Linear Feet to Square Feet Calculator

A linear feet to square feet calculator converts a length of material into the area it covers. It multiplies the linear feet by the material width in feet, which is the width in inches divided by 12. For example, 100 linear feet of 6 in. wide board covers 50 sq ft.

Last reviewed September 2026Method & sources Report an error

Coverage

50.00 sq ft

Breakdown
Coverage	50.00 sq ft

How to Calculate Linear Feet to Square Feet

Square footage is simply Linear Feet × Width, with width converted from inches to feet first (÷ 12). Board and material widths are almost always specified in inches, while length is specified in feet. This matters because flooring, decking, siding, and trim are often priced or measured by the linear foot of a fixed-width product, while a room or wall is measured in square feet. The two units are only interchangeable once the width is factored in.

Example: 100 linear feet of 6 in. wide flooring board

100 linear feet of 6 in. wide flooring board: 1. Width in feet: 6 ÷ 12 = 0.5 ft 2. Coverage: 100 × 0.5 = 50 sq ft So 100 linear feet of a 6 in. wide board covers exactly 50 sq ft of floor. That is useful for checking whether a linear-foot-priced order will cover the square footage a flooring calculator says you need.

What Is Linear Feet to Square Feet?

This calculator converts between linear feet (a length measurement, ignoring width) and square feet (an area measurement). It works for any material of a known, consistent width, such as a board, a plank, a roll of siding, or a length of trim. It's the conversion needed whenever a material is sold or measured by the linear foot but a project is planned or quoted in square feet, or the reverse.

Linear Feet to Square Feet: What a Pro Checks

Add a waste allowance (commonly 5-15%, depending on material and layout) on top of this raw coverage figure before ordering. This is a pure unit conversion and doesn't include one.
For fixed-length boards, multiply one board's length by how many boards you're using to get total linear feet, then run that total through this calculator.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I convert linear feet to square feet?

Multiply the linear footage by the material's width in feet (width in inches ÷ 12). For example, 120 linear feet of an 8 in. wide board covers 120 × (8 ÷ 12) = 80 sq ft.

How do I go the other way, from square feet to linear feet?

Divide the square footage you need by the material's width in feet: Linear Feet = Square Feet ÷ (Width in Inches ÷ 12). For 100 sq ft of 6 in. wide board, that's 100 ÷ 0.5 = 200 linear feet.

Why are flooring and decking often priced by the linear foot?

Because the boards themselves come in a fixed width and varying lengths, so a linear-foot price reflects the actual cut length being sold. The buyer then converts to square feet (or the seller does it for them) to compare against the area being covered.

Does this work for material sold in fixed-length boards, like 8 ft or 12 ft boards?

Yes. Use the board's length as the linear feet for a single board (or multiply board length by quantity for several boards) and its width as normal. This gives the coverage for that quantity of boards, before any waste allowance for cuts and end-matching.

Does this include a waste allowance for cuts?

No. This is a pure unit conversion between linear feet and square feet. If you're estimating material for a project, add a waste allowance (commonly 5-15% depending on the material and layout) on top of the square footage this calculator gives you. The Flooring Calculator does that step automatically.

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