How this calculator works
A linear foot measures length only, so the price per linear foot is the total price divided by the number of feet purchased. The mode selector rearranges the same relationship to find a total or a length. The length input can use feet, inches, yards or metres; each is converted to feet before dividing. The table applies the computed rate to common board and roll lengths, which helps when a supplier quotes by the piece but you want to compare by the foot. Width, thickness and waste are separate issues, so a 2 by 4 and a 2 by 10 can share a price per linear foot while having very different value per board foot.
Formula
price per linear foot = total price / length in feet. total price = price per linear foot x length in feet. length in feet = total price / price per linear foot. One foot is exactly 0.3048 metres, one yard is 3 feet and one inch is 1/12 foot.
Worked example
A 40-foot run costing $120 is $3.00 per linear foot. At that rate, 12 feet costs $36.00 and 20 feet costs $60.00. If you have $75 to spend and the price is $3.00 per foot, you can buy 25 feet.
Advertisement
Frequently asked questions
Is a linear foot the same as a board foot?
No. A linear foot is a length of 12 inches. A board foot is a volume: one foot long, one foot wide and one inch thick, or 144 cubic inches. Lumber is often priced per linear foot by width and per board foot for volume comparisons.
Should I add waste to the length?
Yes, for a real project. Add 5 to 10 percent for cuts and defects, and more for diagonal or patterned work. The calculator reports the length at the entered price, not a waste allowance.
Why does the rate show three decimal places?
Many materials cost a few cents per foot, so rounding to two decimals would lose useful precision. A rate of $0.335 per foot is common for trim and fencing, and three places keep it readable.
How do I compare a per-foot price with a per-metre price?
Divide the price per metre by 3.28084 to get the price per foot, or multiply the per-foot price by 3.28084 to get the per-metre price. The length output can show either unit.