About this tool
The Paracord Length Calculator is a free, in-browser tool that estimates how much cord to cut or buy for a bracelet, lanyard, dog collar or other braided project. Choose the weave, enter the finished length, and it returns the cord needed in feet, metres and yards plus an approximate knot count — all computed on your device with nothing uploaded.
It uses the well-known rule of thumb that a standard cobra (Solomon bar) weave consumes about one foot of paracord for every inch of finished length. Denser weaves need more: a king cobra (a second cobra stitched over the first) roughly doubles that to about two feet per inch, a wide Solomon bar sits near 1.3, and an airier fishtail weave uses about 0.75. The tool multiplies your finished length by the weave factor, applies your waste percentage for the buckle, dropped ends and trimming, and multiplies by quantity so you can batch several identical pieces. Knot count is estimated at about four cobra knots per inch.
Actual usage varies with cord thickness, how tightly you knot, and the buckle or closure you use, so it is smart to keep the default waste buffer (about 15%) or add your own. When in doubt, round up — running short mid-braid means starting over.