Calculate linear feet for trim, lumber, fencing, or molding. Enter the total length, pick a stock piece length, and add waste to get the pieces and linear feet to buy.
Linear Feet to Buy
— ft
Rounded up to whole pieces.Usage Tip
Choosing a stock length that divides evenly into your runs cuts waste. Longer pieces mean fewer seams but are harder to handle and transport.
THE MATH
Length needed (ft) = entered length converted to feet
With waste = length × (1 + waste%)
Pieces = round up (length with waste ÷ stock length)
With waste = length × (1 + waste%)
Pieces = round up (length with waste ÷ stock length)
Linear feet measure length only (a straight run), unlike square feet which measure area. Trim, molding, lumber, fencing, and pipe are sold by the linear foot or in fixed stock lengths.
Stock lumber and trim commonly come in 8, 10, 12, and 16 ft lengths.
Stock lumber and trim commonly come in 8, 10, 12, and 16 ft lengths.
Buying whole pieces almost always means extra length — the linear feet to buy is rounded up to full stock pieces.
Add waste for miter cuts, end trimming, and mistakes; 10% is a common start, more for many short pieces or angled cuts.
For trim around a room, measure each wall and subtract door and window openings the trim does not cross.
Add waste for miter cuts, end trimming, and mistakes; 10% is a common start, more for many short pieces or angled cuts.
For trim around a room, measure each wall and subtract door and window openings the trim does not cross.