THE NUMBERS, EXPLAINED
How to use this calculator.
One unmixed swatch per colour plus one unordered pairwise mix for every distinct colour pair. No repeated ratios or self-mixes are added.
Start with your inputs
Enter paint colours (count), swatch cell width (mm), swatch cell height (mm), sheet columns (count). Keep amounts in the units shown on each field. The example is a starting point, not a recommended value.
| Input | Example value |
|---|---|
| Paint colours (count) | 5 |
| Swatch cell width (mm) | 20 |
| Swatch cell height (mm) | 15 |
| Sheet columns (count) | 4 |
A worked example
With the example inputs above, pairwise mixed swatches is 10. Change the inputs to explore your own scenario.
| Result | Example answer |
|---|---|
| Pairwise mixed swatches | 10 |
| Total swatches | 15 |
| Sheet rows required | 4 |
| Grid size (mm) | 80 × 60 |
How this is calculated
Pairwise mixed swatches
Count unordered pairs of distinct colours.
Total swatches
Add pure-colour swatches.
Sheet rows required
Round swatches divided by columns up.
Grid size (mm)
Multiply grid columns and rows by cell dimensions.
Symbols and units
- a
- Paint colours (count)
- b
- Swatch cell width (mm)
- c
- Swatch cell height (mm)
- d
- Sheet columns (count)
Use the units shown. A list keeps the order in which you enter its values. The symbol ^ means “raised to the power of”.
Assumptions and limits
One unmixed swatch per colour plus one unordered pairwise mix for every distinct colour pair. No repeated ratios or self-mixes are added.
Calculations use the values you enter. Blank or invalid inputs show an error instead of silently substituting zero. Results are displayed to useful precision; calculations retain the underlying numeric precision.
Questions about this tool
What does the result tell me?
Pairwise mixed swatches; Total swatches; Sheet rows required; Grid size (mm). The result applies to the method and inputs described above. Check the units and assumptions before using it in a decision.
Why might another calculator differ?
Differences in units, rounding, timing or model definitions can produce different answers. Compare the input definitions and the method, rather than only the final number. For this tool: One unmixed swatch per colour plus one unordered pairwise mix for every distinct colour pair. No repeated ratios or self-mixes are added.
Are my inputs stored or sent to AI?
Calculations on this page happen in your browser. The separate AI question finder sends its submitted conversation to OpenAI; these calculator fields are not sent. Favourites and recent tool names are stored locally. A shared link contains the inputs you choose to include.
Further reading
OpenStax Prealgebra 2e — arithmetic and proportions ↗
Background reading; this does not imply endorsement or independent review of SumFizz.
Review status
Software example and browser checks are recorded in our quality report. No external expert review is claimed. Created with coding assistance; calculations run as ordinary browser code.
Read the quality report →