The stained glass material calculator estimates glass area, lead came or copper foil, solder, flux, and border zinc needed for any panel from dimensions and piece count.
Stained Glass Materials
Panel Dimensions
Material List
How to Calculate Stained Glass Materials
Accurate material estimates prevent mid-project shortages and save money by avoiding over-ordering. The stained glass material calculator covers glass, came or foil, solder, flux, and border zinc.
Glass Calculation with Waste Factor
Always buy 25-40% more glass than the finished panel area. Cutting waste happens even for experienced artists — curves waste more than straight cuts. A 12×16 inch panel (1.33 sq ft) needs at least 1.73 sq ft (30% waste). Glass is sold by the square foot or by sheet (typically 12×12 or 18×24 inches).
Lead Came vs Copper Foil
Lead came is sold in 6-foot strips. Estimate: panel perimeter ÷ 6 for border strips, plus interior came based on piece count. Copper foil is sold in rolls (36 yards) and is measured by the linear feet of piece edges to be wrapped. The foil width (7/32" to 7/16") depends on glass thickness — 3/16" glass uses 7/32" foil.
Solder and Flux
Use 50/50 solder for copper foil work (flows at lower temperature). Use 60/40 for lead came. Flux is required — it cleans the surfaces and allows solder to flow. Estimate 2-4 oz of flux per pound of solder used. A medium panel (2 sq ft, 24 pieces) typically uses 0.5-1 lb of solder and 2-4 oz of flux.
FAQ
How much glass do I need for a stained glass panel?
Calculate panel area then add 25-30% for cutting waste. A 12×16 inch panel = 1.33 sq ft. Add 30% waste = 1.73 sq ft of glass to buy. For mosaic-like patterns with many small pieces, increase waste to 35-40%. Always buy extra — glass color lots vary and you can't always reorder the exact shade.
How much lead came do I need?
Estimate lead came as: panel perimeter (border) + interior came length. Interior came = roughly 1.5× the panel's longest dimension per piece in the design. For a 24-piece panel: interior came ≈ 24 × 1.5 × 12 inches (if 12 inches is the average longest dimension per piece). Buy 10% extra for cuts and waste.
How much solder do I need for stained glass?
For lead came work: approximately 1 lb of solder per 25 linear feet of came. For copper foil (Tiffany style): approximately 1 lb per 15-20 linear feet of foil seams. Total solder per project = total came/foil length ÷ 25 (came) or ÷ 17 (foil). A medium 2 sq ft panel typically uses 0.5-1.5 lbs of solder.
What is the difference between lead came and copper foil techniques?
Lead came (traditional) uses H-shaped or U-shaped lead channels to hold glass pieces together, soldered at joints. Best for large architectural panels and geometric designs. Copper foil (Tiffany technique) wraps each piece in adhesive copper tape, then solders along all seams. Best for small detailed work, curves, and 3D objects like lampshades.
Is this stained glass calculator free?
Yes, completely free with no signup required. All calculations happen in your browser.