Cost Per Linear Foot Calculator
Calculate the cost for each linear foot of material or service. This is useful for pricing linear items like fencing, trim, piping, or electrical conduits.
Enter the Total Cost of the item or service and its Total Length in linear feet.
Enter Details
Understanding Cost Per Linear Foot
What is a Linear Foot?
A linear foot is simply a measurement of length in feet. It refers to the length of something in a straight line, regardless of its width or height. Materials sold by the linear foot include fencing, lumber (though often also by board foot), trim, molding, pipe, conduit, cable, and fabric.
How to Calculate Cost Per Linear Foot?
The calculation is straightforward:
Cost Per Linear Foot = Total Cost / Total Length (in feet)
For example, if 100 feet of fencing costs $500, the cost per linear foot is $500 / 100 feet = $5 per linear foot.
Why Use Linear Feet?
It's a convenient way to price materials or services where length is the primary varying dimension, simplifying estimating and purchasing.
Cost Per Linear Foot Examples
Here are some examples of how cost per linear foot is used:
Example 1: Fencing Cost
Scenario: You buy 75 linear feet of privacy fencing for a total cost of $1125.
Calculation: Cost Per Linear Foot = $1125 / 75 feet
Result: $15.00 per linear foot.
Conclusion: Each foot of fencing cost $15.
Example 2: Baseboard Trim
Scenario: You need 250 linear feet of baseboard trim. The lumber yard sells it for $1.80 per linear foot.
Calculation: Total Cost = 250 feet * $1.80/foot
Result: $450.00 total cost.
(Using the calculator with $450 total cost and 250 total length confirms $1.80/linear foot).
Conclusion: The total cost for the trim is $450.
Example 3: Pipe Length
Scenario: A plumbing job requires 40 feet of copper pipe. The total material cost for this pipe is $160.
Calculation: Cost Per Linear Foot = $160 / 40 feet
Result: $4.00 per linear foot.
Conclusion: The copper pipe costs $4 per linear foot.
Example 4: Electrical Cable
Scenario: You buy a 500-foot roll of electrical cable for $275.
Calculation: Cost Per Linear Foot = $275 / 500 feet
Result: $0.55 per linear foot.
Conclusion: The cable costs $0.55 per linear foot.
Example 5: Crown Molding
Scenario: Installing crown molding around a room that has a perimeter of 85 feet. The molding material costs $340.
Calculation: Cost Per Linear Foot = $340 / 85 feet
Result: $4.00 per linear foot.
Conclusion: The crown molding costs $4 per linear foot.
Example 6: Landscape Edging
Scenario: You install 120 feet of decorative landscape edging around a garden bed. The edging material costs $210.
Calculation: Cost Per Linear Foot = $210 / 120 feet
Result: $1.75 per linear foot.
Conclusion: The landscape edging costs $1.75 per linear foot.
Example 7: Weather Stripping
Scenario: Sealing a door requires 17 feet of weather stripping. The total cost for the material is $35.
Calculation: Cost Per Linear Foot = $35 / 17 feet
Result: $2.06 per linear foot (approx).
Conclusion: The weather stripping costs about $2.06 per linear foot.
Example 8: Gutter Installation
Scenario: A contractor charges $8 per linear foot for gutter installation (including material and labor). You need 150 feet installed.
Calculation: Total Cost = 150 feet * $8/foot
Result: $1200.00 total cost.
(Using the calculator with $1200 total cost and 150 total length confirms $8.00/linear foot).
Conclusion: The total cost for gutter installation is $1200.
Example 9: Trenching Service
Scenario: A contractor charges $5.50 per linear foot to dig a trench for a utility line. The trench is 300 feet long.
Calculation: Total Cost = 300 feet * $5.50/foot
Result: $1650.00 total cost.
(Using the calculator with $1650 total cost and 300 total length confirms $5.50/linear foot).
Conclusion: The trenching service will cost $1650.
Example 10: Drapery Fabric
Scenario: You buy 20 feet of specialty fabric for drapery, and the total cost is $300.
Calculation: Cost Per Linear Foot = $300 / 20 feet
Result: $15.00 per linear foot.
Conclusion: The fabric costs $15 per linear foot.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cost Per Linear Foot
1. What exactly is a linear foot?
A linear foot is simply a measure of length equal to 12 inches or 0.3048 meters. It's used for items measured end-to-end, like pipes, wires, trim, or fencing.
2. How is "Cost Per Linear Foot" calculated?
It's calculated by dividing the total cost of an item or service by its total length measured in feet: Cost / Length = Cost Per Linear Foot.
3. What inputs does this calculator require?
You need two inputs: the "Total Cost" (the full price paid) and the "Total Length" of the item or service in linear feet.
4. What is the output of the calculator?
The output is the calculated "Cost Per Linear Foot", telling you how much each foot of the item or service costs.
5. Can I use measurements in meters or inches?
This calculator specifically asks for Total Length in **Linear Feet**. If you have your length in meters or inches, you'll need to convert it to feet before entering it (1 meter ≈ 3.28084 feet, 1 inch ≈ 0.08333 feet).
6. What happens if I enter a Total Length of zero?
You cannot divide by zero. The calculator will show an error message asking for a positive length. The total length must be greater than zero to calculate a cost per foot.
7. What types of projects commonly use cost per linear foot?
Projects involving installation or purchase of linear materials like fencing, baseboards, crown molding, piping, wiring, conduits, ditch digging, linear drains, etc.
8. How is this different from cost per square foot?
Cost per square foot is used for materials or services covering an area (length * width), like flooring, paint, roofing, or sod. Cost per linear foot is only concerned with the length.
9. Does the calculated cost include labor?
That depends on what you include in the "Total Cost" input. If your total cost is just for materials, the output is material cost per linear foot. If you include material and labor in the total cost, the output will be the combined material+labor cost per linear foot.
10. Can I use this for materials bought by the roll (e.g., wire, fabric)?
Yes, absolutely. Simply use the total cost of the roll and the total length of the material on the roll (in feet) as your inputs.
