| Width (inches) | Square Feet | Linear Feet | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Square Feet: | 0.00 | ||
| Total Linear Feet: | 0.00 | ||
A Linear Feet Calculator helps you find the total length of material you need. Linear feet measure length only, not area or volume. This calculator is useful for boards, lumber, trim, molding, baseboard, pipe, wire, rope, fencing, carpet edges and many construction or DIY materials sold by length.
How To Calculate Linear Feet
The basic formula is: linear feet = length per piece x quantity. If you want extra material for cuts, mistakes or waste, add a waste percentage. For example, 8 ft boards x 12 pieces = 96 linear feet. With 10 percent extra, the total is 105.6 linear feet.
Square Feet To Linear Feet
If you know an area in square feet and the material width, you can calculate linear feet using this formula: linear feet = square feet / width in feet. If the width is in inches, convert width to feet first by dividing by 12. For example, 240 sq ft with 6 inch boards needs 480 linear feet before waste.
How To Use This Tool
- Use Length x Quantity mode when you know the length of each piece and the number of pieces.
- Use Area + Width mode when you know square feet and material width.
- Enter a waste percentage if you want extra material for cuts and mistakes.
- Read the total linear feet, base linear feet, extra feet, total inches and total yards.
What Is A Linear Foot?
A linear foot is one foot of length measured in a straight line. It does not depend on width or thickness. A 10 foot pipe, a 10 foot board and a 10 foot wire are all 10 linear feet, even though their shapes and widths are different.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is linear feet the same as square feet?
No. Linear feet measure length. Square feet measure area. You need width information to convert square feet into linear feet.
How many inches are in one linear foot?
One linear foot equals 12 inches.
Why add waste percentage?
Waste percentage helps cover cutting loss, damaged pieces, measurement mistakes and future repairs. Many projects use 5 to 15 percent extra depending on the material and layout.
Can I use this for lumber and trim?
Yes. This calculator works well for lumber, trim, molding, baseboard, decking boards and other materials measured by length.