Material cost Calculator: measuring notes and method
Match quantity to the price unit
If the supplier prices per pack, use packs; if per cubic metre, use cubic metres. A price per tonne cannot be multiplied directly by kilograms without conversion.
Keep contingency visible
If the quantity already includes material waste, do not add the same waste again as a cost contingency. Record what each allowance is intended to cover.
Formula
Base cost = quantity × unit price. Total = base cost × (1 + contingency ÷ 100).
Worked example
Illustrative values match Reset example and stay fixed when you edit the calculator.
Starting-value worked example
- Material quantity
- 100
- Price per unit
- 5 currency units
- Contingency
- 10 %
Total including contingency: 550 currency units
Follow the calculation
- Base cost = 100 × 5 = 500 currency units.
- Contingency = 500 × 10 ÷ 100. Add this to base cost.
Reviewed 19 October 2026. How calculations are checked · Report a correction