# Feet to Linear Feet Calculator

Convert feet, inches, yards, meters, or centimeters to linear feet. Includes square feet to linear feet and inches to linear feet conversions for flooring, siding, and fence projects.

## What this calculates

One foot equals one linear foot. This linear feet calculator converts any length unit (feet, inches, yards, meters, centimeters, or millimeters) into linear feet for pricing flooring, siding, fencing, trim, and lumber. It also handles square feet to linear feet conversions when you know the material width.

## Inputs

- **Length Value** (ft) — min 0 — Enter the measurement you want converted to linear feet
- **Input Unit** — options: Feet (ft), Inches (in), Yards (yd), Meters (m), Centimeters (cm), Millimeters (mm) — Select the unit of your input value
- **Material Width (optional)** (in) — min 0 — Only needed if converting from square feet to linear feet of planks or strips
- **Square Feet (optional)** (ft²) — min 0 — Enter area to convert square feet to linear feet using the material width above

## Outputs

- **Linear Feet** (lin ft) — Your length expressed as linear feet (same number as plain feet)
- **Equivalent in Inches** (in)
- **Equivalent in Yards** (yd)
- **Equivalent in Meters** (m)
- **Square Feet (if plank width given)** (ft²) — Area covered by the linear feet at the selected material width
- **Linear Feet from Square Feet** (lin ft) — Formula: square feet × 12 ÷ material width in inches
- **Explanation** — formatted as text

## Details

## What is a Linear Foot

A **linear foot** is simply a foot of length measured in a single dimension. 1 ft = 1 linear ft. The term exists to distinguish length from **square feet** (area) and **cubic feet** (volume). When a lumber yard sells 1x6 pine at $2.50 per linear foot, they mean $2.50 for every foot of length regardless of the board's width or thickness.

## How to Calculate Linear Feet

To calculate linear feet, measure the length in feet. If you have measurements in other units:

- **Inches to linear feet:** divide by 12. 60 inches = 5 linear feet.
- **Yards to linear feet:** multiply by 3. 10 yards = 30 linear feet.
- **Meters to linear feet:** multiply by 3.28084. 5 meters = 16.4 linear feet.
- **Centimeters to linear feet:** multiply by 0.0328084. 300 cm = 9.84 linear feet.

## Square Feet to Linear Feet Calculator

Converting square feet to linear feet requires the width of your material in inches:

**Linear feet = Square feet × 12 ÷ material width in inches**

Examples using this formula:

- **100 linear feet to square feet** with 6-inch planks: 100 × 6 ÷ 12 = 50 sq ft.
- **1300 sq ft to linear feet** with 5-inch siding: 1300 × 12 ÷ 5 = 3,120 linear feet.
- **400 linear feet to square feet** with 4-inch trim: 400 × 4 ÷ 12 = 133 sq ft.
- **200 linear feet to square feet** with 6-inch planks: 200 × 6 ÷ 12 = 100 sq ft.

## Linear Feet for a Room

For a rectangular room, linear feet of perimeter = 2 × (length + width). A 12x12 room has 2 × (12 + 12) = **48 linear feet** of perimeter, useful for ordering baseboard, crown molding, or trim.

## How to Calculate Linear Feet for a Fence

Add up the straight-line length of every fence run. A rectangular yard with three sides fenced (50 ft + 100 ft + 50 ft) needs 200 linear feet of fencing. Include gates in the total, then subtract gate openings when counting pickets.

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: What is the difference between feet and linear feet?**

A: There is no difference. 1 foot equals 1 linear foot. The word 'linear' is added to make clear you are measuring length in one dimension, not area (square feet) or volume (cubic feet). Lumber, flooring, fencing, siding, and trim are all sold by linear foot.

**Q: How do I convert square feet to linear feet?**

A: Use this formula: linear feet = square feet × 12 ÷ material width in inches. For example, 100 square feet of 6-inch wide planks equals 100 × 12 ÷ 6 = 200 linear feet. For 1300 sq ft of 5-inch siding: 1300 × 12 ÷ 5 = 3,120 linear feet.

**Q: What is the linear feet of a 12x12 room?**

A: A 12x12 room has 48 linear feet of perimeter: 2 × (12 + 12) = 48. This is what you need to order baseboard, crown molding, chair rail, or shoe molding. Subtract door openings (about 3 ft each) from the total if you are not trimming across them.

**Q: How do I calculate linear feet for a fence?**

A: Measure the length of each fence run (each straight section) and add them up. A backyard fence with one 100-foot side and two 50-foot sides totals 200 linear feet. Do not add the corner twice. Most fence contractors quote by the linear foot, so this number is what you bring to bids.

**Q: How do I convert inches to linear feet?**

A: Divide inches by 12. 72 inches = 6 linear feet. 144 inches = 12 linear feet. If you have a mixed measurement like 6 feet 9 inches, convert the inches portion (9 ÷ 12 = 0.75) and add it to the feet: 6.75 linear feet.

**Q: How many linear feet are in 100 square feet?**

A: It depends on the material width. For a material 12 inches wide, 100 square feet equals 100 linear feet. For 6-inch wide planks, 100 sq ft equals 200 linear feet. For 8-inch wide boards, 100 sq ft equals 150 linear feet. Formula: sq ft × 12 ÷ width in inches.

---

Source: https://vastcalc.com/calculators/construction/feet-linear-feet
Category: Construction
Last updated: 2026-04-08