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MaterialNest

DIY material calculators and project planning

Plan materials before you buy.

Enter your measured dimensions, review how each quantity was calculated, and combine useful estimates into one printable project list.

Choose a calculator Open Project Planner

No sign-up. US and metric units. Projects stay in this browser.

Measured layout

Straight railing · field sketch 01

Scale NTS
Dimensioned deck railing field sketchA twenty-foot straight railing divided into four equal five-foot spans by five posts, with a thirty-six-inch rail height and a maximum four-inch baluster gap noted.20 ft measured run5 ft5 ft5 ft5 ft36 in rail heightmax 4 in clear gapFIELD NOTE · VERIFY END CONDITIONS, OPENINGS, AND LOCAL REQUIREMENTS BEFORE ESTIMATING
Measured run
20 ft
Sections
4 × 5 ft
Post points
5

Start with your project

Choose what you're estimating

Select the job first, then the quantity you need. Every calculator starts with measurements you provide and keeps its assumptions beside the result.

Deck and railing

Plan baluster spacing, post positions, or a complete railing takeoff.

Fencing

Turn straight runs, corners, and gates into practical primary-material quantities.

Post-hole concrete

Use hole geometry, post displacement, bag yield, gravel, and waste.

Patio and pavers

Estimate a measured patio layout and its selected supporting materials.

Drainage

Estimate materials for an already-designed French drain trench.

Not sure which tool fits? The calculator directory compares inputs and outputs.

View all calculator details

Example takeoff

20 ft straight deck railing

Example result

10% waste

Example railing takeoff diagramA dimensioned twenty-foot straight railing divided into four five-foot spans, with five labelled posts and forty-eight balusters.20 ft measured run5 ft5 ft5 ft5 ftP1P2P3P4P5
Posts
5
Balusters
48
Rail pieces
6
Waste
10%

Planning estimate · verify site conditions before purchase

A result you can inspect

See how each quantity was calculated

The measured layout, formula notes, waste allowance, and purchase rounding stay beside the result. You can check the reasoning before adding an estimate to your project.

  • Measurements and units remain visible.
  • Waste and whole-package rounding are shown separately.
  • Saved estimates can be combined into one printable list.
Open Project Planner

Before you purchase

Measure first. Check the estimate.

A quick field sketch makes the calculator more useful, and visible assumptions make the result easier to verify.