As a construction manager, your primary focus may not be on solving math problems, but from time to time you will need a reliable calculator that can function for your specific needs.
The best choice would be simple, portable, and durable, because construction isn’t just in the office.
Construction calculators are a little different from regular calculators in that they were designed specifically to solve construction-related math problems.
In A Hurry? Here Are Our Top Picks...
With the right calculator, you’ll be able to calculate simple measurements, get the correct estimate of materials, and calculate taxation. Before you buy any calculator, you should understand your needs.
Given the tons of products available online today, this guide offers our honest recommendations for the best construction calculators out there.
Our Top Picks for the Best Construction Calculator
1. Vivtor C6000 Advanced Construction Calculator with Protective Case
Victor C6000 Advanced Construction Calculator with Protective Case Displays in Fractional or Dimensional Forms Perfect for Carpenters, Renovators,Builders, Contractors, Estimators
- PERFECT FOR ON-SITE USE: Built-in diagonal, rafter and roofing equations are perfect when solving slope, rafter, and roof dimensions, irregular pitch, irregular jacks, and rake-wall.
- LOADED WITH USEFUL FUNCTIONS: Stairway construction functions such as risers, treads, stringer, incline angle, and stairwell openings. Including circular calculations such as arc length, area, circumference, angle, column and cone dimensions, and more.
- EASILY WORK IN AND CONVERT BETWEEN UNITS: Calculate equations using US Imperial Units such as yards, feet, inches, fractions, pounds, or by using the Metric System. Also includes area, volume, perimeter, and weight functions.
- AVOID MATERIAL WASTE: The C6000 accurately estimates building materials such as blocks, drywall, footing, concrete, and margin of waste to ensure none of these costly materials are wasted.
- HEAVY-DUTY & RELIABLE: Each unit includes a shock-resistant and spill-proof hard-cover protective case, an English and Spanish pocket reference guide, a full instruction manual with examples available as a PDF online, and a series of instructional videos. Batteries included.
This is a must have for every professional, because time-consuming estimates like roofing equations, stair and framing calculations, and volume estimations have all become easier with this construction calculator from Vivtor. All you need to do is enter the variables correctly and you’ll get your direct answer.
Since it is handheld, it is excellent for site work. The protective casing houses the unit and protects it from work hazards, while the case also allows a firm grip, so you can hold onto it without it slipping off. Plus, the protective case is shockproof and slip resistant.
If you think the case will make it look less compact, you will be pleased to know that the case can be folded to the back of the calculator to preserve its compact look while using it.
It is packed with several useful functions to help on the site work. You also get to access various accurate metric conversions. If it is your first time using a construction calculator, you will find the user’s guide very beneficial.
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Calculated Industries 4065 Construction Master Pro Advanced Construction Math Feet-inch-Fraction Calculator for Contractors, Estimators, Builders, Framers, Remodelers, Renovators and Carpenters
- SOLVE ALL YOUR DIMENSIONAL MATH quickly and accurately with the award-winning CM Pro construction calculator’s powerful built-in solutions for completing layouts, plans, bids, estimates and more, directly in the building units you prefer
- LETS YOU EFFORTLESSLY WORK IN AND CONVERT between all common building dimension formats: feet-inch-fractions, decimal feet-inches, yards and metric -- including area and volume. Plus weight-per-volume and D:M:S to decimal degree conversions too
- TIME-SAVING BUILT-IN FUNCTIONS for right angles give you instant solutions for square-ups, rafters (hip, valley, jacks), rake-walls, slopes, angles and more. Plus complete stair layout, advanced solutions for arcs, arches, circles, columns and more
- PREVENTS COSTLY MATERIAL WASTE with built-in solutions for roofing, drywall, studs, blocks, concrete footings and board-feet lumber estimating. Plus compound miter functions help you avoid errors when working with crown molding and other pricey millwork
When you are on the site, you need tools that’ll make your job easier and faster. That’s why this construction calculator is an ideal choice for you because, in a matter of seconds, you can get accurate answers to measurements and metric conversions. Some of its functions include calculations for risers, treads, incline angles, and stringer length.
It is ergonomic and convenient to hold with one hand while on site. In case you need to briefly check the answers to a previously entered set of variables, you can access the memory function to see what you’re looking for. In fact, it has three additional memory storage locations.
Another feature, the auto shut-off function automatically turns the calculator off after more than ten minutes of inactivity. It also features an eleven-digit display that measures 2.5 inches by 0.6 inches. The calculator comes with a 3 volt battery that is long lasting. It is durable, fast, efficient, and saves a lot of useful time.
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This is another recommended construction calculator from Calculated Industries with easy-to-use functions for craftsmen, technicians, carpenters, and other professionals. It is handheld and great for site work. Industry measurements are clearly labeled on the buttons for more flexible and easy use.
It has adequate memory storage for you to either review past estimates or to briefly check on a variable previously entered. No matter what your job site requirement is, either linear, area, or volume measurement, don’t go to the site without this portable and lightweight construction calculator. It can also solve simple arithmetic problems involving circle area, circumferences, arcs, and plenty more.
Because of its versatility, it remains one of the products in this category that offers more value than money spent. Speaking of money spent -- this option is cheap and affordable. The battery is also worth mentioning, because some customers have been using it for years and have never had to replace the batteries.
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With this next calculator, you get to solve more with fewer button punches. You can carry out all of your site calculations including square ups, angles, slopes, stair layouts, and so on. It can convert between common dimensions like yards to meters, kilograms to pounds, etc. You will get the exact estimate of materials, preventing any wasted building materials.
It comes with a large LCD display that makes the values easily readable by owners, even elderly professionals who may naturally have eye trouble. To help beginners and others who are new to these kinds of calculators, there is a user’s guide that explains the functions of each button.
Engineers and architects will also find this calculator useful in discovering trigonometric functions such as sine, cosine, tangent, arcsine, arccosine, and arctangent calculations. Don’t miss the opportunity to buy the small but mighty construction calculator.
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The last option on our list of construction calculators is a product that can fulfill almost all the same functions as the calculators listed so far. So the natural question arises: is there anything special about this option?
Yes! It was designed for rugged site use with a shockproof protective case. This case also protects the calculator from any accidental liquid spills. This is the kind of durable option that you’ll want if you don’t like replacing broken calculators regularly.
It is also perfect for calculating linear feet and weight for different projects. It is also equipped to carry out advanced calculations involving circles, columns, cones, radius, arcs, and so on. Just like the others, it comes with a user’s manual to help define the functions of each button for beginners.
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Who Needs a Construction Calculator?
Certain professionals need a construction calculator in their office or on site. It will come in handy when you need to do simple calculations. It has been of great assistance to contractors, architects, and surveyors.
Other professionals like carpenters, plumbers, and metal workers have also reported on a large scale how they have at one point turned to construction calculators. Let’s talk about three sets of people who make use of this type of calculator:
Property Estimators: Looking at what estimators or surveyors do, you will agree that they need a good construction calculator. Sometimes they may need to come up with cost estimates and quantity of materials from only architectural drawings. The easiest way to determine the dimensions, which are sometimes indicated on the architectural drawings, is through a good construction calculator.
These types of calculators can help with diagonal bracing, facial boards, sloped roofs, staircase, and so on. Construction calculators can also help with other complex calculations like volumetric quantities or the number of fillings that will level a surface. These are values that would normally take time to arrive at, but with the help of construction calculations, they can be calculated faster.
Architects: Architects will do their best to draw out a plan for an intended structure. It is also their responsibility to oversee that the specifications on the site are the same as the specifications on the plan. To do this, a construction calculator can help confirm if values are correct.
During the actual building of a structure, there are bound to be mathematical problems that arise. These problems can also come up during the redesigning of old structures too. In all of these situations, the amount of time needed for an architect to come up with the real values in each instance can be reduced with the help of a good construction calculator.
Building Contractors: These are traders and builders who specialize in site work like laying out measurements, fixing and cutting materials, and buying and selling building materials. Without a construction calculator, they could do their job, but it might take a longer time. With this tool, such mathematical problems can be solved within minutes. They can get the right angles, the right shapes, and the right dimensions.
Materials can also be cut or divided with more precision while lots of materials and money can be saved. With this type of calculator, one thing is guaranteed -- precision!
When buying a construction calculator, here are some features you must be sure are present:
Portable Size: Since you will be on-site almost all day, moving from one area to another, your ideal construction calculator will be portable and should easily fit in your pocket. That is why most of these types of calculators are hand held. If the model you want to buy is portable, it should serve you well.
Built-In Features: Some built-in features you must check for include calculations for stringer length, treads, risers, and incline angles. They must be equipped to measure various dimensions with ease and successfully interpret them.
Versatility: Even though they function mainly as a construction assistant, a good construction calculator must be able to perform simple math operations. So while they must be able to perform simple site conversions, they must also be able to convert between imperial and metric measurements.
Final Verdict
As highlighted in the review, construction calculators are portable calculators built specifically to solve math problems that relate to construction. Every construction manager needs one, since they are efficient, fast, and easy to use. You may need to check each product for extra features that act as incentives for buyers.
With so many products available, be sure you are choosing a good one, because it just might be the difference between professionalism and mediocrity.
