to use, with no sign up, no email gate and no limit on how many projects you estimate. We keep the site running with advertising, which is why you will never be asked to pay to see a result.
How accurate are these estimates?
Each calculator uses the same coverage rates and formulas that suppliers and experienced contractors use, and it shows the math so you can check it. Accuracy still depends on your measurements and the exact product you buy, so plan on the built in waste allowance and confirm final quantities with your supplier.
Should I order extra material beyond what the calculator says?
In most cases, yes, a little. Our calculators already add a sensible waste allowance for cuts, spills and mistakes, and the results page shows that allowance separately. If your space has lots of corners, angled cuts or a pattern that needs matching, raise the waste setting before you order.
Can I use these calculators for a whole house renovation?
You can estimate one room or one surface at a time and add the results together, which is exactly how contractors build a materials list. For large or structural work, use our numbers to plan and budget, then have a licensed contractor confirm quantities and code requirements on site.