What Is Price Per Linear Foot?
A linear foot is simply one foot of length, measured in a straight line, regardless of width or thickness. Many building materials and products are sold this way — fencing, lumber, crown molding, baseboard, countertops, gutters, fabric, cable and pipe. The price per linear foot is the unit cost that lets you compare options fairly and budget a project accurately.
How to Use This Calculator
Enter the total price you paid (or were quoted) and the total length of material in feet. The calculator divides the price by the length to return the cost of each foot. Use it to compare two suppliers, to scale a quote up or down, or to check whether a "deal" really is cheaper once length is accounted for.
The Formula
The math is a simple division:
$$\text{Price Per Linear Foot} = \frac{\text{Total Price (\$)}}{\text{Total Linear Feet}}$$
Because it is a ratio, the units cancel cleanly: dollars divided by feet gives dollars per foot. To go the other way and estimate a job cost, multiply the price per foot by the number of feet you need.
Worked Example
Suppose a contractor quotes $120 to supply 20 feet of cedar fence rail. Divide: $$120 \div 20 = \$6.00 \text{ per linear foot}$$ If a competitor charges $90 for 12 feet, that is \(90 \div 12 = \$7.50\) per foot — so the first quote is the better value even though its total is higher.
FAQ
Is a linear foot the same as a square foot? No. A linear foot measures length only; a square foot measures area (length \(\times\) width). Use price per linear foot for goods sold by length.
How do I convert a price per yard to per foot? Divide the per-yard price by 3, since one yard equals three feet.
Can I use meters? This tool assumes feet. Convert your length to feet first (1 meter \(\approx\) 3.281 feet) for an accurate per-foot price.
