How to Use the Blueprint Calculator

Upload Your Blueprint

Click the upload zone in the left sidebar or drag and drop a blueprint file directly onto it. Supported file types:

• PNG, JPG, GIF, WebP — any scan or photo of a construction plan
• PDF — the first page is automatically rendered at high resolution for tracing

DIY-friendly: You don't need professional blueprints! You can upload hand-drawn sketches or photos of your space. Just make sure the image is clear and includes a reference measurement (like a door width or known dimension) so you can set the scale accurately.

The plan stays entirely on your device. Nothing is uploaded to any server — all processing happens locally in your browser.

Tips for Best Results

• Use a straight-on scan rather than an angled photo — perspective distortion affects scale accuracy
• Ensure the title block (scale notation) is visible in the image, or include a reference measurement for hand-drawn sketches
• Higher resolution images give more precise tracing

Set the Blueprint Scale

Scale tells the calculator how distances on paper relate to real-world measurements. Getting this right is critical for accurate results.

Option A — Enter Scale Manually

Look for the scale in the title block, usually in the lower-right corner of the blueprint. Common residential scales:

• 1/8″ = 1’ — typical for site plans and floor plans
• 1/4″ = 1’ — common for detail drawings
• 1″ = 10’ — used for larger site plans

Enter the scale in the Blueprint Distance and Real-World Distance fields. Fractions are supported — type 1/8 and it converts automatically.

Option B — Calibrate from a Known Dimension

If you know the actual length of something on the plan (e.g. a wall marked as 20 ft), switch to "Calibrate from blueprint", click the Calibration button, then draw a line over that element and enter its real length. The scale is calculated for you automatically.

Trace the Area or Line

Two drawing tools are available in the sidebar:

• Polygon tool — click or tap to place points around a perimeter. Close the shape by clicking the first point, double-clicking, or pressing "Close Shape." Best for irregular outlines.
• Rectangle tool — click and drag to draw a rectangle. Best for simple square or rectangular sections.

You can trace multiple sections on the same blueprint. Each one is named and listed separately in the breakdown table — the calculator sums them all. This is ideal for multi-level decks, complex patios, or rooms with separate areas.

Zooming and Navigating

• Use the +/− zoom buttons in the lower-right corner of the canvas to zoom in on tight corners before placing points
• On mobile, two-finger pinch zooms and pans the blueprint
• Single finger tapping adds tracing points on mobile — the tool distinguishes between one-finger draw and two-finger zoom automatically

During Tracing

• A live "In progress" badge appears showing the running area as you trace
• Undo removes the last point if you misclick
• Clear All removes all traced areas so you can start over

Review Your Results

Area is calculated and displayed immediately after each shape is closed. The Results panel shows:

• Net Area — combined square footage of all traced sections
• Area Breakdown — individual area per named section

Each calculator then applies tool-specific calculations to the measured area. Examples:

• Deck Material: board count, linear feet, fastener count, joist estimate
• Concrete Slab: cubic yards based on thickness, 60-lb and 80-lb bag counts
• Tile: tile count based on tile dimensions
• Drywall: sheet count based on sheet size (4×8, 4×10, 4×12)
• Paint: gallons based on coverage rate and number of coats
• Gravel / Mulch: cubic yards based on depth, plus truck load estimate
• Paver: paver count based on paver size and joint spacing
• Fence: linear footage, post count, panel count

Waste / Overage Factor

Every calculator includes an adjustable waste factor (0–50%). This adds material overage to account for cuts, damaged pieces, and ordering margins. Typical values:

• Decking boards: 10–15% (add 15–20% for diagonal layouts)
• Tile: 10% for straight layouts, 15–20% for diagonal or complex patterns
• Drywall: 8–12% for standard rooms, 15–20% for complex shapes
• Concrete / Gravel: 10% standard; up to 15% for complex forms
• Pavers: 5–10% straight, 10–15% diagonal or herringbone

Export, Print, or Share Your Estimate New

Once your results are ready, three options appear at the bottom of the results panel:

Copy Report

Copies a plain-text summary of the estimate to your clipboard — ready to paste into an email, text message, or spreadsheet. Includes area breakdown, material outputs, and waste factor.

Print

Opens a print-ready report in a new browser tab. The report includes a screenshot of the annotated blueprint with traced areas highlighted, the area breakdown table, and material summary. Print to paper or save as PDF from your browser.

Share Estimate Link New

Generates a shareable URL that encodes your estimate results directly in the link — no account, no server, no database required. The estimate data is encoded into the URL itself.

When you click Share, a link appears in the results panel. Copy it and send it to a client, colleague, or subcontractor. Anyone with the link can view the estimate in their browser — no app or account needed.

The shared estimate shows:

• Project name and calculator type
• Net area, waste percentage, and adjusted area
• All material outputs (boards, yards, sheets, gallons, etc.)
• Notes if provided
• Timestamp of when it was created

Using on iPhone, iPad, or Android

All calculators are fully mobile-optimized and tested on iOS and Android. Everything works the same as desktop — just with touch controls instead of mouse clicks.

Touch Controls

• Single tap — place a tracing point (polygon mode)
• Tap near first point — close the polygon (22px tap radius)
• Two-finger pinch — zoom in or out on the blueprint
• Two-finger drag — pan the blueprint while zoomed in
• Tapping the + or − zoom buttons also works with one finger

Uploading on Mobile

• Tap the upload zone to choose a file from your photo library, files app, or camera roll
• PDF blueprints can be uploaded directly from the Files app on iOS
• On Android, any file manager works — navigate to the saved PDF or image

Adding to Your Home Screen

You can install any calculator as a Progressive Web App (PWA) for quick access:

• iPhone / iPad: Tap Share → "Add to Home Screen" in Safari
• Android: Tap the browser menu → "Add to Home Screen" or "Install App"