Instant estimate + purchase planner
Get a useful cost range in seconds. Then replace each estimate with the exact products you want to buy.
A 13-item parts-only AR-15 core estimates at $485–$855 with budget-tier parts. A general-purpose setup with the recommended optic, mount, light, sling, magazines, and first 500 rounds estimates at $987–$1,672 at the budget tier or $1,751–$3,002 at the mid-range tier. Choose exact products to replace the estimates, account for what you own, and add tax, shipping, tools, or service fees.
The barrel, optic, and trigger can move the total quickly. Use the AR-15 barrel length guide to choose the right barrel for your use, then compare trigger types in the AR-15 trigger guide. The calculator lets you replace each broad range with the exact parts you plan to use.
Building your first rifle? Follow the first AR-15 build guide for the build order and required tools. When your budget is ready, open the rifle builder to check part compatibility and assemble the final list.
Pick what the rifle is for and the quality level you want. Toggle accessories to see the estimated low and high cost change immediately.
Turn the estimate into a parts list, then replace each category with a catalog product. Use the buying guides and tracked retailer links to compare your options.
Mark owned and purchased items, record what you paid, and add the tax, shipping, and fees still due. Save, share, or export the finished budget.
A 13-item parts-only AR-15 core estimates at $485–$855 with budget-tier parts. A general-purpose setup with the recommended optic, mount, light, sling, magazines, and first 500 rounds estimates at $987–$1,672 at the budget tier or $1,751–$3,002 at the mid-range tier. Exact products, sales, tax, shipping, and service fees change the final total.
The calculator's budget-tier rifle core starts at $485, so a parts-only plan can begin under $500. That range leaves out the optic, mount, accessories, ammunition, tax, shipping, and tools. Replace every estimate with the exact products you plan to use before treating $500 as the final cost.
The calculator estimates $1,751–$3,002 for a mid-range general-purpose parts list with the recommended optic, mount, light, sling, magazines, and first 500 rounds. Replace the ranges with exact products to track the price you can actually buy.
The quick estimate uses broad price ranges for each part category and quality level. After you choose an exact catalog product, the budget uses a recent in-stock offer when one is available and otherwise labels the catalog price as an estimate. You can enter your own quote at any time.
A basic tool set includes an armorer's wrench, punch set, torque wrench, vise block, and hammer. Your barrel nut or handguard may require its own wrench. Follow each part maker's instructions and torque values, and add any tools you need as custom expenses in the calculator.
The answer depends on the exact parts and factory rifle you compare. A build may reuse parts you own and gives you control over each component. A factory rifle arrives assembled and may include support or warranty coverage. Compare the build's exact products, tools, tax, shipping, and fees against the full price of the factory rifle.
Set the item's status to Already owned. It stays on your list and is excluded from spending. Use Purchased for items you bought for this project, and enter what you actually paid. Those amounts count toward the total budget.
Enter the costs you still expect to pay in Tax, shipping & other costs. The tax estimate applies to items marked To buy. Record any tax and shipping already paid in your purchased item costs so you count each expense once. Use your actual checkout figures when they become available.
Changes save automatically in this browser. Export a budget file to keep a backup or move the list to another device, or export a CSV for a spreadsheet. A shared link includes your item names, purchase status and entered costs. Saved builds can be imported when you are signed in.
This calculator tracks the cost of items you select. Use the builder to check product fit. Importing a saved build copies its selected products into a budget and leaves the saved build unchanged.