Linear Feet to Square Feet Calculator
A linear foot measures length only, so there is no direct linear-feet-to-square-feet conversion without the width. Enter the length in linear feet and the width below and this calculator returns the square footage, a waste allowance for buying material, and tile, plank, carpet, and sod estimates. It works like a flooring calculator with built-in waste, and the guide below explains how to convert linear feet to square feet by hand for flooring, paint, sod, and carpet jobs.
Calculator
Length (linear ft) x width = square feet
- Buy with 10% waste
- 330 sq ft
- Square yards
- 33.3333
- Square meters
- 27.8709
- Acres
- 0.0069
- Formula
- sq ft / width (ft)
Material estimator
How much to buy for the area above, with your waste allowance included
- Area with waste
- 330 sq ft
Quick reference: 10 linear feet at common widths
| Width | Calculation | Square feet |
|---|---|---|
| 1 ft | 10 x 1 | 10 |
| 2 ft | 10 x 2 | 20 |
| 3 ft | 10 x 3 | 30 |
| 4 ft | 10 x 4 | 40 |
| 6 ft | 10 x 6 | 60 |
| 12 ft | 10 x 12 | 120 |
Worked examples
Flooring a 20 ft x 15 ft room
Area = 20 x 15 = 300 sq ft
Buy with 10% waste: 300 x 1.10 = 330 sq ft of flooring.
12x12 in tiles for a 12 ft x 4 ft hallway
Area = 12 x 4 = 48 sq ft
With 10% waste: 52.8 sq ft. Each 12x12 in tile covers 1 sq ft, so ceil(52.8) = 53 tiles.
Sod rolls for a 25 ft x 2 ft strip
Area = 25 x 2 = 50 sq ft
With 10% waste: 55 sq ft. Each 2 ft x 5 ft sod roll covers 10 sq ft, so ceil(55 / 10) = 6 rolls.
Carpet for an 18 ft x 12 ft room (12 ft roll)
Area = 18 x 12 = 216 sq ft
With 10% waste: 237.6 sq ft. Roll is 12 ft wide, so ceil(237.6 / 12) = 20 linear ft of carpet to buy.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert linear feet to square feet?
Multiply the length in linear feet by the width in feet: square feet = linear feet x width (ft). For example, 10 linear feet of material that is 4 feet wide covers 10 x 4 = 40 square feet. Without the width there is no single answer, because a linear foot only measures length.
What is a linear foot?
A linear foot is a straight-line measurement of length equal to 12 inches. It tells you how long something is, not how much area it covers. Fencing, trim boards, pipes, and countertops are commonly sold by the linear foot.
What is the formula to convert linear feet to square feet?
The formula is: Area (sq ft) = Length (linear ft) x Width (ft). Measure the length in linear feet, measure the width in feet, then multiply the two numbers together. That is the entire conversion.
Do I need the width to convert linear feet to square feet?
Yes. A linear foot is one-dimensional and a square foot is two-dimensional, so the width is required. Anyone who gives you a direct linear-feet-to-square-feet number without asking the width is guessing.
How many square feet is 10 linear feet?
It depends on the width. At 4 feet wide, 10 linear feet = 10 x 4 = 40 square feet. At 2 feet wide it is 20 square feet, and at 1 foot wide it is 10 square feet.
How many linear feet are in 100 square feet?
Divide the square footage by the width: linear feet = square feet / width (ft). For 100 square feet of material that is 2 feet wide, you need 100 / 2 = 50 linear feet. At 4 feet wide you would only need 25 linear feet.
Can you convert linear feet to square feet directly?
No, not without the width. Linear feet measure length only, while square feet measure area (length x width). The width is the missing dimension that makes the conversion possible.
How do you calculate the square footage of a room from linear feet?
Measure the room's length in linear feet and its width in feet, then multiply: length x width = square feet. A room that is 20 linear feet long and 15 feet wide is 20 x 15 = 300 square feet.
How much flooring should I buy for 300 square feet?
Buy more than the exact area to cover cutting waste. The standard allowance is 10%: 300 x 1.10 = 330 square feet to purchase. Use 15% for diagonal layouts or rooms with many angles.
How do I convert linear feet to square feet for carpet?
Carpet is usually sold in 12-foot-wide rolls. First find the area: 18 linear feet x 12 feet = 216 square feet. Then find the roll length: 216 / 12 = 18 linear feet of carpet. With 10% waste, buy 216 x 1.10 = 237.6 sq ft / 12 = 20 linear feet of carpet.
What is the difference between linear feet and square feet?
A linear foot measures length in one direction (12 inches in a straight line). A square foot measures area: a square 12 inches by 12 inches. You need two dimensions (length and width) to get square feet from linear feet. In short, a linear foot to square foot conversion is always length x width.
How do I convert linear feet to square feet for tile?
Find the area first, then divide by the tile's coverage. A 12 ft x 4 ft hallway is 12 x 4 = 48 square feet. Each 12x12 in tile covers 1 square foot, so with 10% waste you need ceil(48 x 1.10) = 53 tiles.
How do I measure linear feet?
Run a tape measure along the longest straight dimension and read the length in feet. For a wall, measure end to end along the base. For multiple pieces, add the lengths together: three 8-foot boards = 24 linear feet.
How do I convert linear feet to square feet if the width is in inches?
Convert the width to feet first by dividing by 12, then multiply. For 10 linear feet at 24 inches wide: 24 / 12 = 2 feet, so 10 x 2 = 20 square feet.
How many square feet are in 100 linear feet of 6-foot fence?
One side of the fence is 100 x 6 = 600 square feet of surface. If you are staining or painting both sides, double it: 1,200 square feet.
What is the difference between a linear foot and a board foot?
A linear foot is 12 inches of length regardless of width or thickness. A board foot is a volume: 144 cubic inches, typically a board 12 in x 12 in x 1 in. Lumber is often priced by the board foot, while trim and moulding are priced by the linear foot.
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