Price Per Linear Foot Calculator
Determine the cost per linear foot for materials like lumber, fencing, or fabric to budget for your projects accurately.
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Guide to Calculating Price Per Linear Foot
The "Price Per Linear Foot Calculator" is an essential tool for budgeting and comparing costs for materials sold by length. It is widely used in construction, landscaping, and DIY projects for items like lumber, fencing, trim, pipes, and fabric. By standardizing the cost to a single foot, it allows for easy comparison between different suppliers and materials.
The Simple Formula
Calculating the price per linear foot is a straightforward division problem. The formula is:
Price per Linear Foot = Total Price / Total Length in Feet
This formula tells you how much each foot of the material costs, regardless of the total length you purchase.
What is a "Linear Foot"?
It's important to understand what a linear foot represents. It is a one-dimensional measurement of length. A linear foot is simply 12 inches in a straight line. The width, thickness, or shape of the material does not affect its linear foot measurement. For example:
- A plank of wood that is 10 feet long, 6 inches wide, and 1 inch thick is measured as 10 linear feet.
- A roll of wire fence that is 50 feet long and 4 feet high is measured as 50 linear feet.
This unit is used when the primary cost driver of the material is its length, not its area or volume.
Practical Examples
Let's see how this calculator is used in real-world situations.
| Material | Total Price | Total Length | Calculation | Price Per Linear Foot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redwood Fencing | $480 | 100 feet | $480 / 100 ft | $4.80 |
| Crown Molding | $96 | 32 feet (four 8-foot pieces) | $96 / 32 ft | $3.00 |
| Copper Pipe | $45 | 10 feet | $45 / 10 ft | $4.50 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: How is price per linear foot different from price per square foot?
- A: Price per linear foot only considers length, while price per square foot considers area (length × width). Linear foot pricing is common for materials like trim or pipes, where width is standard. Square foot pricing is used for materials like carpet, tile, or plywood, where both length and width are variable and contribute to the area.
- Q: What if the length is given in inches or yards?
- A: To use the formula correctly, you must first convert the length to feet. Remember that 1 foot = 12 inches, and 1 yard = 3 feet. For example, a 240-inch piece of material is 20 feet long (240 / 12).
- Q: Why is this calculation useful for budgeting?
- A: When you know the price per linear foot, you can accurately estimate the cost of your project. If your fence project requires 150 feet of material and the price is $5 per linear foot, you can budget for a material cost of $750 (150 × 5). It also helps you compare prices between two suppliers offering different lengths for different total prices.
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