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Clay test shrinkage planner

Turn a measured test bar into the wet forming size for a finished ceramic piece.

This tool is archived. Recheck its method and dated data before use.

01Enter your values

Runs in your browser

Runs offline in your browser. Once the page and required files have loaded, processing needs no internet.

For ceramic studios: measure the same bar wet, dry and fired in mm, then enter the target fired size. Each shrinkage uses its starting length; target × wet / fired gives the forming size. Match clay, direction and firing. Negative shrinkage means expansion; this does not certify strength or fit.

Example
mm
mm
mm
mm

How it works

Turn a measured test bar into the wet forming size for a finished ceramic piece.

Forming size = Target fired size × Wet length ÷ Fired length

Runs in your browser

Discovery source

Your data stays yours

Inputs are processed on this page and are never sent to a server.

About this tool

Turn a measured test bar into the wet forming size for a finished ceramic piece.

For ceramic studios: measure the same bar wet, dry and fired in mm, then enter the target fired size. Each shrinkage uses its starting length; target × wet / fired gives the forming size. Match clay, direction and firing. Negative shrinkage means expansion; this does not certify strength or fit.

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How to use it
  1. Enter your values
    • Wet length
    • Dry length
    • Fired length
    • Target fired size
  2. Calculation method

    Forming size = Target fired size × Wet length ÷ Fired length

  3. Example scenario · Result

    250 mm

Calculation method

  1. For ceramic studios: measure the same bar wet, dry and fired in mm, then enter the target fired size.
  2. Each shrinkage uses its starting length; target × wet / fired gives the forming size.
  3. Match clay, direction and firing.
  4. Negative shrinkage means expansion; this does not certify strength or fit.
Forming size = Target fired size × Wet length ÷ Fired length
Example scenario

Clay test shrinkage planner

Wet length
100 mm
Dry length
95 mm
Fired length
88 mm
Target fired size
220 mm
Result
250 mm

Frequently asked questions

Why not simply add the shrinkage percentage?

A 12% shrinkage retains 88%: divide the target by 0.88, rather than multiply by 1.12.

Where does my data go?

Calculations run on your device. Form inputs are not sent to a server.

Terms and definitions

Enter your values

Measurement system

The initial choice follows your browser region. Your choice is remembered on this device. Gallons are US gallons. Switching units keeps your numbers unchanged and interprets them in the new unit.

Numbers stay unchanged. Check the new unit and enter the intended measurement, or select an example for that system.

Wet length

Each shrinkage uses its starting length; target × wet / fired gives the forming size.

Enter a numerical value for this quantity. Use the unit shown beside this field. mm / in

Minimum: 0.001 · Maximum: 1000000 mm

Dry length

Each shrinkage uses its starting length; target × wet / fired gives the forming size.

Enter a numerical value for this quantity. Use the unit shown beside this field. mm / in

Minimum: 0.001 · Maximum: 1000000 mm

Fired length

Each shrinkage uses its starting length; target × wet / fired gives the forming size.

Enter a numerical value for this quantity. Use the unit shown beside this field. mm / in

Minimum: 0.001 · Maximum: 1000000 mm

Target fired size

Enter a numerical value for this quantity. Use the unit shown beside this field. mm / in

Minimum: 0.001 · Maximum: 1000000 mm

Result

Result

For ceramic studios: measure the same bar wet, dry and fired in mm, then enter the target fired size. Each shrinkage uses its starting length; target × wet / fired gives the forming size. Match clay, direction and firing. Negative shrinkage means expansion; this does not certify strength or fit.

Calculated from your entries using the method below.

Total shrinkage

Each shrinkage uses its starting length; target × wet / fired gives the forming size.

Calculated from your entries using the method below.

Forming scale

Each shrinkage uses its starting length; target × wet / fired gives the forming size.

Calculated from your entries using the method below.

Value

For ceramic studios: measure the same bar wet, dry and fired in mm, then enter the target fired size. Each shrinkage uses its starting length; target × wet / fired gives the forming size. Match clay, direction and firing. Negative shrinkage means expansion; this does not certify strength or fit.

Calculated from your entries using the method below.

Common mistakes and quick fixes

Wet length · Dry length · Fired length

Mistake: Changing units and assuming the entered numbers were converted.

Fix: Numbers stay unchanged. Check the new unit and enter the intended measurement, or select an example for that system.

Why not simply add the shrinkage percentage?

Mistake: Treating a result as valid outside the described scope.

Fix: A 12% shrinkage retains 88%: divide the target by 0.88, rather than multiply by 1.12.

Limits and key assumptions

  • A 12% shrinkage retains 88%: divide the target by 0.88, rather than multiply by 1.12.
  • Negative shrinkage means expansion; this does not certify strength or fit.
  • Displayed results may be rounded; rounding does not add measurement precision.

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