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Interior & Insulation

Insulation Calculator

Estimate blown-in attic or wall insulation. Enter the area to cover and your target R-value to get the required depth, the number of bags, and an estimated material cost.

Reviewed by The CostToUpgrade Estimating Desk Last reviewed How we estimate

Your project

Area
Insulation

Most attics call for R-38–R-49 depending on climate zone; exterior walls are typically R-13–R-21.

Pricing

Blown-in fiberglass insulation bags commonly run $15–$22 each.

Estimate

38bags

Bags needed · Blown-in fiberglass, ≈30 ft³ yield per bag

Area to cover
900ft²
Required depth
15.2in
Estimated material cost
$684.00

Estimates are guidance only and exclude tax, labor, and site conditions unless stated. Confirm with a local pro.

How it's calculated

No black boxes — here is the exact math behind your estimate, so you can check it or adapt it for your own quote.

  1. 1Required depth (in) = R-value ÷ 2.5 (R-value per inch for blown-in fiberglass)
  2. 2Volume (ft³) = area × (depth ÷ 12)
  3. 3Bags = ⌈ volume (ft³) ÷ 30 ⌉ (≈30 ft³ net coverage per bag)
  4. 4Cost = bags × price per bag

Worked example

A 30 ft × 30 ft attic insulated to R-38.

Inputs

Area length
30 ft
Area width
30 ft
Target R-value
38
Price per bag
18 $/bag

Result

Bags needed
38 bags
Area to cover
900 ft²
Required depth
15.2 in
Estimated material cost
$684.00

Tools & materials for this project

As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.

  • Insulation rolls Faced batts for walls, ceilings, and floors.
  • Blown-in insulation Loose-fill for topping up attic coverage.
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Insulation cost by state

The calculator does the quantity math exactly. What it can't know is what a fair unit price looks like where you live — attic insulation runs 61% more in the priciest US market than the cheapest.

Insulation cost in all 50 states + DC US average $2.00 per square foot installed · regional averages, full ranked table, and typical project totals.

Frequently asked questions

How much insulation do I need for my attic?
Multiply the attic floor area by the depth needed for your target R-value (depth = R-value ÷ 2.5 for blown-in fiberglass), then divide by the bag’s coverage volume — about 30 ft³ per bag. A 900 ft² attic insulated to R-38 needs roughly 38 bags.
What R-value do I need?
Most US climate zones recommend R-38 to R-49 for attics and R-13 to R-21 for exterior walls. Check your local energy code or a DOE climate zone map for the exact recommendation in your area.
Does this work for batt insulation too?
This estimates blown-in loose-fill coverage. Batt insulation is sized to fit stud or joist bays directly and is sold by the roll or pack rather than the bag, so the bag count won’t apply — but the square footage figure still tells you how much batt material to buy.