Who's Behind This Site
MeasureIt is built and maintained by Pete M, a homeowner and business owner in Tacoma, Washington. I've spent years working on my own home — pouring concrete for fence posts, estimating gravel for a driveway, figuring out how many bags of mulch actually cover a garden bed, and learning the hard way that "eyeballing it" at the lumberyard costs real money.
Every calculator on this site started with a real project and a real question: how much do I actually need? I built MeasureIt because the answer shouldn't require a contractor, a spreadsheet, or a trip to three different websites. Enter your numbers. Get the answer. Go buy the right amount.
Why You Should Trust These Numbers
I don't ask you to take my word for it. Every formula on this site is sourced from published industry data — not guesswork, not AI-generated approximations, not "about this much." Here's where the numbers come from:
- Concrete bag yields — QUIKRETE published product specifications. 80 lb bag = 0.60 cu ft, 60 lb bag = 0.45 cu ft. These are the manufacturer's tested yields, not theoretical calculations.
- Gravel and rock densities — Standard civil engineering material density references. Each of the eight rock types in our calculator uses a density specific to that material, because lava rock at 55 lb/cu ft is nothing like river rock at 100 lb/cu ft.
- Paint coverage — Based on the conservative end of the range published by major manufacturers (Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore, Behr): 350 sq ft per gallon on smooth surfaces. We use the conservative figure so you don't run short.
- Shingle coverage — Manufacturer data from GAF, CertainTeed, and Owens Corning. 3 bundles per square for standard architectural shingles.
- Roof pitch multipliers — Derived from the Pythagorean theorem: √(1 + (rise/12)²). This is the same formula every roofing contractor uses.
- Deck stair dimensions — International Residential Code (IRC) Section R311.7. Maximum 7¾-inch riser, minimum 10-inch tread.
- Paver base depths — Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI) standards. 6 inches compacted base for pedestrian, 8–12 inches for vehicular.
- Playground mulch depths — CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) and ASTM F1292 fall-height standards.
- Insulation R-values — U.S. Department of Energy recommended minimums by climate zone.
- Brick coverage — Industry standard: 6.86 standard modular bricks per square foot with 3/8-inch mortar joints. Mortar consumption: approximately 142 bricks per 70 lb bag of Type S mortar.
Where I've made a judgment call — rounding up, using a lower coverage figure, recommending a 10% waste factor — I say so on the calculator page. The goal is simple: you should never run short on the job because of a number you got here.
How the Calculators Are Built
Every calculator on MeasureIt runs entirely in your browser. There's no server processing, no data sent anywhere, no account required. The JavaScript does the math on your device using the formulas and reference data described above. I test each calculator against hand calculations before publishing, and I verify the results against real-world material orders.
The site itself is built on static HTML — no WordPress, no framework overhead, no third-party dependencies that slow things down. Pages load fast because there's nothing to load except the calculator and the content. That's intentional.
What This Site Is Not
MeasureIt is not a substitute for professional advice. Building codes, structural requirements, soil conditions, and local regulations vary by jurisdiction. Any project that requires a permit — foundations, retaining walls over 4 feet, load-bearing modifications, major electrical or plumbing work — should involve a licensed professional. These calculators estimate material quantities. They do not provide engineering, architectural, or construction advice.
No Sign-Up. No Nonsense.
Every calculator is free. No accounts. No paywalls. No "enter your email to see your results." I use Google Analytics to understand which tools are most useful, but I don't collect personal information and I don't sell data. When advertising appears on this site, it will be around the content — never inside the calculator flow. The tool experience is sacred.
Get in Touch
Found a formula error? Have a suggestion for a new calculator? Just want to say the site helped? I'd like to hear from you.
Email: hello@measureit.net
Last reviewed: April 12, 2026