Clay Shrinkage Calculator
Calculate wet clay dimensions, bisque shrinkage, and final fired dimensions for pottery and ceramic craft production.
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Calculate required wet dimension for a target fired size, or predict fired size from wet clay.
Includes presets for earthenware (8%), stoneware (12%), and porcelain (14%).
Calculates tolerances for jar lids and gallery lip fittings.
Calculating Ceramic Clay Shrinkage
Clay loses volume as water evaporates during drying and as silica particles vitrify during high-temperature kiln firing. Calculating shrinkage rates ensures finished pottery pieces meet exact dimensional specifications.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is ceramic clay shrinkage percentage calculated?
Clay shrinkage percentage is calculated using wet vs fired dimensions: Shrinkage % = ((Wet Dimension - Fired Dimension) / Wet Dimension) * 100.
What is the average shrinkage rate for stoneware and porcelain?
Stoneware and porcelain clays typically shrink between 10% and 15% from wet throw dimension through bisque and final Cone 6 - Cone 10 firing.