Linear Foot Calculator

Use this calculator to determine the total linear feet of material required for a project, based on the area you need to cover and the width of the material.

Total Area to Cover (Square Feet): Material Width (Inches):

Result:

function calculateLinearFeet() { var totalAreaSqFtInput = document.getElementById("totalAreaSqFt").value; var materialWidthInchesInput = document.getElementById("materialWidthInches").value; var resultDiv = document.getElementById("linearFeetResult"); var totalAreaSqFt = parseFloat(totalAreaSqFtInput); var materialWidthInches = parseFloat(materialWidthInchesInput); if (isNaN(totalAreaSqFt) || totalAreaSqFt < 0) { resultDiv.innerHTML = "Please enter a valid non-negative number for Total Area."; return; } if (isNaN(materialWidthInches) || materialWidthInches <= 0) { resultDiv.innerHTML = "Please enter a valid positive number for Material Width."; return; } // Calculation: Linear Feet = (Total Area in Square Feet * 12) / Material Width in Inches // This converts the area to "square inch-feet" and then divides by width in inches to get length in feet. var linearFeet = (totalAreaSqFt * 12) / materialWidthInches; resultDiv.innerHTML = "

Total Linear Feet Needed:

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Understanding and Calculating Linear Feet

A "linear foot" is a fundamental unit of measurement, simply referring to a length of one foot. Unlike square feet (which measure area) or cubic feet (which measure volume), linear feet only account for one dimension: length. This measurement is crucial in many industries, especially when dealing with materials that are sold or cut by their length, regardless of their width or thickness.

What is a Linear Foot?

At its core, a linear foot is 12 inches long. If you have a piece of lumber that is 10 feet long, it is 10 linear feet. If you have a roll of fabric that is 50 feet long, it is 50 linear feet. The term becomes particularly useful when you need to calculate the total length of material required for a project where the material has a consistent width, but you're working with an overall area.

Why is the Linear Foot Calculator Important?

Many construction, crafting, and home improvement materials are priced and sold by the linear foot or by the square foot. Understanding how to convert between these can save you time and money. For instance, if you need to cover a certain area with flooring, fencing, trim, or fabric that comes in a specific width, you'll need to know how many linear feet to purchase.

Flooring: Vinyl, laminate, or carpet rolls often have a standard width. To cover a room's square footage, you'll need to calculate the linear feet of the roll.
Fencing: Fencing materials are typically sold by the linear foot. If you know the perimeter of your yard, you can easily determine the linear feet needed.
Trim and Molding: Baseboards, crown molding, and other decorative trims are almost always measured and sold by the linear foot.
Fabric and Textiles: When buying fabric for upholstery or sewing projects, it's often sold by the linear yard, but the principle is the same for linear feet.
Lumber: While some lumber is sold by the board foot (which accounts for thickness), many common pieces like studs or planks are often discussed in terms of their linear foot length.

How Our Linear Foot Calculator Works

Our calculator simplifies the process of determining linear feet when you have an area to cover and a material with a specific width. Here's a breakdown of the inputs and the calculation:

Total Area to Cover (Square Feet): This is the total surface area you need to cover with your material. For example, if you're flooring a room that is 10 feet by 10 feet, your total area is 100 square feet.
Material Width (Inches): This is the fixed width of the material you plan to use. For instance, a roll of vinyl flooring might be 12 inches wide, or a fence panel might be 6 inches wide.

The calculator takes your total area in square feet and the material's width in inches. It then converts the material width into feet and divides the total area by this width to give you the total linear feet required. The formula used is:

Linear Feet = (Total Area in Square Feet * 12) / Material Width in Inches

Example Calculation:

Let's say you need to cover a floor that is 150 square feet, and the flooring material you've chosen comes in rolls that are 18 inches wide.

Total Area: 150 sq ft
Material Width: 18 inches

Using the formula:

Linear Feet = (150 sq ft * 12) / 18 inches

Linear Feet = 1800 / 18

Linear Feet = 100 linear feet

You would need to purchase 100 linear feet of the flooring material.

This calculator is a handy tool for anyone planning a project involving materials sold by length, ensuring you buy just the right amount without waste or shortages.