Garden Edging Calculator

1. Garden layout

Choose a shape and enter one garden bed. Openings reduce the required edging. Multiple beds are multiplied automatically.

Measurement system

Garden shape

Identical garden beds

Rectangle length (m)

Rectangle width (m)

Square side (m)

Circle radius (m)

Semicircle radius (m)

Oval major axis (m)

Oval minor axis (m)

Triangle side A (m)

Triangle side B (m)

Triangle side C (m)

L-shape side A (m)

L-shape side B (m)

L-shape side C (m)

L-shape side D (m)

L-shape side E (m)

L-shape side F (m)

Measured perimeter (m)

Edging coverage

Coverage percentage

Selected-side length (m)

Number of openings

Average opening width (m)

Extra excluded length (m)

Use this for walls, fences, paths, or uneven gaps.

Curved section adjustment (%)

Waste allowance (%)

2. Product and purchase settings

Enter manufacturer sizes and current supplier prices. Pack rounding prevents under-ordering. Overlap reduces each unit’s usable coverage.

Edging material

Purchase format

Piece, roll, or block length (m)

Overlap per joint (m)

Joint gap (m)

Units per pack

Minimum order packs

Price basis

Product price (£)

Use mixed edging materials by zone

Mixed zones override the main purchase settings. Zone lengths must cover the installed length.

3. Installation materials

Estimate stakes, connectors, excavation, base layers, and fixings. Enter small dimensions using centimetres or inches. Adjust rates for your selected product.

Stake spacing (m)

Corner count

Custom corners per bed

End caps per bed

Fixings per stake

Trench width (cm)

Trench depth (cm)

Bedding sand depth (cm)

Gravel base depth (cm)

Landscape fabric width (cm)

Mortar rate (kg/m)

Adhesive units per m

4. Cost settings

Add labour, delivery, equipment, tax, and discounts. Currency values use pounds sterling. No exchange conversion is applied.

Labour rate (£ per m)

Delivery cost (£)

Equipment cost (£)

Tax (%)

Discount (%)

Auto-download summary after five seconds

Live layout preview

Live estimate

Perimeter: 0 m

Net length per bed: 0 m

Estimated purchase length: 0 m

Formula used

Each shape uses its standard perimeter formula. Openings are removed before curve and waste adjustments. Purchase units are always rounded upward.

Rectangle: P = 2 × (L + W)

Circle: P = 2 × π × r

Semicircle: P = πr + 2r

Oval: P ≈ π[3(a+b) − √((3a+b)(a+3b))]

Adjusted length = (covered perimeter − openings) × (1 + curve %)

Purchase length = installed length × (1 + waste %)

Units = ceil[(purchase length − overlap) ÷ (unit length + gap − overlap)]

Project total = subtotal − discount + tax

How to use this calculator

Measure the garden border along its intended centreline. Choose the closest shape or enter a custom perimeter. Exclude gates, walls, paths, and unedged sections carefully.

Enter product sizes exactly as the supplier lists them. Add overlap for joined rolls or metal sections. Add joint gaps for bricks, blocks, or pavers.

Select a realistic waste allowance for cuts and curves. Enter stake spacing and base material dimensions next. Compare the estimate with manufacturer installation instructions before purchasing.

Example data

Example	Shape	Dimensions	Material	Waste	Typical use
Small flower bed	Rectangle	6 m × 3 m	Flexible roll	5%	Straight lawn border
Tree ring	Circle	1.5 m radius	Metal edging	10%	Curved planting area
Raised border	L-shaped	Six measured sides	Timber boards	10%	Corner garden bed
Decorative path	Custom	28 ft perimeter	Brick edging	15%	Cut-heavy pattern

Frequently asked questions

How much waste should I add?

Use five percent for simple straight installations. Use ten percent for curves or timber cuts. Complex brick patterns may need fifteen percent waste.

Should openings be subtracted?

Yes, subtract every section receiving no edging. Common examples include gates, walls, and paved entrances. Measure each excluded section before entering its width.

Why does overlap reduce usable coverage?

Joined products share length at each connection. That shared section cannot cover new border length. Enter the manufacturer’s required overlap for safer estimates.

How are stakes calculated?

Stakes are spaced across each separate garden bed. One additional stake closes each bed section. Curves may require closer spacing than straight runs.

Can I calculate several garden beds?

Yes, enter one bed’s dimensions first. Then enter the number of identical beds. The calculator multiplies edging and installation quantities automatically.

Can different materials be combined?

Yes, enable mixed material zones. Enter each zone’s installed length and product details. Zone lengths must match the total installed edging.

Does the calculator include labour?

Labour is calculated from installed edging length. Enter a local rate per metre or foot. Add delivery and equipment as separate project costs.

Are trench volumes exact?

Trench volumes assume consistent width and depth. Real ground conditions may increase excavation requirements. Add contingency for roots, stones, and uneven soil.

Which unit system should I use?

Use the system matching your tape and product labels. Avoid mixing metres with feet or centimetres with inches. Switch systems before entering all project dimensions.

Why are purchase units rounded upward?

Suppliers sell complete pieces, rolls, blocks, or packs. Partial purchase units are normally unavailable. Upward rounding helps prevent material shortages during installation.

Planning note

This estimate supports early garden project planning. Supplier coverage and installation methods can differ. Confirm final quantities using product documentation before ordering materials.