Gold Leaf Calculator

How many leaves of gold or metal leaf a surface needs, with the overlap, the books to buy and the cost.

Surface area to gild sq m

For a moulding or a carved surface, measure over the profile rather than across the footprint.

Leaf length mm

The standard loose leaf is 80 by 80 millimetres, about 3.15 inches square. Larger leaves of 90 and 100 are available.

Leaf width mm

Equal to the length for the square leaves that make up most of the trade.

Overlap between leaves %

Ten to twenty percent for loose leaf, about five percent for transfer leaf, which is carried on a backing paper.

Leaf type

Extra for waste and small pieces %

Torn, blown and dropped leaves, plus the small pieces every moulding needs. Ten percent is a fair planning figure.

Leaves in one book

A standard book of loose leaf is 25 leaves. Some suppliers sell books of 20 or 30.

Price per book

Optional. Used for the cost of the leaf.

Reset

Free calculator by Handcraft worked examples and methodology No account, nothing stored.