Netting Coverage Calculator
Default 10%: extra material for fixing, overlaps and irregular edges.
How to calculate how much netting you need
Measure the area you want to cover, then add an allowance for overlaps and fixing. The allowance matters: netting cut exactly to the surface size is hard to attach and tension properly. A 10 percent allowance suits most garden and field installations; complex structures may need more.
Netting calculation formulas
- Flat area: area = length x width x (1 + allowance)
- Crop rows: width needed per row = row width + 2 x cover height, then multiply by row length and the number of rows, plus allowance
- Greenhouse or hoop: cover width is approximated as a half-circle over the base: arc = 3.1416 / 2 x base width. This is an approximation; state your exact frame dimensions in a quote request
- Fence line: area = length x cover height plus allowance. Add 0.15 m (6 in) of burial depth against digging pests if needed
Worked examples
- Vegetable garden, 4 rows of 10 m, rows 1.2 m wide, covered 0.5 m high: width per row = 1.2 + 2 x 0.5 = 2.2 m. Area = 4 x 10 x 2.2 = 88 m2, plus 10% = about 97 m2.
- Hoop tunnel 20 ft long, 10 ft wide: arc width = 1.5708 x 10 = 15.7 ft. Area = 20 x 15.7 = 314 ft2, plus 10% = about 346 ft2.
- Flat area 30 m x 8 m: 240 m2, plus 10% = 264 m2.
How much bird netting do I need?
Use the flat area or rows mode above. For trees, a common approach is to measure the canopy diameter and height, then treat the cover as a square of (diameter + 2 x height) per tree, with a generous allowance so the net can be gathered and tied at the trunk.
When to use this tool
Use it to turn a garden bed, a field, a hoop tunnel or a fence line into a netting area, with the overlap allowance included. It answers searches like "how much netting do I need" and "agricultural netting calculator".
Common mistakes it helps avoid
- Measuring the ground only. Row and hoop covers need extra width for the sides and height, which the row and hoop modes add for you.
- Skipping the allowance. Netting cut exactly to size cannot be fixed and tensioned; 10 percent is a sensible default.
- Confusing area with rolls. Area is the start; use the Roll Layout Planner to turn it into strips and linear meters.
Related buying guide
Not sure which netting yet? See the buyer's guide or the Mesh Selector.
Frequently asked questions
Does the calculator give the exact roll size to order?
No. It estimates the total area. Netting is supplied in standard roll widths and lengths, so the final cut plan depends on the product. Send your result with a quote request and we will map it to real roll formats.
Which netting should I choose?
See our guide to choosing agricultural netting for mesh sizes, shade percentages and materials.