Lumber Linear Footage Calculator

About this calculator

Linear footage (or lineal footage) is simply the total end-to-end length of boards, measured in feet, regardless of their width or thickness — it is found by multiplying the number of boards by the length of each one and adding any partial lengths.

This differs from board footage (the standard unit for pricing rough lumber, defined as 1 inch thick × 12 inches wide × 12 inches long), which accounts for volume rather than length. Linear footage is the relevant unit whenever material is sold or measured by run length instead — trim, molding, baseboard, fencing, and dimensional lumber like 2x4s at a fixed width.

Contractors and DIY builders use linear footage totals to estimate material quantities and costs for framing, trim work, and fencing projects where price is quoted per linear foot rather than per board foot.