Target Wet Size Calculator
Enter the fired size you’re aiming for and your clay’s shrinkage rate to find the size to make it at now.
Target fired size and known shrinkage rate
Don’t know your clay’s shrinkage rate? Check the typical ranges by clay type or your manufacturer’s data sheet.
Make it: 10 wet
Frequently asked questions
- Why can't I just make it the size I want?
- Clay shrinks 5-16% or more between wet and fired, depending on the body — a mug needing to fit a specific lid, a tile meant to match a grid, or a piece replacing a broken original all need to be made oversized by exactly the right amount to land on target after firing.
- What if I don't know my clay's exact shrinkage percentage?
- Use the reference chart for a typical range by clay type as a starting estimate, then confirm with a real test tile once you can — see the shrinkage percentage calculator. For anything where the final size really matters (a lid, a fitted piece), always confirm with your own test rather than a published range.