Clay Calculator
A Reference Guide for Getting Started
If you have questions like…
⊡ What’s the standard size of a serving bowl?
⊡ What’s the recommended wall thickness for different projects?
⊡ How much porcelain is needed for a coffee mug?
⊡ How much stoneware is needed for a dinner plate?
⊡ I'm in a creative rut, what should I create today?
This guide is here to answer that! It provides standard dimensions, weight, wall thickness, and estimated clay amounts for various ceramic pieces. Whether you're planning a new project or refining your process, this reference serves as a reliable starting point to determine the right size and amount of clay needed.
Click on any project name to see detailed information pop-up below. The data includes typical sizes for porcelain, stoneware, and earthenware, so you can adjust your clay amounts based on your preferred material.
Tip: Don't forget to factor in clay shrinkage! Use the Dimensions Calculator before you start building.
KITCHENWARES
Beer Glass 
| dimensions | 3-4 inches (8-10 cm) diameter, 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) height |
| weight | 0.5-1 lbs (225-450 g) |
| wall thickness | 1/8-1/4 inch (3-6 mm) |
| clay needed | porcelain: 1-1.5 lbs (450-680 g) stoneware: 1.5-2 lbs (680-900 g) earthenware: 2-2.5 lbs (900-1150 g) |
Butter Dish 
| dimensions | 6 to 7 inches (15-18 cm) length 3 to 4 inches (7.5-10 cm) width 2 to 3 inches (5-7.5 cm) height |
| weight | 1-2 lbs (450-900 g) |
| wall thickness | 1/8-1/4 inch (3-6 mm) |
| clay needed | porcelain: 2-2.5 lbs (900-1150 g) stoneware: 2.5-3 lbs (1150-1350 g) earthenware: 3-3.5 lbs (1350-1600 g) |
Cereal/Soup Bowl 
| dimensions | 5-7 inches (12-18 cm) diameter, 2.5-4 inches (6-10 cm) height |
| weight | 0.75-1.5 lbs (340-680 g) |
| wall thickness | 1/8-1/4 inch (3-6 mm) |
| clay needed | porcelain: 1.5-2 lbs (680-900 g) stoneware: 2-2.5 lbs (900-1150 g) earthenware: 2.5-3 lbs (1150-1360 g) |
Chemex Coffeemaker [6 Cup] 
| dimensions | 5-6 inches (12-15 cm) diameter, 8.5-9.5 inches (21-24 cm) height |
| weight | 1.5-2.5 lbs (680-1130 g) |
| wall thickness | 1/8-1/4 inch (3-6 mm) |
| clay needed | porcelain: 2.5-3 lbs (1130-1360 g) stoneware: 3-4 lbs (1360-1800 g) earthenware: 4-5 lbs (1800-2250 g) |
Coaster 
| dimensions | 3.5-4 inches (9-10 cm) diameter, 0.25-0.5 inches (0.6-1.3 cm) height |
| weight | 0.1-0.15 lbs (45-70 g) |
| wall thickness | 1/8 inch (3 mm) |
| clay needed | porcelain: 0.2-0.3 lbs (90-140 g) stoneware: 0.25-0.35 lbs (115-160 g) earthenware: 0.3-0.4 lbs (140-180 g) |
Coffee Mug 
| dimensions | 3-4 inches (8-10 cm) diameter, 3.5-4.5 inches (9-11.5 cm) height |
| weight | 0.75-1.25 lbs (340-570 g) |
| wall thickness | 1/8-1/4 inch (3-6 mm) |
| clay needed | porcelain: 1.5-2 lbs (680-900 g) stoneware: 2-2.5 lbs (900-1150 g) earthenware: 2.5-3 lbs (1150-1360 g) |
Dessert Plate 
| dimensions | 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) diameter, 0.5-1 inch (1.5-2.5 cm) height |
| weight | 0.5-1 lbs (225-450 g) |
| wall thickness | 1/8-1/4 inch (3-6 mm) |
| clay needed | porcelain: 1-1.5 lbs (450-680 g) stoneware: 1.5-2 lbs (680-900 g) earthenware: 2-2.5 lbs (900-1150 g) |
Dinner Plate
| dimensions | 8-10 inches (20-25 cm) diameter, 0.75-1 inch (2-2.5 cm) height |
| weight | 1-2 lbs (450-900 g) |
| wall thickness | 1/8-1/4 inch (3-6 mm) |
| clay needed | porcelain: 2-3 lbs (900-1360 g) stoneware: 2.5-3 lbs (1150-1360 g) earthenware: 3-3.5 lbs (1360-1600 g) |
Espresso Cup 
| dimensions | 2.5-3 inches (6-8 cm) diameter, 2-2.5 inches (5-6 cm) height |
| weight | 0.25-0.4 lbs (110-180 g) |
| wall thickness | 1/8-1/4 inch (3-6 mm) |
| clay needed | porcelain: 0.5-0.75 lbs (225-340 g) stoneware: 0.75-1 lb (340-450 g) earthenware: 1-1.25 lbs (450-570 g) |
French Butter Dish 
| dimensions | 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) diameter, 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm) height (base) 5-7 inches (12-18 cm) diameter (lid) |
| weight | 1-2 lbs (450-900 g) |
| wall thickness | 1/8-1/4 inch (3-6 mm) |
| clay needed | porcelain: 2-2.5 lbs (900-1150 g) stoneware: 2.5-3 lbs (1150-1350 g) earthenware: 3-3.5 lbs (1350-1600 g) |
Pitcher 
| dimensions | 5-7 inches (12-18 cm) diameter, 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) height |
| weight | 1-2 lbs (450-900 g) |
| wall thickness | 1/8-1/4 inch (3-6 mm) |
| clay needed | porcelain: 2-3 lbs (900-1360 g) stoneware: 3-4 lbs (1360-1800 g) earthenware: 4-5 lbs (1800-2250 g) |
Salad Plate
| dimensions | 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) diameter, 0.5-1 inch (1.5-2.5 cm) height |
| weight | 0.75-1.5 lbs (340-680 g) |
| wall thickness | 1/8-1/4 inch (3-6 mm) |
| clay needed | porcelain: 1.5-2 lbs (680-900 g) stoneware: 2-2.5 lbs (900-1150 g) earthenware: 2.5-3 lbs (1150-1360 g) |
Serving Bowl
| dimensions | 8-10 inches (20-25 cm) diameter, 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) height |
| weight | 2-3 lbs (900-1360 g) |
| wall thickness | 1/8-1/4 inch (3-6 mm) |
| clay needed | porcelain: 4-5 lbs (1800-2250 g) stoneware: 5-6 lbs (2250-2700 g) earthenware: 6-7 lbs (2700-3150 g) |
Tea Cup 
| dimensions | 2.5-3 inches (6-8 cm) diameter, 2.5-3 inches (6-8 cm) height |
| weight | 0.25-0.5 lbs (110-225 g) |
| wall thickness | 1/8-1/4 inch (3-6 mm) |
| clay needed | porcelain: 0.5-0.75 lbs (225-340 g) stoneware: 0.75-1 lb (340-450 g) earthenware: 1-1.25 lbs (450-570 g) |
Tea Pot 
| dimensions | 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) diameter, 5-7 inches (12-18 cm) height |
| weight | 2-3 lbs (900-1360 g) |
| wall thickness | 1/8-1/4 inch (3-6 mm) |
| clay needed | porcelain: 3-4 lbs (1360-1800 g) stoneware: 4-5 lbs (1800-2250 g) earthenware: 5-6 lbs (2250-2700 g) |
Tumbler 
| dimensions | 3-4 inches (8-10 cm) diameter, 4-5 inches (10-13 cm) height |
| weight | 0.5-1 lbs (225-450 g) |
| wall thickness | 1/8-1/4 inch (3-6 mm) |
| clay needed | porcelain: 1-1.5 lbs (450-680 g) stoneware: 1.5-2 lbs (680-900 g) earthenware: 2-2.5 lbs (900-1150 g) |
Whiskey Glass 
| dimensions | 3-3.5 inches (7.5-9 cm) diameter, 3.5-4 inches (9-10 cm) height |
| weight | 0.5-0.75 lbs (225-340 g) |
| wall thickness | 1/8-1/4 inch (3-6 mm) |
| clay needed | porcelain: 0.75-1 lbs (340-450 g) stoneware: 1-1.25 lbs (450-570 g) earthenware: 1.25-1.5 lbs (570-680 g) |
Wine Glass 
| dimensions | 3-4 inches (8-10 cm) diameter, 7-9 inches (18-23 cm) height |
| weight | 0.75-1.5 lbs (340-680 g) |
| wall thickness | 1/8-1/4 inch (3-6 mm) |
| clay needed | porcelain: 1.5-2 lbs (680-900 g) stoneware: 2-2.5 lbs (900-1150 g) earthenware: 2.5-3 lbs (1150-1360 g) |
Yunomi
| dimensions | 3-4 inches (8-10 cm) diameter, 4-5 inches (10-13 cm) height |
| weight | 0.5-1 lbs (225-450 g) |
| wall thickness | 1/8-1/4 inch (3-6 mm) |
| clay needed | porcelain: 1-1.5 lbs (450-680 g) stoneware: 1.5-2 lbs (680-900 g) earthenware: 2-2.5 lbs (900-1150 g) |
HOMEWARES
Candlestick Holder 
| dimensions | 0.75-1 inch (2-2.5 cm) inner diameter, 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) height |
| weight | 0.5-1 lbs (225-450 g) |
| wall thickness | 1/8-1/4 inch (3-6 mm) |
| clay needed | porcelain: 1-1.25 lbs (450-570 g) stoneware: 1.25-1.5 lbs (570-680 g) earthenware: 1.5-2 lbs (680-900 g) |
Incense Holder 
| dimensions | 2.5-4 inches (6-10 cm) diameter, 0.5-1 inch (1.5-2.5 cm) height, 0.125-0.25 inch (3-6 mm) incense hole diameter |
| weight | 0.1-0.25 lbs (45-110 g) |
| wall thickness | 1/8-1/4 inch (3-6 mm) |
| clay needed | porcelain: 0.25-0.4 lbs (110-180 g) stoneware: 0.4-0.5 lbs (180-225 g) earthenware: 0.5-0.6 lbs (225-270 g) |
Lamp Shade 
| dimensions | 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) diameter, 6-10 inches (15-25 cm) height, 1-1.5 inches (2.5-3.8 cm) bulb opening diameter |
| weight | 1-2 lbs (450-900 g) |
| wall thickness | 1/8-1/4 inch (3-6 mm) |
| clay needed | porcelain: 2-3 lbs (900-1350 g) stoneware: 3-3.5 lbs (1350-1575 g) earthenware: 3.5-4 lbs (1575-1800 g) |
Side Table 
| dimensions | 16-20 inches (40-50 cm) diameter, 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) height |
| weight | 10-20 lbs (4.5-9 kg) |
| wall thickness | 1/4-1/2 inch (6-12 mm) |
| clay needed | porcelain: 18-25 lbs (8-11.5 kg) stoneware: 20-28 lbs (9-12.5 kg) earthenware: 25-30 lbs (11.5-13.5 kg) |
Vase 
| dimensions | 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) diameter, 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) height |
| weight | 1-3 lbs (450-1360 g) |
| wall thickness | 1/8-1/4 inch (3-6 mm) |
| clay needed | porcelain: 3-4 lbs (1360-1800 g) stoneware: 4-5 lbs (1800-2250 g) earthenware: 5-6 lbs (2250-2700 g) |