How it works
The calculator adds your extra allowance to the length of edging, allows for overlapping joints, divides by the length of one piece and rounds up. Stakes and joints follow from the number of pieces.
Length incl. extra = Length × (1 + Extra ÷ 100)
Pieces = ⌈ Length incl. extra × (1 + Joint extra) ÷ Piece length ⌉ (presets)
Pieces = ⌈ Length incl. extra ÷ (Piece length − Overlap) ⌉ (your own product)
Stakes = Pieces × Stakes per piece
Joints = Pieces − Runs (open runs) or Pieces (loops)
⌈ ⌉ means rounding up to whole pieces. Joint extra is 0 for the coil preset, whose pieces are joined with connectors, and 6 % for the steel preset.
Measuring the edge
Edging follows the line between lawn and bed, path and gravel, or around a tree ring. Straight edges are easy to measure; for curves, lay a garden hose or a string along the line, mark it and measure the hose. Add the lengths of all the edges you plan to do and enter the total, together with the number of separate runs.
Product presets
The presets use the maker’s own figures. DeWitt lists its Royal Diamond Professional lawn edging as a box with one 5 in × 40 ft strip, 8 metal stakes and 2 “C” connectors – the US example. EverEdge Classic steel edging comes in 1 m lengths with built-in spikes; its NBS Source listing says the lengths overlap and interlock, requiring an additional 6 % to the actual linear requirement – the metric example. For anything else – aluminum, paver or brick edging, timber or rolled plastic of another size – choose My own product and enter the figures from its label.
Stakes
Stakes, spikes or nails hold the edging in place. The calculator multiplies the pieces by the stakes per piece the maker supplies or specifies. On tight curves, soft or sandy soil and slopes you may want more; buy extra stakes separately rather than spacing the included ones further apart.
Joints and connectors
Where two pieces meet they are joined – by a connector on coiled plastic edging, or by overlapping on interlocking steel. An open run of 3 pieces has 2 joints; a loop around a bed of 3 pieces has 3, because the last piece meets the first. Compare the joints with the connectors in the box: DeWitt’s box, for example, includes 2 connectors per 40 ft strip.
Extra for cuts
Each corner, short straight and end cuts a piece, and the offcut is not always long enough to use elsewhere. The calculator starts at 0 % so you can see the minimum; add an allowance for the number of corners and runs in your layout.
Worked example
Inputs
- Length of edging
- 60 ft
- Separate runs or beds
- 1
- Shape
- Open runs (ends free)
- Edging product
- 40 ft coil, 8 stakes (DeWitt Royal Diamond)
- Extra allowance
- 0 %
Result
- Length of edging
- 60 ft
- Length incl. extra
- 60 ft
- Pieces to buy
- 2
- Stakes
- 16
- Joints to connect
- 1
Common mistakes
- Measuring a curved bed as a straight line. Lay a hose or string along the edge and measure it – curves add length.
- Forgetting the overlap. Edging that overlaps at the joints uses more than its labelled length; the steel preset adds the 6 % its listing calls for.
- Counting connectors from the number of pieces. An open run of 3 pieces has 2 joints; a loop of 3 pieces has 3.
- Assuming every product includes stakes. Some boxes include stakes and connectors, others sell them separately – check the label before you buy.
- Leaving no extra for cuts. Corners, straight sections and ends cut pieces that are often too short to reuse.
Assumptions and limits
- Pieces = ⌈ length incl. extra × (1 + joint extra) ÷ piece length ⌉ for the presets, and ⌈ length incl. extra ÷ (piece length − overlap) ⌉ for your own product.
- Pieces are counted from the total length of all runs; offcuts are assumed to be reused.
- Stakes = pieces × stakes per piece, as the maker supplies or specifies them. Extra stakes for tight curves or soft ground are not included.
- Joints = pieces − separate runs for open runs, or pieces when each run is a loop. Corners made by bending the edging are not joints.
Frequently asked questions
How many feet of edging do I need?
Measure the edge you want to line, following every curve – a garden hose laid on the line and then measured works well. Add the lengths of all beds together and enter the total. The calculator divides it by the length of one piece and rounds up.
How many stakes does lawn edging need?
Use the figure from the product. DeWitt, for example, lists its Royal Diamond Professional box as one 40 ft strip with 8 metal stakes; EverEdge Classic steel lengths have their fixing spikes built in. Enter your own product’s figure under My own product.
How many connectors do I need?
One for each place where two pieces meet. On an open run that is one fewer than the number of pieces; on a loop around a bed, where the last piece meets the first, it equals the number of pieces. The calculator shows this as joints to connect.
Does steel edging need extra length for overlaps?
Steel edging that overlaps and interlocks does. The NBS Source listing for EverEdge Classic says it requires an additional 6 % to the actual linear requirement; the steel preset adds that.
Sources
- Royal Diamond Professional Lawn Edging Boxed w/Stakes/Connectors – product page — DeWitt Company. "Each Box includes: Packaged as 1 – 5“ x 40’ strip with 8-metal stakes and 2-8” ”C” connectors" (US preset).
- EverEdge Classic – NBS Source product listing — EverEdge. Steel edging "in 1 m lengths" with built-in fixing spikes; "EverEdge Classic overlaps and interlocks, requiring an additional 6% to the actual linear requirement" (metric preset).
- NIST Handbook 44, Appendix C – General Tables of Units of Measurement — National Institute of Standards and Technology. Exact unit definitions: 1 in = 2.54 cm, 1 yd³ = 27 ft³, 1 US gal = 231 in³, 1 lb = 0.45359237 kg.
Method reviewed November 4, 2026