Free · Leisure and fun calculators 🧩

Clay Shrinkage & Finished Dimensions Calculator

Estimate finished clay dimensions or the starting size needed for a target length, width and height.

  • Formula & worked example
  • Private in your browser
  • No signup
Go to tool

Calculator inputs

Loading calculator…

How to use this calculator

  1. Enter the known values in the units shown. Results update as you type.
  2. Where results are editable, change one to solve backwards. Lock a value to hold it fixed.
  3. Use the worked example to check the method. Reset restores the starting fields.

Private by default

Inputs and results stay in this browser tab. Bookify does not upload or store the values you enter.

Formula and method

At 12% linear shrinkage, a piece starting at 25 × 20 × 10 cm finishes at 22 × 17.6 × 8.8 cm. Apply the retained fraction, 0.88, separately to each dimension.

Finished dimension = starting dimension × (1 − shrinkage / 100); starting dimension = finished dimension ÷ (1 − shrinkage / 100)

Worked example

Enter these known values and leave the other values blank.

Linear shrinkage
12 %
Starting length
25 cm
Starting width
20 cm
Starting height
10 cm
Finished length
22 cm
Finished height
8.8 cm
Finished width
17.6 cm

Assumptions and limitations

  • One entered linear shrinkage percentage applies uniformly to all three dimensions. Use a supplier specification or test piece measured between the same initial and final stages.
  • Dimensions must be positive; shrinkage can range from zero up to, but not including, 100%. Warping, directional differences, joining and firing variation are not modeled.
  • Linear shrinkage differs from volume shrinkage. A 10% reduction in each dimension retains 0.9³ = 72.9% of the initial rectangular volume.

Common questions

How do I size a piece for a finished 18 cm length?

At 10% linear shrinkage, divide 18 cm by 0.9 to obtain a starting length of 20 cm. Enter the target in Finished length and leave Starting length blank.

Can I calculate the shrinkage from a test piece?

Yes. Unlock Linear shrinkage, clear its value, and enter one pair of measured starting and finished dimensions. Keep those measurements in matching stages and units.

References

The calculation equations, inverse formulas, units, and input rules were imported from this source. Bookify provides the interface and equation solver.

Explore leisure and fun calculators 🧩 or browse all everyday life calculators.