Linear Feet Calculator

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Linear Feet Calculator

Inches Feet
Total Linear Feet: 0 LF
Total Estimated Cost: $0.00
function calculateLinearFeet() { var length = parseFloat(document.getElementById('itemLength').value); var unit = document.getElementById('unitType').value; var qty = parseFloat(document.getElementById('quantity').value); var price = parseFloat(document.getElementById('pricePerFoot').value); var resultArea = document.getElementById('lf-result-area'); var costArea = document.getElementById('costDisplay'); if (isNaN(length) || length <= 0) { alert("Please enter a valid length."); return; } if (isNaN(qty) || qty 0) { var totalPrice = totalInFeet * price; document.getElementById('totalCost').innerText = totalPrice.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2}); costArea.style.display = 'block'; } else { costArea.style.display = 'none'; } }

Understanding Linear Feet

A linear foot is a measure of length that is exactly 12 inches long. Unlike square feet, which measures area (length x width), or cubic feet, which measures volume, linear feet only measures a straight line. This measurement is critical in industries like construction, lumber, flooring, and shipping.

How to Calculate Linear Feet

The calculation depends on whether you are measuring in inches or feet. Use the following formulas:

  • If measuring in feet: Total Linear Feet = Length in Feet × Number of Pieces
  • If measuring in inches: Total Linear Feet = (Length in Inches / 12) × Number of Pieces

Linear Feet vs. Board Feet

It is common to confuse linear feet with board feet in the lumber industry. Linear feet only cares about the length of the board. Board feet, however, is a measurement of volume, considering the thickness, width, and length of the wood. If you are buying trim, baseboards, or fencing, you will almost always use linear feet.

Practical Examples

Item Dimensions Total Linear Feet
Fencing Planks 10 pieces @ 6 feet each 60 LF
Baseboard Trim 5 pieces @ 96 inches each 40 LF
Decking Boards 20 pieces @ 12 feet each 240 LF

When to Use a Linear Feet Calculator

This tool is essential for planning home improvement projects. For instance, when ordering crown molding, you need to know the total length of the walls. If your room is 10×12, the perimeter is 44 feet. If you are buying molding in 8-foot sections, our calculator helps you determine that you need 44 linear feet, which equates to 5.5 pieces (effectively 6 pieces to account for waste).

Pro Tip: When ordering materials in linear feet, always add a 10% "waste factor" to your total to account for cuts, mistakes, and material defects.

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