Table of Contents
What Is a Linear Foot?
How To Calculate Linear Feet
Conversion From Inches to Linear Feet
Linear Foot vs. Square Foot
When to Measure in Linear Feet
Linear Feet Bottom Line
What Is a Linear Foot?
A linear foot, also known as a lineal foot, is a measurement of length equivalent to 12 inches (1 foot). Unlike square feet, which measure area, or cubic feet, which measure volume, a linear foot measures only one dimension: length. Essentially, a linear foot is a measurement of a straight line. This unit is commonly used in construction, landscaping, and various home improvement projects where the length of materials, such as lumber, piping, or fabric, is more relevant than the area or volume.
How To Calculate Linear Feet
- Measure the Length: Use a tape measure to determine the length of the object or space you need to measure. Ensure you measure in a straight line.
- Convert to Feet: If your measurement is in inches, convert it to feet by dividing by 12. For example, if your measurement is 36 inches, divide by 12 to get 3 linear feet.
- Sum Multiple Measurements: If you have multiple pieces or segments to measure, simply add the lengths together to get the total linear feet.
Calculating Linear Feet Examples
Single Measurement
Suppose you have a piece of lumber that is 8 feet long. Since it’s already measured in feet, the length in linear feet is: 8 feet = 8 linear feet.
Multiple Measurements
If you have multiple pieces of lumber measuring 4 feet, 6 feet, and 10 feet, you would add these lengths together: 4 feet + 6 feet + 10 feet = 20 linear feet.
Conversion From Inches to Linear Feet
If you need to convert a measurement from inches to linear feet, just do the following:
First, determine the length and width of your area. Make sure that your length and width measurements are taken in inches and not centimeters. Then, divide that measurement by 12.
So, if you have a measurement of 9 inches, the measurement in linear feet would be 0.75 linear feet (9 divided by 12). If you have a measurement of 6 inches, you would have 0.50 linear feet (6 divided by 12).
This is the same as 9 inches (3/4 of a foot) x 6 inches (1/2 of a foot) = 3/8 linear feet.
Tools that measure in feet or inches
To get a measurement in linear feet, you should keep one of the following handy:
- Tape measure
- Ruler
- Yard or meter stick
Linear Foot vs. Square Foot
Linear feet and square feet are different units of measurement, but they are both used to measure different aspects of a space.
The square foot is a unit of measurement that is used to calculate the area of a space. The linear foot, on the other hand, is used to calculate the length of an object.
It is important to be aware of the difference between these two units, especially when you are planning on purchasing new flooring or wall coverings. Make sure that you are using the correct unit of measurement when you are placing your order, or you might end up with the wrong size of flooring or wallpapers.
When to Measure in Linear Feet
There are various reasons to measure an object or room in linear feet. Here are some of the most common uses:
- Measuring the border or perimeter of a room or building. This can help you determine how much lighting you need to cover your roof, bricks to surround a property, or trimming to line your room.
- Linear feet can help you organize your room. If your couch is 10 linear feet by 3 linear feet, you can use those measurements to help you determine whether it’ll fit in a particular room.
- Measurements in linear feet are also helpful when storing stuff in a close storage space or a moving truck. You want to make the most of all the storage space that you have, so knowing the measurements of the larger objects can help you position them in an efficient manner.
Linear Feet Bottom Line
People need to know how to measure linear feet because they need that information for numerous projects. It is useful to know the linear feet of a wall for painting projects or linear feet of a room to purchase carpeting. Linear feet can also be used for other projects, such as measuring fabric or calculating the amount of wood needed for a project. Knowing how to measure linear feet is a valuable skill that can be used for a variety of purposes.
Whether you are painting your room, adding some lights, or upgrading your landscaping, knowing how and when to measure an object in linear feet will help you get more done.