Linear Feet Calculator
Use this calculator to determine the total linear feet for your project, whether you're measuring lumber, trim, fabric, or fencing materials. Simply enter the length of a single item and the quantity, and select the appropriate unit.
Total Linear Feet:
What Are Linear Feet?
Linear feet is a measurement of length in a straight line. It's simply another way of saying "feet" when referring to a one-dimensional measurement. The term "linear" is often used to emphasize that you are measuring length, not area (square feet) or volume (cubic feet). This distinction is particularly useful when purchasing materials that are sold by their length, regardless of their width or thickness.
Why is Linear Feet Important?
Understanding linear feet is crucial for many home improvement projects, construction, and crafting. Materials like lumber, trim, baseboards, crown molding, fabric, fencing, and piping are commonly sold and measured in linear feet. Knowing how to calculate your needs in linear feet helps you purchase the correct quantity, avoid waste, and accurately budget for your project.
How to Calculate Linear Feet
Calculating linear feet is straightforward:
- For a single item: The linear feet is simply its length. If a piece of wood is 8 feet long, you have 8 linear feet.
- For multiple items of the same length: Multiply the length of one item by the number of items.
- Converting units: If your measurements are in inches, divide the total inches by 12 to convert them to feet.
For example, if you need 5 pieces of trim, and each piece is 10 feet long, you would need 5 x 10 = 50 linear feet of trim.
If you have a roll of fabric and need 120 inches of it, you would calculate 120 inches / 12 inches/foot = 10 linear feet.
Linear Feet vs. Square Feet vs. Cubic Feet
- Linear Feet: Measures length (one dimension). Used for materials like trim, lumber, or fencing.
- Square Feet: Measures area (two dimensions – length x width). Used for flooring, painting, or roofing.
- Cubic Feet: Measures volume (three dimensions – length x width x height). Used for concrete, soil, or storage space.
It's important not to confuse these measurements, as using the wrong one can lead to significant errors in material estimation.
How to Use the Calculator
- Enter Length of One Item: Input the length of a single piece of material.
- Select Length Unit: Choose whether your item length is in "Feet" or "Inches".
- Enter Number of Items: Specify how many pieces of that material you need.
- Click "Calculate Linear Feet": The calculator will instantly display the total linear feet required for your project.
Examples of Linear Feet Calculations:
- Example 1: Fencing Project
You need to fence a straight section that is 50 feet long. You only need one continuous length of fencing material.
Input: Length of One Item = 50, Unit = Feet, Number of Items = 1
Result: 50 linear feet - Example 2: Baseboard Trim
You are installing baseboards and need 8 pieces, each 12 feet long.
Input: Length of One Item = 12, Unit = Feet, Number of Items = 8
Result: 96 linear feet - Example 3: Fabric for Curtains
You need 4 pieces of fabric, each 72 inches long, for curtains.
Input: Length of One Item = 72, Unit = Inches, Number of Items = 4
Result: 24 linear feet (72 inches/12 = 6 feet per piece; 6 feet * 4 pieces = 24 linear feet)