How much waste should I allow for?

Allow 15-20% waste for experienced scratch-builders, 25-30% for beginners. Off-cuts can be saved and used for small details on future projects. Wastage is higher with curved parts than straight cuts.

What sizes do Evergreen packs come in?

Evergreen styrene sheets are 150 x 300mm (6 x 12 inches) — one sheet is 450 sq.cm. Pack quantity varies by thickness: thin sheets (e.g. .010in/0.25mm) come 4 per pack, mid-gauges 2 per pack, and thick sheets (e.g. .080in/2.0mm) just 1 per pack. Rod and strip come in 350mm (14 inch) lengths, typically 5-10 per pack depending on diameter. Tube usually comes 3-5 lengths per pack. Set the pack size in Advanced Options to match the product you are buying.

Where can I buy styrene sheet in the UK?

Evergreen and Plastruct products are available from most UK model shops. Online retailers like Hannants, BNA Model World, and eBay stock full ranges. Hobbycraft carries basic sizes. Buy in bulk online for the best value.

Can I use other materials instead of styrene?

Card (mounting board) is cheap and easy to work with for buildings. Balsa wood is good for curved surfaces. Brass and nickel silver for fine detail. Foamboard for terrain and large structures. Each material has different properties and joining methods.

ModelCalcs

Material Calculator — Styrene & Supplies

Estimate how much styrene sheet, rod and tube to buy for your scratch-building project, with a waste allowance and pack count.

Sheet Area Needed (sq.cm)

Sum the area of every flat panel you'll cut (1 sq.cm = 100 sq.mm)

Rod Length Needed (mm)

Total running length of rod/strip across all parts

Tube Length Needed (mm)

Total running length of styrene tube across all parts

Wastage Allowance (%)

Allow 15-20% (beginners 25-30%); higher for curved cuts

Sheet Pack Cost (£)

£ per sheet pack from your supplier (optional)

Rod Pack Cost (£)

£ per rod pack from your supplier (optional)

Tube Pack Cost (£)

£ per tube pack from your supplier (optional)

How We Calculate This

Calculates material quantities with a waste allowance, then works out how many standard packs you need to buy and the total cost.

Formula

Material with waste = Required amount × (1 + Waste %)
Packs needed = Material with waste ÷ Pack size (rounded up)
Sheet pack = 450 sq.cm per sheet (one 150 × 300mm / 6 × 12in sheet)
Rod/tube pack = ~2,100mm (6 × 350mm lengths)

Defaults assume one 6 × 12in sheet (450 sq.cm) per pack and 6 lengths of 350mm rod/tube per pack. Real Evergreen sheet packs hold 1-4 sheets depending on thickness — set your actual pack size in Advanced Options for an accurate count.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Template Calculator

Generate dimensions for templates — circles, arches, angles and compound curves.

Structure Calculator

Calculate framing, bracing and panel sizes for scratch-built structures.

Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates. Always verify quantities before purchasing materials.