Comparison

Construction Master 5 Calc vs Chalk

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Construction Master 5 Calc

This app is a powerful feet-inch-fraction calculator designed for construction professionals. It offers advanced calculation capabilities for layouts, bids, and estimates, simplifying complex measurements and conversions for enhanced project accuracy and efficiency.

Highlights
  • Feet-inch-fraction calculations
  • Right angle and rafter calculations
  • Area and volume solutions
  • Board feet and cost per unit
  • Dimensional math and conversions
  • Save or email calculations
  • Context-sensitive help
Features
Read full description

FREE Try Before You Buy trial, your App Store account is not charged by Apple during the free trial. Introducing the Construction Master 5, an innovative feet-inch-fraction builder's calculator that revolutionizes project efficiency and accuracy. For over thirty years, this award-winning tool has been a vital asset in North America's construction industry, trusted by professionals for its precision and reliability. The Construction Master 5 was built for professionals, including Builders, Contractors, Designers, Fabricators, Framers, Carpenters, Tradesmen, and Advanced Do-It-Yourselfers. ----- VERSATILE FUNCTIONALITY FOR CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONALS ----- • Tailored to meet the needs of Builders, Contractors, and Designers • Essential for Fabricators and Framers/Carpenters • Invaluable for Tradesmen across specialties • Perfect for Advanced Do-It-Yourselfers requiring precise measurements • Aim to enhance speed, accuracy, and productivity in dimension-focused projects ----- OPTIMIZED FOR MOBILE DEVICES ----- • Compatible with both iPhone and iPad • Replicates the trusted functions of our traditional handheld calculators • Enhanced with exclusive features for mobile users • User-friendly design with a comprehensive User’s Guide • Includes Searchable help and a 'press and hold' feature for instant help on functions, supported by tutorial videos ----- ADVANCED CALCULATION CAPABILITIES ----- • Equipped with a robust core engine from Calculated Industries • Assures unmatched reliability and precision • Perfect for construction or DIY projects requiring exact measurements • Offers powerful built-in solutions for layouts, plans, bids, and estimates • Works in and converts between various dimensional formats, including imperial and metric units ----- COMPREHENSIVE BUILT-IN SOLUTIONS ----- • Extensive dimensional math and conversion capabilities • Features complete right angle and rafter calculations • Includes area and volume solutions for square, cubic, and circular calculations • Special functions like Board Feet, Cost per Unit, and Advanced Paperless Tape • User-definable preferences and memory function for personalized use ----- ENHANCED APP FEATURES ----- • Entry-editing Backspace Key for easy corrections • Context-sensitive help is available for each function • Ability to save or email calculations and outputs like cut lists • Facilitates complex calculations with ease • Designed for efficient use in the field, office, or on the go With the Construction Master 5, take your construction and DIY projects to the next level of efficiency and precision. This tool not only simplifies complex calculations but also brings a new level of professionalism and accuracy to your work. Whether working on the job site, in the office or tackling a home project, the Construction Master 5 is your indispensable partner, ensuring that every measurement and calculation is on point. Upgrade your toolkit with the Construction Master 5 and experience the future of construction and project planning today. SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION Your Free Trial period is free of charge. Subscriptions offered will automatically renew at the end of the chosen period. Upon purchase confirmation and completion of a free trial, payment will be charged to your Apple account. The subscription will automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off or the subscription is canceled in settings at least one day (24 hours) before the subscription period ends. You can manage your subscription and turn off auto-renewal in your Apple account Settings > Account (Apple ID) > Subscriptions. TRADEMARKS Construction Master® and Calculated Industries® are registered trademarks of Calculated Industries, Inc. Copyright 2024

About

Chalk

This construction calculator handles metric and imperial units seamlessly, offering specialized tools for various trades like framing, tiling, and concrete work. It features an AI advisor for job guidance and works offline, ensuring accessibility on any job site.

Highlights
  • Metric and imperial unit support
  • Specialized trade calculators (stairs, rafters, concrete, etc.)
  • AI Advisor for job guidance
  • Offline functionality
  • Adjustable fraction precision
  • Saved projects
Features
Read full description

Type feet, inches and fractions the way you say them. Chalk's keypad takes 5 ft 3 1/2 in on one line, with one-tap fraction keys for 1/2, 1/4, 1/8 and 1/16, and answers in feet, inches and fractions. No decimal-feet guesswork and no converting in your head. Add, subtract, multiply and divide measurements on the tape calculator, then let Chalk do the job math. Every result rounds to the fraction precision you pick, down to 1/64 of an inch. THE TOOLBOX • Stairs: risers, treads, stringer length, angle and a code check • Rafters and Roof: common and hip or valley lengths from span and pitch • Concrete: slabs, footings and post holes, with bag counts • Framing and Studs: stud counts and plate lineal for any wall • Drywall: sheets, screws, compound and tape • Tiling: tiles, adhesive and grout, waste included • Brick and Block: US, UK and AU sizes, plus mortar • Decking: board rows, lineal length and fasteners • Board Feet: lumber volume and cost • Equal Spacing and Balusters: even layouts that meet code • Aggregates: gravel, sand, soil and asphalt by volume and weight • Running Measurements: layout tables from a start point and interval • Chalk Pad: a full-size dimensional calculator with memory and rise, run, pitch, diagonal, hip, jack and stair keys • Free tools: tape calculator, triangle solver, square footage and volume, pitch and slope, square check and a unit converter METRIC WHEN YOU NEED IT Working from a metric plan? Switch to millimeters and meters in Settings. Every result shows both systems, and one entry can even mix units. ASK THE ADVISOR Chalk's AI Advisor talks the job through: quantities, materials, layout and sequencing. Attach a saved project and it works with your exact numbers. The Advisor needs a connection. Every calculator works offline. BUILT FOR THE JOB SITE • Works fully offline, with no account and no ads • A clear diagram on every calculator • Saved projects keep every number with the job it belongs to • Light, Dark or System appearance • Big results you can read in the sun MADE FOR Carpenters, framers, contractors, builders, concrete crews, remodelers and serious DIYers. Chalk Pro unlocks every trade calculator, the Chalk Pad, the AI Advisor and saved projects. Weekly and yearly subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel anytime in your App Store account settings. Results are estimates, so always check quantities before ordering. Privacy Policy: https://chalkcalc.com/privacy Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Terms and Conditions: https://chalkcalc.com/terms Support: support@chalkcalc.com

Screenshots

Construction Master 5 Calc4 screens
Chalk4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ratings volume: Construction Master 5 Calc at 13K against Chalk's 2. Construction Master 5 Calc also leads on chart position (#189 vs unranked) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, rating, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Construction Master 5 Calc sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and Chalk sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Chalk holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Construction Master 5 Calc has 13K ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
Construction Master 5 Calc versus Chalk: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterConstruction Master 5 CalcChalk
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (13K ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews67.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings13K — better2
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#189 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size73 MB18 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperCalculated IndustriesLionary LLC

Customer experience

Construction Master 5 Calc

All ratings13,064 ratings
Positive96.3%
Neutral1.2%
Negative2.4%
Written reviews165 reviews
Positive67.9%
Neutral4.2%
Negative27.9%

Chalk

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Construction Master 5 Calc

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App not working without internet connection
  • Crashes or freezes on some devices
  • Login/purchase issues when switching devices

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add Apple Watch support
  • Offer one-time purchase option
  • Improve compatibility with older devices
  • Provide a free version with limited features

Chalk

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Construction Master 5 Calc

Subscriptions2
  • 1 Month Full Access14 Days trial3 variants$3.991 Month
  • 1 Year Full Access14 Days trial3 variants$34.991 Year
2 purchases

Chalk

Subscriptions2
  • Chalk Pro Weekly$2.997 Days
  • Chalk Pro Yearly$17.991 Year

Questions

Is Construction Master 5 Calc free?
Construction Master 5 Calc is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Chalk free?
Chalk is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Construction Master 5 Calc or Chalk?
Chalk is rated higher. Construction Master 5 Calc averages 4.8 out of 5 from 13K ratings, while Chalk averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Construction Master 5 Calc or Chalk have ads?
Neither Construction Master 5 Calc nor Chalk shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Construction Master 5 Calc or Chalk?
Construction Master 5 Calc ships an update every 3 months, and Chalk every 3 months. Most recently, Construction Master 5 Calc was updated on October 21, 2026 and Chalk on October 16, 2026.

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