Sqft to Linear Feet Calculator
Suppliers sell flooring, trim and fabric by the running foot. Enter your square footage and the material width to find how many linear feet to order.
To convert square feet to linear feet, divide the square footage by the material width in feet. For 200 sq ft of flooring in 6-inch-wide planks (0.5 ft): 200 ÷ 0.5 = 400 linear feet. Enter the width in inches below and the conversion is handled for you.
Linear feet measure length only. Add 10% for cuts and waste before ordering.
Square feet vs. linear feet
They measure different things, which is why one cannot be converted to the other without knowing the width.
- Square feet measure area — length × width. It tells you how much surface you are covering.
- Linear feet measure length only. Width is irrelevant to the number itself; it is simply distance along the material.
A supplier quoting linear feet is telling you how much of a roll or run you get. The same 100 linear feet covers 50 sq ft in 6-inch material but 200 sq ft in 24-inch material.
The formula
Linear feet = Square feet ÷ (Width in inches ÷ 12)
Worked through for 320 sq ft of 8-inch-wide hardwood:
- Convert the width to feet: 8 ÷ 12 = 0.667 ft
- Divide the area by the width: 320 ÷ 0.667 = 480 linear feet
Reverse it by multiplying: 480 linear feet × 0.667 ft = 320 sq ft.
Where linear feet are used
Linear feet are the standard unit wherever material comes in fixed-width runs:
- Hardwood and laminate flooring — sold by the plank in set widths
- Trim, baseboard and crown moulding — priced per running foot
- Lumber — a 2×4 is quoted in linear feet
- Fabric, carpet and vinyl — sold off rolls of standard width
- Countertops and fencing — priced by the running foot
Linear feet needed for 100 sq ft
How material width changes the length you need to buy.
| Material width | Width in feet | Linear feet for 100 sq ft |
|---|---|---|
| 3 in | 0.25 ft | 400 linear ft |
| 4 in | 0.333 ft | 300 linear ft |
| 5 in | 0.417 ft | 240 linear ft |
| 6 in | 0.5 ft | 200 linear ft |
| 7.5 in | 0.625 ft | 160 linear ft |
| 12 in | 1 ft | 100 linear ft |
| 24 in | 2 ft | 50 linear ft |
| 36 in | 3 ft | 33.3 linear ft |
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert square feet to linear feet?
Divide the square footage by the material width in feet. For 200 square feet of 6-inch-wide planks, the width is 0.5 ft, so 200 ÷ 0.5 = 400 linear feet.
What is the difference between square feet and linear feet?
Square feet measure area (length × width), while linear feet measure length alone. You cannot convert between them without knowing the width of the material.
How many linear feet is 100 square feet?
It depends entirely on the width. In 6-inch material it is 200 linear feet; in 12-inch material it is 100 linear feet; in 24-inch material it is 50 linear feet.
Why do suppliers quote linear feet?
Because material comes off a roll or in planks of a fixed width, the only variable is length. Pricing per running foot is simpler for the supplier and matches how the product is cut.
Should I add waste to a linear feet order?
Yes — add about 10% for straightforward rooms and up to 15% for diagonal layouts or rooms with many angles, to cover offcuts and mistakes.