Construction Math Cheat Sheet

Tape Measure Concepts

A tape measure shows feet, inches, and fractions of an
inch, including half inches (1/2″), quarter inches (1/4″),
eighth inches (1/8″), and sixteenth inches (1/16″).

Parts of a fraction 3 Numerator (3)

or 3�
8 8 Denominator (8)

Mixed numbers 1 1�2 2 3�4 or 27 15�16

How to write measurements Foot mark:′ | Inch mark:″ | sq. ft. = ft2 | sq. in. = in2

Converting Measurements
Inches to Feet Feet to Inches Feet to Yards Yards to Feet

Divide the total Multiply the feet in your
number of inches by measurement by 12, then
12. add the extra inches.
Example: Example:
20in ÷ 12 = 1ft 8in Convert 3ft 4in to inches.
3ft x 12in = 36in+4in = 40in
Divide your total
number of feet by
three.
Example:
30 ft ÷ 3 = 10 yds
Multiply your total number
in yards by three.
Example:
10 yds x 3 = 30 ft

Fractions
Fraction to Decimal Conversion
Adding fractions with the same denominators. Fractions can be expressed as decimals.
Add the numerators only. Example 1�4 + 2�4 = 3�4 This is helpful if you do your problems on a
calculator. The chart below gives the decimal
Adding fractions with different denominators. equivalent for ruler fractions.
Find the common denominator, then add. Fraction Decimal
Example, common denominator of 16: 1/16 0.0625
1� + 5� = 1/8 0.125
4 16
3/16 0.1875
4� + 5� = 9�
16 16 16 1/4 0.25
Subtracting fractions. 5/16 0.3125
Same as adding but subtract the numerators. 3/8 0.375
Example, 2�4 ̶ 1�4 = 1�4 7/16 0.4375
1/2 0.5
Converting improper fractions to mixed numbers.
9/16 0.5625
Example, 5�4 = 1�4 + 1�4 + 1�4 + 1�4 + 1�4 = 1 1�4 5/8 0.625
11/16 0.6875
Finding the center of an object. Divide the length by 2. 3/4 0.75
13/16 0.8125
7/8 0.875
15/16 0.9375

24 1�4 ÷ 2 = 12 1�4 Page 1

Construction Math Cheat Sheet

Perimeter of a Rectangle: 20ft Area of a Rectangle:

P = length + width + length + width A = length x width
20ft + 60ft + 20ft + 60ft = 220ft 20ft x 60ft = 1,200ft²
60ft

Volume of a Rectangle:
16ft
V = length x width x depth
4in
= 20ft x 16ft x .34ft*
= 108.8ft³ 20ft

* Remember to convert all measurements to the same dimension.

Example, 4in = 1/3 ft = .34ft

Measurements of a Circle: Final Tips

Circumference: the distance around a circle Memorize:
Diameter: the distance across a circle • How to find
Radius (r) : the distance from the center to the edge of a circle. perimeter, area, and
The radius is always ½ the diameter. volume (page 2).
• How to convert
Circumference – 37.69in
inches to feet, feet to
yards, and so on
Area of a Circle: (page 1).
A = π x r2

Diameter – 12in
π (Pi) = 3.14 Do the math:
• Don’t be afraid to
A = 3.14 x 6²
use a pencil or
= 113.04in² Radius – 6in calculator to work
out calculations on
the jobsite.
10ft
Improve:
Volume of a Cylinder:
• The key to getting
V = (π x r2 ) x length better at construction
V = (3.14 x 2²) x 10 4ft math is to practice,
practice, practice!
= 125.66ft³

Accounting for waste. When estimating materials quantities, add ten percent to your
measurement. To calculate ten percent, multiply your total number by .1.

Page 2