Cat Litter Calculator
Estimate how much litter you need (per week/month) and how many litter boxes to have — based on your cats, box size, fill depth, and cleaning schedule.
Quick answer
Rule of thumb for litter boxes
A common guideline is one box per cat, plus one extra. This calculator shows that recommendation and also estimates how much litter you’ll go through.
Inputs
Litter box setup
Set 0 to use the recommendation.
Common range: 2–4 inches.
Example: every 2–4 weeks.
Maintenance
More scooping = less odor and often less waste.
How much new litter you add between full changes.
Optional: bags & cost
How this calculator works (formulas)
We estimate two things: (1) how many litter boxes to have and (2) how much litter you’ll use per week/month.
Litter box recommendation
Recommended boxes = number of cats + 1
This is a guideline. Your home layout and your cats’ preferences can change the ideal number.
Litter usage estimate
- Fill per box is estimated from box size and fill depth.
- Full change usage = (fill per box × boxes used) ÷ change cycle.
- Top-off usage adds extra litter between full changes (depends on your top-off factor).
This is a practical estimator. Actual usage varies by litter type, tracking, humidity, and cat habits.
FAQ
How many litter boxes should I have?
A common guideline is one box per cat, plus one extra. Some homes do well with fewer, but picky cats or multi-floor layouts often benefit from additional boxes.
How often should I change all the litter?
It depends on litter type and how often you scoop. Many people do a full change every 2–4 weeks for clumping litter. Non-clumping may require more frequent full changes. Adjust the “full change” value to match your routine.
Why does litter usage vary so much?
Usage depends on cats per box, box size, fill depth, how often you scoop, tracking outside the box, and litter type. This calculator gives a practical estimate you can refine with your real-world usage.