BuildCalc is a free collection of home improvement calculators, each paired with a practical guide. It helps homeowners answer the questions that come before every project: how much paint, how many tiles, how many bags of mulch, what size air conditioner. Enter your measurements, get a clear number in US units, and see exactly how that number was worked out.
Who is behind BuildCalc
BuildCalc is an independent project by DB Digital Hub, a small web development studio. We are not owned by a store, a manufacturer or a contractor, and no company pays to appear in our calculators or guides.
BuildCalc was founded by Diego Bustamante, a web developer with more than eight years of experience building websites, online stores and web platforms.
What you will find here
- Calculators for paint and walls, floors and tile, yard and garden, concrete and masonry, decks, fences and stairs, and roofing and cooling.
- A guide with every calculator that explains how to measure, shows the formula with a worked example, gives reference tables, and lists common mistakes to avoid.
- Sources at the end of each guide, so you can check the numbers yourself.
How our calculators are built
Each calculator starts with the math behind the job, such as area, volume, slope or spacing. We then add the practical factors that change what you actually buy, taken from real references:
- Manufacturer specifications for coverage rates, bag yields and standard product sizes.
- Model building codes, such as the International Residential Code, for limits like stair riser height and tread depth.
- Industry and government references, such as ENERGY STAR for room air conditioner sizing, university extension services, and trade associations.
Before a calculator goes live, we cross-check its formula against these references and test it with the worked example in its guide, so the example on the page always matches what the calculator returns. Where products vary, we show the assumption the calculator uses (for example, a waste allowance or bundles per square) and let you change it.
Editorial standards
- Sourced facts. Specifications, code limits and coverage figures come from sources we cite. When a number varies by product, we say so and tell you to check the label.
- No invented experience. We do not publish made-up product tests, testimonials or reviews.
- No stale prices. Material prices change often and vary by region, so we avoid quoting them.
- Clear limits. For structural and safety topics, we give estimates and point you to your local building department and qualified professionals.
- Independence. Ads on the site are served by Google and kept separate from our content. Advertisers have no say in what we write or how our calculators work.
Corrections and updates
If you spot an error in a guide or a calculator result that looks wrong, please tell us through our contact page. Include the page and the numbers you entered if you can. We review every report, check it against our sources, and fix confirmed errors. When a correction changes a formula or a recommendation, we update the guide and its worked example together. We also review guides when codes or manufacturer specifications change.
How the site is funded
BuildCalc is free to use and is supported by advertising. You can read how ads and cookies work on this site in our Privacy Policy, and the limits of our estimates in our Disclaimer.
Get in touch
Have a calculator you would like us to build, or a question about one of ours? Send us a message.