Exact dragon scale counts, jump ring counts (2 per scale + 10% buffer), finished weight, and DIY material cost. Free, no signup.
Scale coverage depends on overlap, not scale footprint. Large scales (0.875" x 1.41") cover about 300 per square foot once woven. Small scales (0.50" x 0.88") need about 1,000 per square foot. Each scale hangs on 2 jump rings, and every builder loses or scraps a few, so the calculator adds a 10% ring buffer.
Large scales, aluminum, standard coverage:
| Project | Coverage | Scales | Rings | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drawstring Dice Bag (Small) | 60 sq in | 125 | 275 | 0.38 lbs |
| Giant Dice Bag / Pouch | 110 sq in | 229 | 504 | 0.69 lbs |
| Single Wrist Gauntlet / Bracer | 85 sq in | 177 | 389 | 0.53 lbs |
| Single Shoulder Pauldron | 144 sq in | 300 | 660 | 0.90 lbs |
| Scale Armor Halter Top | 320 sq in | 666 | 1,465 | 2.00 lbs |
A small drawstring dice bag covers about 60 square inches. With large scales (0.875" x 1.41") that is roughly 125 scales and 275 jump rings. A giant pouch roughly doubles it.
Large scales run about 300 per square foot of coverage. Small scales run about 1,000 per square foot, because each one covers far less area after overlap.
Large scales pair with 18g SWG 1/4" ID jump rings. Small scales pair with 18g SWG 3/16" ID. Plan on 2 rings per scale plus about 10% spare.
Aluminum scales run about 0.003 lbs per large scale assembled, so a 300-scale pauldron is roughly 0.9 lbs. Polycarbonate scales are about 40% lighter, which matters for full torso pieces.
Aluminum for the metal look, anodized color range, and durability. Polycarbonate for weight savings on wearables and for builders who want easy hole-punching. Full comparison in our guide.
We sell the counts above as a single box. The Dice Bag Project Bundle ships 150 scales and 350 rings; the Pauldron Bundle ships 320 and 700. Same numbers this calculator just gave you, with working margin built in.