We show that the use of a recently derived, simple and accurate, universal equation for the electronic stopping of ions in solids, together with a simple projected range algorithm (PRAL) derived by Biersack, leads to an easy and reliable means to evaluate projected ranges of ions in solids for non-relativistic velocities. The mathematical simplicity, accuracy and physical clarity in using these two formalisms makes them very useful in practice. Good agreement is observed with experiment and with calculations based on transport theory.