Comparison

Material Estimator Calculator vs Span Calc

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

Head to head
About

Material Estimator Calculator

This app helps contractors and DIYers accurately estimate material costs and quantities for construction projects. It features dimensional measurement tools, unit conversions, and a material database to optimize budgeting and ordering.

Highlights
  • Precise cost and percentage calculations
  • Integrated material size database
  • Advanced dimensional measurement tools
  • Comprehensive unit conversion
  • Efficient material requirement determination
  • Board feet and cost estimation
  • Digital record keeping
Features
Read full description

FREE Try Before You Buy trial, your App Store account is not charged by Apple during the free trial. Revolutionize Your Building Projects with the Ultimate Material Estimator App by Calculated Industries Designed for Handyman Contractors and Serious DIY enthusiasts, this app is your essential tool for precise material and cost estimation. Say goodbye to costly errors and time-consuming calculations! ---- PRECISE COST AND PERCENTAGE CALCULATIONS ---- • Quickly compute material expenses • Effortlessly integrates percentages for allowances • Optimizes your budgeting and material acquisition process ---- INTEGRATED MATERIAL SIZE DATABASE ---- • Contains built-in size specifications for widespread materials • Delivers spot-on estimations for various supplies like tiles and paint • Makes choosing and measuring materials straightforward ---- ADVANCED DIMENSIONAL MEASUREMENT TOOLS ---- • Offers accurate length, area, and volume calculations • Suitable for projects of all scopes • Increases the accuracy of your measurements ---- COMPREHENSIVE UNIT CONVERSION ---- • Compatible with multiple units, including metric and imperial • Facilitates easy conversion between area and volume measurements • Removes the hassle of manual unit conversion ---- EFFICIENT MATERIAL REQUIREMENT DETERMINATION ---- • Instantly identifies requirements for common construction elements • Perfect for projects involving fencing, decking, and flooring • Guarantees precise material ordering ---- BOARD FEET AND COST ESTIMATION ---- • Provides immediate cost estimates for materials • Aids in budget management and expenditure analysis • Improves the financial oversight of your projects ---- TIME-SAVING UTILITIES ---- • Multi-Format Compatibility: Works seamlessly across various measurement formats • Material Quick Find: Easily solve material requirements for several common building materials • Instant Cost Estimation: Get on-the-spot material cost assessments ---- SPECIAL FUNCTIONS FOR ENHANCED USABILITY ---- • Entry Editing: Swipe-backspace for easy correction • Cost Efficiency: Solve unit costs for smarter budgeting • Digital Record Keeping: Paperless tape for tracking calculations Transform your building material estimation with this advanced, user-friendly app by Calculated Industries, creators of the acclaimed Construction Master(R) calculators. Say hello to accuracy and efficiency in every project! SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION Your Free Trial period is free of charge. Subscriptions offered will automatically renew at the end of the chosen period. Payment will be charged to your Apple account upon purchase confirmation. 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 > Subscriptions. TRADEMARKS Material Estimator(R) and Construction Master(R) are registered trademarks of Calculated Industries, Inc. Copyright 2025.

About

Span Calc

Calculate maximum horizontal spans for wood joists and rafters using various lumber species and grades. Compares multiple options for common loading conditions based on NDS® standards.

Highlights
  • Calculates joist and rafter spans
  • Supports all softwood and hardwood lumber
  • Uses 2021 NDS® for Wood Construction
  • Compares multiple species and grades
  • Handles common loading conditions
Features
Read full description

The American Wood Council (AWC) Span Calculator for Wood Joists and Rafters (Span Calc) performs calculations for all species and grades of commercially available softwood and hardwood lumber as found in the 2021 National Design Specification® (NDS®) for Wood Construction. Joists and rafter spans for common loading conditions can be determined. A span options calculator allows selection of multiple species and grades for comparison purposes. Supported by the Softwood Lumber Board. Maximum horizontal spans for joists and rafters are calculated based on the following assumptions and conditions: · Joists and rafters are oriented to support vertical loads applied to the narrow (1.5 in. thick) face of the member, resulting in strong-axis bending. · At least three joists or rafters are installed parallel to one another and spaced not more than 24 inches on-center, with properly designed sheathing attached on the top (compression) edge of each joist or rafter. · Joists and rafters are single-span with adequate structural support at each end. The Span Calculator does not address cantilevered joists and rafters, multiple-span joists and rafters, or spliced joists and rafters. · For joists and rafters, most building codes specify a minimum bearing length of 1.5 inches on wood or metal and not less than 3 inches on masonry or concrete. These minimum bearing lengths are to be used in the absence of calculated bearing lengths. Consult the local building code for specific requirements. · Joists and rafters carry only combinations of dead load plus live load (D + L), dead load plus snow load (D + S), or dead load plus roof live load (D + Lr). The Span Calculator does not address wind load or seismic load. · Buildings in regions with ground snow loads greater than 70 psf should not use the prescriptive provisions of the governing building code without approval of the authority having jurisdiction. Buildings in these high snow zones should be designed in accordance with accepted engineering practice. While every effort has been made to insure the accuracy of the information presented, and special effort has been made to assure that the information reflects the state-of-the-art, neither the American Wood Council nor its members assume any responsibility for any particular design prepared from this Span Calculator application. Those using this Span Calculator assume all liability from its use.

Screenshots

Material Estimator Calculator4 screens
Span Calc4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Material Estimator Calculator at 4.8 against Span Calc's 2.9. Material Estimator Calculator also leads on ratings volume (3.1K vs 15) and review sentiment (41% vs 30%). Span Calc's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 9) and update cadence (every 10 days vs every 6 weeks). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. Material Estimator Calculator sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Span Calc asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Material Estimator Calculator holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 2.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Material Estimator Calculator has 3.1K ratings behind it against 15, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 41% of Material Estimator Calculator's written reviews are positive against 30% of Span Calc's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Material Estimator Calculator ships an update every 6 weeks, Span Calc every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and August 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Material Estimator Calculator versus Span Calc: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMaterial Estimator CalculatorSpan Calc
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (3.1K ratings) — better2.9 (15 ratings)
Positive reviews41.4% of reviews — better29.6% of reviews
Number of ratings3.1K — better15
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 10 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.014.2 — better
Further details — not scored
Size57 MB168 MB
Age rating9+17+
DeveloperCalculated IndustriesAmerican Wood Council

Customer experience

Material Estimator Calculator

All ratings3,093 ratings
Positive95.0%
Neutral1.2%
Negative3.8%
Written reviews70 reviews
Positive41.4%
Neutral2.9%
Negative55.7%

Span Calc

All ratings15 ratings
Positive53.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative46.7%
Written reviews27 reviews
Positive29.6%
Neutral11.1%
Negative59.3%

Bugs and requests

Material Estimator Calculator

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • App crashes repeatedly on launch
  • Subscription screen keeps appearing even after purchase

Requested features

3 requests
  • Landscape mode support
  • Metric unit support
  • Offline functionality

Span Calc

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Material Estimator Calculator

Subscriptions3
  • 1 Month Full Access14 Days trial3 variants$3.991 Month
  • 3 Months Full Access14 Days trial3 variants$7.993 Months
  • 1 Year Full Access14 Days trial3 variants$29.991 Year
None

Span Calc

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Material Estimator Calculator free?
Material Estimator Calculator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Span Calc free?
Span Calc is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Material Estimator Calculator or Span Calc?
Material Estimator Calculator is rated higher. Material Estimator Calculator averages 4.8 out of 5 from 3.1K ratings, while Span Calc averages 2.9 from 15 ratings.
Do Material Estimator Calculator or Span Calc have ads?
Neither Material Estimator Calculator nor Span Calc shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Material Estimator Calculator or Span Calc?
Material Estimator Calculator ships an update every 6 weeks, and Span Calc every 10 days. Most recently, Material Estimator Calculator was updated on September 25, 2026 and Span Calc on August 13, 2026.

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