A basing material calculator tells you exactly how much sand, PVA glue, static grass, tufts, and texture paint you need before you head to the hobby store. Because basing materials are bought in bulk, knowing the quantity upfront prevents both running out mid-project and spending money on materials you won't use.
Project Settings
For circular base: π × r². For 32mm: 3.14 × 16² = 804 mm²
Materials Needed
Cost Estimate
Based on approximate retail prices. Bulk purchases reduce cost per base significantly.
Style Tips
Base Size Reference & Areas
Use these areas to compare coverage requirements
| Base Size | Area (mm²) | Area (in²) | Sand (g) /50 | Static Grass (g) /50 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25mm Round | 491 | 0.76 | ~7g | ~4g |
| 32mm Round | 804 | 1.25 | ~12g | ~6g |
| 40mm Round | 1,257 | 1.95 | ~19g | ~9g |
| 50mm Round | 1,963 | 3.04 | ~30g | ~15g |
| 60mm Round | 2,827 | 4.38 | ~43g | ~22g |
| 60×35mm Oval | 1,649 | 2.56 | ~25g | ~13g |
How to Use the Basing Material Calculator
Running out of static grass mid-army or discovering you need three more bags of sand is one of the most frustrating hobby experiences. This basing material calculator gives you a complete shopping list before you start, so you can buy everything in one trip and begin basing your entire army in a single session.
Step 1: Choose your base size
Select your base size from the dropdown. Modern Warhammer 40K uses 32mm round as the standard infantry base, while many AoS armies use 25mm. Large infantry, cavalry, and monsters may use 40mm, 50mm, 60mm, or oval bases. If your bases are non-standard, use the Custom option and enter the base area in mm².
Step 2: Enter the number of bases
Enter the total number of bases you need to complete. This includes infantry, characters, vehicles (if you base them), and any display pieces. Buying for an entire army at once is more cost-effective than buying in small batches — sand and static grass are sold by weight and are much cheaper per gram when purchased in larger bags.
Step 3: Choose your basing style and materials
Select a basing style to get style-specific tips and appropriate material multipliers. Then check the material layers you plan to use. A grass base typically uses texture paint, sand, static grass, and tufts. A desert base skips the grass and tufts. An urban base might use only sand, rocks, and no grass at all. Unchecking materials you won't use gives a more accurate shopping list.
Step 4: Read the shopping list
The results panel shows the quantity needed for each material category, alongside a rough cost estimate. Use this list at your local hobby store or when ordering online. Always buy 10–15% more than calculated to account for spillage, experimentation, and future touch-ups on the same army.
Tips for efficient basing
Base all your models at the same time using an assembly-line approach — apply texture to all bases, then sand all bases, then paint all bases together. This is far faster than finishing each base individually. Mix your PVA glue 1:1 with water for the initial adhesion layer and apply undiluted PVA only for tufts and large rocks that need a strong bond.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this basing material calculator free?
Yes, completely free with no account required. All calculations happen instantly in your browser. You can estimate materials for any number of bases in any size and basing style combination.
Is my data private?
Yes — no data is sent to a server. Everything runs locally in your browser using JavaScript. Your settings are not stored or shared.
How much PVA glue do I need for miniature basing?
For standard 32mm bases with a sand and texture layer, you typically need about 0.5–1 ml of PVA glue per base. Dilute PVA 50/50 with water for the sealant top coat. A 250ml bottle of PVA covers approximately 250–500 standard 32mm bases.
How much static grass do I need for miniature bases?
A standard 32mm base with a full grass coverage uses approximately 0.15–0.25 grams of static grass. A 250g bag of static grass covers roughly 1,000–1,500 standard 32mm bases. Larger bases or denser coverage naturally use more.
What is the best basing order for miniature bases?
The standard process is: (1) prime the base, (2) apply texture paint or sand+PVA layer, (3) let dry and paint base texture, (4) apply a thin wash to shade, (5) drybrush highlights, (6) add static grass and tufts with undiluted PVA, (7) seal with matte varnish. Each layer must be fully dry before the next.
How many tufts do I need per base?
For visual impact, place 1–3 tufts per 32mm base and 2–5 per 40mm base, clustered asymmetrically for a natural look. A single sheet of tufts (about 60–80 individual tufts) covers approximately 25–40 standard bases depending on placement density.
Do different base sizes need different amounts of material?
Yes — material amounts scale with base area, not diameter. A 40mm base has about 2.5× the surface area of a 25mm base, so it needs roughly 2.5× the materials. The calculator accounts for exact base areas so your estimates are accurate regardless of base size.