Linear Feet Calculator

A linear foot (also "lineal foot") measures length only. Ten feet of 2x4 and ten feet of 2x12 are both 10 linear feet, even though one has three times the wood. Lumber yards price trim, molding, fencing, decking, and gutters by the linear foot because the width is fixed by the product.

Square feet measure area (length times width), and board feet measure volume of lumber (1 ft x 1 ft x 1 in). The calculator converts between all three, and the board foot calculator prices and weighs a whole lumber list.

• From pieces: pieces times length in feet. Turn inches into feet by dividing by 12: 10 ft 6 in is 10.5 ft.
• From square feet: square feet x 12 / (board width + gap, in inches). Use the actual width: a 1x6 is 5-1/2 in.
• To square feet: linear feet x (board width + gap) / 12.
• To board feet: linear feet x nominal thickness x nominal width / 12.

Lumber comes in even stock lengths, usually 8 to 16 ft at the store and up to 20 ft at a yard. For a continuous run (decking, fascia, rails), divide the total by the board length and round up. For pieces that each have to come from one board (pickets, studs, short trim), it is a cutting problem: three 5 ft pieces fit one 16 ft board but need two 10s. The calculator shows both and the offcuts, so you can pick the length that wastes the least and still fits in your truck.

• Using the nominal width for coverage. A 1x6 covers 5-1/2 in, not 6.
• Adding feet and inches as decimals: 10 ft 6 in is 10.5 ft, not 10.6.
• Comparing a price per linear foot with a price per board foot. Convert one first.
• Buying the total footage in short boards when the pieces need long ones.