1. What is Clay Shrinkage?

Clay shrinkage refers to the reduction in size that occurs when clay dries and loses moisture. This natural process is important to measure for ceramic artists and potters to anticipate final dimensions of their work.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the shrinkage formula:

Where:

• Wet size — Measurement of clay piece before drying (cm)
• Dry size — Measurement of clay piece after drying (cm)

Explanation: The formula calculates the percentage reduction in size from the wet to dry state.

3. Importance of Measuring Shrinkage

Details: Understanding shrinkage rates helps artists create pieces that will be the correct size after firing, plan for glazing, and maintain consistency in production work.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Measure your wet clay piece precisely in centimeters, then measure again after complete drying. Enter both values to calculate the shrinkage percentage.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why does clay shrink?
A: Clay shrinks as water evaporates from between the clay particles during drying and firing.

Q2: What's a typical shrinkage rate?
A: Most clays shrink 5-12%, but this varies by clay body and firing temperature.

Q3: Should I measure before or after bisque firing?
A: For total shrinkage, measure after final firing. For drying shrinkage only, measure after air drying.

Q4: Does shrinkage affect all dimensions equally?
A: Clay shrinks proportionally in all directions, though thick pieces may shrink slightly differently than thin ones.

Q5: How can I compensate for shrinkage?
A: Create pieces larger than desired final size, using your known shrinkage rate to calculate needed oversizing.