Stained Glass Area Calculator
Stained Glass Area
Calculate glass area, lead came or copper foil, and solder needed for stained glass panel projects.
Formula
Glass Needed = (Panel Width x Height / 144) x 1.33 waste factor; Came Length = (Pieces x Avg Perimeter / 2) + Border; Solder = Came Length x Usage Factor
Frequently Asked Questions
How much extra glass should I buy for stained glass?
Buy 30 to 40 percent more glass than the panel area to account for cutting waste, breakage, and irregular shapes. Complex curved pieces have higher waste.
What is the difference between copper foil and lead came?
Copper foil (Tiffany method) wraps each piece in adhesive-backed foil and solders joints. Lead came uses H-shaped lead strips between pieces. Foil allows finer detail; came is more traditional.
How much solder do I need?
For copper foil, estimate about 0.5 to 1 pound of solder per 4 square feet of panel. Lead came uses less solder since joints are only at intersections.