Detailer Calculator: feet, inches, and detailing math

Open the Detailer Calculator

This browser calculator is for people working with architectural and detailing dimensions. It combines feet-and-inches arithmetic, triangle functions, unit conversions, and a rectangular steel-weight calculation. You can use it on a phone or with a keyboard.

What it can do

• Add, subtract, multiply, and divide with a reverse Polish notation (RPN) stack.
• Convert between detailing notation, decimal feet, and decimal inches.
• Calculate base, rise, and slope dimensions with stored angles.
• Estimate rectangular steel weight from width, length, and thickness.
• Undo or redo operations and adjust display rounding.

How to enter a measurement

In detailing mode, the entry is feet.inchesSixteenths. Enter 12.0608 for 12 feet, 6 and 8/16 inches. It means 12 feet, 6½ inches; it does not mean 12.0608 decimal feet. Use standard mode when you need ordinary decimal arithmetic.

For an addition example, enter 8.04, press Enter, enter 3.09, then press +. The result is 12 feet, 1 inch. RPN puts the operands on a stack before you choose the operation, so there is no equals button to finish this sequence.

Steel-weight example

A rectangular piece 12 inches long, 6 inches wide, and ¼ inch thick has a volume of 18 cubic inches. This calculator uses its configured factor of 0.2904 lb/in³, giving 5.2272 lb before display rounding. That factor is a tool setting, not a universal density for every alloy or product.

Saving and limitations

The working state is stored in this browser on this device. Clearing site data removes it, and it does not synchronize between devices. This calculator does not check drawings, select a material grade, or establish structural capacity. Confirm dimensions, units, and the appropriate material factor for your job.

More help

Explore the metal-building takeoff tool or contact me about a calculation workflow. For help learning to use AI in your own work, see one-on-one tutoring.