Cutting
Cut with a single confident pass of a sharp round knife held vertically. Repeated shallow passes wander and leave a stepped edge that no amount of sanding fully hides.
12
Free calculators
26
Journal articles
4
Bench categories
0
Accounts required
How a project runs through the bench
Three stages, each with the numbers worked out before anything irreversible happens.
01
Plan the material
Estimate hide consumption, nesting waste and total area before you buy, so a project never stalls one panel short.
Consumption estimator →02
Set out the cut
Scale patterns, size belts and convert thickness between ounces and millimetres so every panel is right the first time.
Pattern scaling →03
Stitch and finish
Work out hole spacing, thread length, dye volume and drying windows before the needle or the brush comes out.
Thread calculator →Popular calculators by use case
Straight entry points grouped the way work actually happens at the bench — cutting, stitching, then estimating and finishing.
Cutting & hide layout
Work out how much leather a job eats before you open the roll.
Stitching & seams
Lay out holes and cut thread once, at the right length.
Material estimating & finishing
Dye volume, drying windows, thickness and maintenance intervals.
Leather of the Day
English Bridle Leather
A new classic leather every day, with the numbers that matter at the cutting mat.
- Thickness
- 3.4 - 4.4 mm (9 - 11 oz)
- Finish
- Wax and tallow stuffed, semi-matte with a bloom
- Durability
- Exceptional — the traditional harness standard
- Best for
- Belts, dog leads, straps, bridle and saddlery work
Popular Tools
The six calculators makers reach for most often.
Stitching & Hardware
Stitching Thread Length Calculator
Work out how much waxed thread a saddle-stitched seam really needs.
Open tool →Material CalculationLeather Consumption Estimator
Estimate the hide area a project needs before you buy leather.
Open tool →Stitching & HardwareBelt Length Calculator
Cut a belt to the right blank length with correctly spaced holes.
Open tool →Stitching & HardwareStitch Hole Spacing Calculator
Balance stitch holes across an edge with even end margins.
Open tool →Material CalculationLeather Thickness Unit Converter
Convert between ounces, millimetres and inches instantly.
Open tool →Dyeing & FinishingLeather Dye Dosage Estimator
Mix the right amount of dye for the area and number of coats.
Open tool →Tool Categories
Every tool on the site, grouped by bench task.
Cutting & Pattern
Plan patterns, scale templates and keep your cutting layout tight.
Stitching & Hardware
Thread length, hole spacing, belt holes and hardware counts.
Dyeing & Finishing
Dye volume, burnishing time and long-term leather care planning.
Material Calculation
Hide consumption, waste rate and international unit conversion.
Leathercraft Tips
Edge finishing
Bevel, sand to 800 grit, damp the edge, burnish, then repeat once more. The second cycle compacts fibres that the first one only raised.
Leather care
Condition sparingly and let each application absorb for a full day. Two light coats beat one heavy coat, which leaves leather greasy and attracts dust.
Bench Quick Reference
The two tables makers look up most often, without opening a calculator.
Leather weight to thickness
| Weight | Thickness | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 oz | 0.4–0.8 mm | Linings, card slot panels, appliqué |
| 3–4 oz | 1.2–1.6 mm | Wallets, pouches, light bag panels |
| 5–6 oz | 2.0–2.4 mm | Bag bodies, watch straps, knife sheaths |
| 7–8 oz | 2.8–3.2 mm | Belts, dog collars, tool rolls |
| 9–10 oz | 3.6–4.0 mm | Heavy belts, holsters, saddlery |
Stitch spacing and thread
| Spacing | SPI | Thread | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 mm | ≈ 12 SPI | 0.45 mm | Fine wallets, card holders |
| 2.7 mm | ≈ 9 SPI | 0.55 mm | Small goods, bag panels |
| 3.0 mm | ≈ 8 SPI | 0.6 mm | General purpose |
| 3.85 mm | ≈ 6.5 SPI | 0.8 mm | Belts, straps, sheaths |
| 5.0 mm | ≈ 5 SPI | 1.0 mm | Harness and saddlery |
From the Journal
26 long-form workshop guides, free to read.
Material Calculation
Storing Leather Properly: Humidity, Light, Rolls and Records
Leather that has been stored badly is expensive material turned into scrap. Simple storage discipline protects both the hide and your ability to find the right piece when you need it.
6 August 2026 · 10 min read
Stitching & Hardware
Hand Stitching Versus Machine: Strength, Speed and Honest Economics
The saddle stitch is genuinely stronger than a lockstitch, and that fact is genuinely irrelevant to many products. Here is how to decide which seam belongs on which item.
5 August 2026 · 10 min read
Cutting & Pattern
Adhesives for Leatherwork: What Holds, What Slips, What Ruins Grain
Glue in leatherwork is an assembly aid, not a structural bond — except when it is. Knowing which adhesive to reach for and how to prepare the surface saves whole projects.
4 August 2026 · 10 min read
Workshop Glossary
Terms that appear across the tools and the journal, in plain language.
- Casing
- Controlled damping of vegetable tanned leather so it can be tooled or moulded and hold the shape when dry.
- Skiving
- Removing thickness from the flesh side, usually along an edge, so folds and overlaps do not build bulk.
- Burnishing
- Fusing edge fibres with friction, heat and moisture into a hard glassy surface. Vegetable tanned leather only.
- SPI
- Stitches per inch — the traditional way pricking irons are sized. Chisels are usually sold in millimetres instead.
- Temper
- How firm or soft a hide feels. Firm temper suits straps and structure; soft temper suits linings and drape.
- Pull-up
- The lightening of colour where oil- or wax-stuffed leather is flexed, as the finish migrates away from the bend.
Common Questions
Do I need an account to use the calculators?
No. Every tool runs entirely in your browser, nothing is stored on a server, and there is no sign-up, paywall or usage limit.
Which units do the tools work in?
Both. Thickness converts between ounces, millimetres and irons; area converts between square feet, square decimetres and square metres. Enter whatever your supplier quotes.
How accurate are the material estimates?
They give a planning figure, not a guarantee. Hide shape, grading and your own nesting skill all move the result, so the waste calculator lets you set your own allowance.
Can I use the results for commercial work?
Yes. The calculators are free for hobby and professional use alike. Always confirm critical dimensions on a test piece before cutting expensive leather.