Measure once and choose liners that truly fit. Avoid spills with fold and tuck math. Print or export results for your garden routine anytime.
Use this as a quick reference when comparing tray styles and liner packs.
| Tray type | Tray (L×W×D) | Common liner (L×W×H) | Typical result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open pan | 48×38×14 cm | 58×48×35 cm | Perfect to Tight |
| High-wall pan | 55×42×20 cm | 70×55×45 cm | Perfect |
| Covered box | 52×40×18 cm | 65×50×40 cm | Tight (needs more height) |
| Corner tray | 45×45×16 cm | 60×50×40 cm | Loose (extra folds) |
In mixed-use areas like potting sheds and greenhouse corners, an ill-fitting liner slips, exposes litter, and increases tracked debris. A correct fit creates a smoother rim wrap, reduces spillover during scooping, and cuts cleanup time. When the rim stays sealed, fewer granules migrate onto walkways, benches, and stored tools.
This calculator uses tray length, width, and depth plus tuck and drawstring allowance to model how much film is consumed by folding. Adding 2×depth accounts for both vertical walls, while tuck allowance supports clips or rim tucks. A safety margin helps when trays flex or when liners vary by batch. Measuring inside dimensions, not exterior walls, avoids underestimation on thick plastic pans.
Corner folding is the hidden variable for rectangular pans. Thin, gusseted liners can redistribute slack, while stiff liners “bridge” at corners and lose usable length. The corner fold factor scales the required flat dimensions so you can compensate for rigid material, high walls, or wide radiused corners without oversizing excessively. For covered boxes, a slightly higher factor reduces bunching that can lift the lid edge.
Some liners claim stretch, but practical stretch is limited once weight and moisture are involved. The stretch input adjusts effective liner dimensions conservatively, while the required height calculation adds drawstring allowance for tying and folding. Together, these inputs help prevent tearing at the rim and reduce the chance of liner collapse.
The result summary highlights length, width, and height adequacy and provides a fit grade, so you can standardize purchases across multiple trays. Exporting CSV supports inventory tracking for seasonal gardening routines. Choosing a closer fit typically reduces excess plastic, improves odor containment in enclosed areas, and lowers replacement frequency over time. Keeping a preferred liner size noted in your shed log helps maintain consistent overall hygiene during busy planting weeks.
Use the tray’s maximum inside length and width, then set a modest corner fold factor. Rounded corners usually need less slack than sharp corners, so you can reduce the factor after one test fit.
Start at 0.08 for thin gusseted liners, 0.12 for standard flat liners, and 0.18 for stiff liners or high-wall pans. Increase in small steps until the rim stays fully covered.
Yes. Measure the bag’s flat width and flat length as listed on the pack, then enter height or gusset depth separately. Avoid measuring a stretched or inflated bag, which overstates usable size.
Tuck allowance accounts for clips, rim folds, or overlap under a hood. Safety margin covers variability in tray shape, liner thickness, and your tying style, reducing tears and slip-outs during scooping.
Yes, the geometry is similar for many bins. Enter the bin’s internal dimensions and keep safety margin slightly higher for rough edges. For heavy loads, prioritize height and tuck to prevent rim pull-down.
It is a conservative adjustment to reflect limited real-world stretch. If the liner brand is unknown, keep stretch at 0–3%. Only use higher values when you have tested the liner under load without tearing.
Important Note: All the Calculators listed in this site are for educational purpose only and we do not guarentee the accuracy of results. Please do consult with other sources as well.