Linear Foot Calculator
Convert square feet to linear feet of boards by coverage width, add up pieces into total linear feet, or turn linear feet back into square feet.
The face each board covers once installed, e.g. 5.5 for a 1×6, less for tongue and groove.
The result updates as you type.
Linear feet of boards
480 linear ft with your allowance
436.4 ft before allowance · 60 pieces of 8 ft
What this page cannot tell you
Board widths vary by mill and profile; measure the exposed face of the actual board. The piece count assumes offcuts are used; it does not plan cuts or end joints.
How to calculate linear feet
- Pick the conversion. Square feet to linear feet, pieces to linear feet, or linear feet to square feet.
- Enter the coverage width. The face each board covers once installed, in inches. For tongue-and-groove or lap boards this is less than the board's full width.
- Add allowance and stock length. Optional: a waste percentage and the length of the boards you will buy for a piece count.
- Read the result. Linear feet, pieces and cost if you entered a price.
10 situations where a linear foot calculator helps
Ordering shiplap or paneling
Wall area in square feet becomes the linear feet a lumber yard sells by.
Reclaimed wood priced per linear foot
Convert the wall or floor area into the unit on the price list.
Fence boards
Turn a fence face area into linear feet of pickets of a given width.
Adding up a cut list
Several rows of pieces at different lengths become one total to buy.
Trim and molding
Total linear feet for casing, baseboard or crown from a list of pieces.
Decking boards
Deck area ÷ board coverage width (plus gap) gives the linear feet of decking.
Checking a quote
Compare a supplier's linear-foot quantity with your area.
What a bundle covers
Reverse mode turns a bundle's linear feet into the square feet it will cover.
Countertop edge or banding
Add up edge pieces for edge banding or laminate trim.
Metric conversion
Pieces mode also gives metres and yards.
How the conversion works
A linear foot is a foot of length regardless of width. To cover an area with boards you need area ÷ board width: square feet × 12 ÷ coverage width in inches. A 5.5 in wide board covers 0.458 ft² per linear foot, so 100 ft² needs about 218 linear feet. Reverse mode multiplies instead.
Coverage width is the part of each board you see once installed. Tongue-and-groove, shiplap and lap siding overlap, so their coverage is less than their full width; decking with gaps covers board width plus gap. Measure an installed board or use the coverage figure the supplier gives.
The piece count divides the total by the stock length and rounds up. It assumes offcuts are used and does not plan where joints fall. Any waste allowance is your own figure.
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Frequently asked questions
How do I convert square feet to linear feet?
Multiply the square feet by 12 and divide by the board's coverage width in inches. 200 ft² of 6 in coverage boards is 400 linear feet.
Is a linear foot the same as a foot?
Yes. 'Linear' just says the length is measured along the piece, without regard to width or thickness.
What's the difference between linear feet and board feet?
Board feet measure volume (a board foot is 144 cubic inches). Linear feet measure only length.
Which width should I use for tongue and groove?
The exposed face after the boards are joined, not the full width including the tongue.
How many linear feet are in a square foot?
It depends on the width: 12 ÷ width in inches. For a 4 in board, 3 linear feet cover one square foot.
Can I use it for fabric or carpet?
Yes — any material sold off a roll by length with a fixed width converts the same way; enter the width in inches.
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