How Do You Calculate Linear Feet to Square Feet

Linear Feet to Square Feet Calculator

Calculation Results

Total Square Footage: 0 sq. ft.

Estimated Total Cost: $0.00

function calculateLFtoSF() { var lf = parseFloat(document.getElementById('linearFeet').value); var widthInches = parseFloat(document.getElementById('materialWidth').value); var costPerUnit = parseFloat(document.getElementById('costPerSqFt').value); var resultDiv = document.getElementById('lf-result-area'); var sqFtDisplay = document.getElementById('totalSqFt'); var costRow = document.getElementById('costOutputRow'); var costDisplay = document.getElementById('totalEstimatedCost'); if (isNaN(lf) || isNaN(widthInches) || lf <= 0 || widthInches 0) { var totalCost = totalSqFt * costPerUnit; costDisplay.innerText = "$" + totalCost.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2}); costRow.style.display = 'block'; } else { costRow.style.display = 'none'; } resultDiv.style.display = 'block'; }

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How to Calculate Linear Feet to Square Feet

Understanding the conversion between linear feet and square feet is essential for home improvement projects, specifically when purchasing lumber, decking, or trim. While linear feet measures length, square feet measures the total area.

The Difference Between Linear and Square Feet

Linear Feet: A measurement of length in a straight line. If you have a board that is 10 feet long, it is 10 linear feet, regardless of how wide it is.

Square Feet: A measurement of area. It accounts for both the length and the width of an object. To find the square footage, you must know how wide the material is.

The Calculation Formula

To convert linear feet to square feet, use the following math:

Square Feet = Linear Feet × (Width in Inches / 12)

Essentially, you convert the width from inches into feet (by dividing by 12) and then multiply that by the total linear length.

Step-by-Step Example

Suppose you are installing 6-inch wide deck boards and you have purchased 200 linear feet of material. How much surface area will this cover?

1. Identify Width: 6 inches.
2. Convert Width to Feet: 6 / 12 = 0.5 feet.
3. Multiply by Linear Feet: 200 (Linear Feet) × 0.5 (Width in Feet) = 100 Square Feet.

Common Applications

• Hardwood Flooring: Often sold by the square foot, but transitions and baseboards are sold by the linear foot.
• Fencing: Rails are calculated in linear feet, while the surface area of the fence panels is measured in square feet.
• Lumber and Decking: Most deck boards are sold by the linear foot (e.g., a 12-foot board), but you need to know the square footage of your deck frame to ensure you buy enough boards to cover it.

Conversion Table (Quick Reference)

Width of Board	Multiplier (to Sq. Ft.)
4 Inches	Linear Feet × 0.333
6 Inches	Linear Feet × 0.500
8 Inches	Linear Feet × 0.666
12 Inches	Linear Feet × 1.000