Last updated: 2026-02-27

Moulding Calculator - Calculate Linear Feet & Trim Materials

Free moulding calculator for trim projects. Calculate linear feet and material needed for baseboard, crown molding, chair rail, and trim. Includes waste factors, cost calculations, and cutting optimization.

Linear Feet Multiple Rooms Cost Analysis Cutting Optimization

Project Specifications

Room Dimensions

Moulding Types

Additional Rooms

Material Specifications

%

Cost Analysis

$
$ per LF

Calculation Results

Enter room dimensions and select moulding types to calculate your linear feet requirements and material costs.

Accurate measurements are critical for moulding installation. Always measure twice and account for inside and outside corners, door/window openings, and waste. Use proper safety equipment when cutting and installing trim.
This calculator provides estimates only based on simplified assumptions. Actual material requirements vary significantly based on specific room dimensions, door/window sizes (calculator uses average estimates), installer skill level, material quality, and project complexity. Always verify all measurements on-site.

How to Use This Calculator

  1. 1
    Enter Room Dimensions Set room length, width, and ceiling height. Choose units (feet, inches, meters, cm). Enter the number of door and window openings to deduct from perimeter.
  2. 2
    Select Moulding Types Check the moulding types needed: Baseboard, Crown Moulding, Chair Rail, and/or Case Trim. Each type calculates separately based on installation position.
  3. 3
    Add Additional Rooms Click 'Add Another Room' for multi-room projects. Each room can have different dimensions and opening counts.
  4. 4
    Set Material & Waste Choose standard stock length (8-20 feet). Set waste percentage based on room complexity (10% standard, up to 25% for intricate designs).
  5. 5
    Configure Cost Analysis Enter price per linear foot for material and labor cost per linear foot for installation. Get complete project cost estimates.
  6. 6
    Review Results Get total linear feet per moulding type, number of standard-length pieces needed, material cost, labor cost, and total project estimate.
Pro Tip: Cut longest pieces first from full-length stock to minimize waste. Position joints above doors/windows for least visibility, and mix standard lengths (e.g., 12-foot and 16-foot) for optimal efficiency.

Linear Feet Calculation Methods

Accurate linear feet calculation is essential for ordering the correct amount of moulding and minimizing waste. Measurement process varies by moulding type, as each installs at a different position in the room.

Baseboard: Measure wall-to-wall length at floor level, accounting for door openings (subtract 3 inches per opening for typical reveal). Crown Moulding: Measure ceiling perimeter where wall meets ceiling — angles require special attention and calculation. Chair Rail: Measure at installation height (typically 32-36 inches from floor), subtract door/window widths. Case Trim: Add perimeter of each door/window opening (width × 2 + height × 2) plus reveal allowance.

Typical Moulding Waste Factors by Project Complexity
Project TypeRoom ComplexityWaste FactorSkill Level ImpactTypical Cost/LF
Simple Rectangle4 corners, 1-2 doors8-10%Beginner: +3%$2.50-4.50
Standard Room4-6 corners, 2-3 openings10-12%Intermediate: Standard$3.00-5.50
Complex Layout6-8 corners, bay windows12-15%Experienced: -2%$3.50-6.50
Intricate Design8+ corners, angles, curves15-20%Professional: -3%$4.50-8.00
Historic RestorationCustom profiles, matching20-25%Master: -4%$6.00-12.00
Prices are approximate national averages. Actual costs vary significantly by region, supplier, and market conditions.
Pro Tips: Accurate Linear Feet Measurement
  • Measure in Sections: Break complex rooms into segments for better accuracy
  • Account for Variance: Walls are rarely perfectly straight — add 2-3 inches per 10 feet for out-of-square walls (especially older homes)
  • Document Everything: Sketch room layout with measurements to reduce ordering errors
  • Standard Lengths Matter: Plan cuts around 8, 10, 12, and 16 foot stock to minimize waste
  • Order Buffer Stock: 5-10% extra beyond calculated waste for future repairs — matching discontinued profiles is difficult and expensive
LF = (Room Perimeter − Door Openings + Special Features) × (1 + Waste%)

Cutting Optimization & Material Planning

Strategic cut planning can reduce waste by 15-20% compared to ad-hoc cutting. Start with longest pieces first from full-length stock to reduce scrap accumulation. Position joints above doors/windows or in inconspicuous corners.

Key Strategies: Use scrap intelligently — short pieces (12-36 inches) work perfectly for above-door casing. Mix 12-foot and 16-foot lengths for better efficiency than all 8-foot or all 20-foot pieces. Plan corner cuts with extra material: outside corners require 4-6 inches for miter overlap.

Material Cost Reference by Moulding Type & Quality
Moulding TypePaint-Grade (MDF/Pine)Stain-Grade (Poplar/Oak)Premium (Cherry/Maple)Typical Waste
Baseboard (3.25 inch Colonial)$1.20-2.50/LF$2.80-4.50/LF$5.50-8.00/LF10-12%
Crown Moulding (4.5 inch)$2.50-4.00/LF$4.50-7.00/LF$8.00-14.00/LF15-18%
Chair Rail (2.5 inch)$1.50-2.80/LF$3.00-5.00/LF$6.00-9.00/LF8-10%
Door/Window Casing (2.25 inch)$1.00-2.20/LF$2.50-4.20/LF$4.80-7.50/LF12-15%
Shoe Moulding (0.75 inch)$0.60-1.20/LF$1.50-2.50/LF$2.80-4.20/LF8-10%
Prices are approximate reference ranges. Actual costs vary by location, supplier, and market conditions. Always obtain current quotes.
Calculation Example: Living Room Baseboard

Sample Project: 14' × 18' living room, 3 doorways, fireplace, bay window

Disclaimer: This is a hypothetical example for illustration only. Actual measurements and costs will vary.

Step 1 — Perimeter Calculation:

  • Room Perimeter: (14 + 18) × 2 = 64 linear feet
  • Door Openings (3' each): 3 × 3' = 9 LF (subtract)
  • Fireplace Opening: 5' (subtract)
  • Bay Window Additional Perimeter: 8' (add)
  • Net Linear Feet: 64 − 9 − 5 + 8 = 58 LF

Step 2 — Material Planning:

  • With 12% Waste Factor: 58 × 1.12 = 65 LF
  • Order: 4× 16' + 1× 8' = 72 LF total
  • Material Cost (@$1.80/LF): ~$130
  • Labor (@$2.50/LF): ~$145
  • Fasteners & Supplies: ~$15-25
  • Estimated Total: ~$290-300

Corner & Joint Techniques

Professional corner treatments separate amateur from expert installations. Mastering inside corners, outside corners, and scarf joints ensures seamless appearance.

Inside Corners — Coped Joints (Baseboard): First piece butts square into corner. Second piece is back-cut at 45°, then coped to profile shape with a coping saw. Creates gap-free joints that tolerate wall movement. Mitered Joints (Crown): Both pieces cut at compound angles — requires precise calculation for non-90° corners.

Outside Corners: Standard 45° miters for 90° corners. Real-world walls rarely true — use an angle finder (typically 44-46°). Add 4-6 inches per corner piece for miter overlap. Scarf Joints (for long runs exceeding stock lengths) use 45° overlapping cuts. Position at least 12 inches from corners, above doors when possible, and never in center of wall.

Installation Planning & Tool Requirements

Essential Tools: 10-12 inch sliding compound miter saw for accurate angle cuts. Coping saw for inside corners. 18-gauge pneumatic brad nailer with compressor. Quality 25+ foot tape measure, level, and angle finder. Moulding jigs, shims, caulk gun, wood filler.

Installation Sequence: (1) Measure all rooms and create cutting list. (2) Cut all pieces for one room before installation. (3) Dry-fit major pieces to catch errors. (4) Start with longest walls first. (5) Fill nail holes, caulk gaps, sand, prime, and paint.

Glossary of Terms

Linear Foot (LF)

A unit of measurement equal to 12 inches in length, regardless of width or thickness. Moulding is sold and estimated in linear feet. Different from board feet which measures volume.

Coped Joint

An inside corner joint where the second piece of moulding is cut to match the profile of the first piece using a coping saw. Creates tighter joints than miters because it accommodates wall irregularities and seasonal wood movement.

Scarf Joint

A joint used to splice two pieces of moulding along a straight run. Both pieces are cut at 45° angles that overlap. Properly placed (above doors, away from main viewing angle) and glued, scarf joints are nearly invisible.

Crown Moulding

Decorative trim installed at the junction of wall and ceiling, typically at a spring angle (38° or 45°). Requires compound miter cuts. Available in sizes from 2.5 to 8+ inches. MDF crown is the most common paint-grade option.

Baseboard

Horizontal moulding installed at the base of walls where they meet the floor. Covers the gap between wall and flooring. Standard heights: 3.25 inches (colonial), 5.25 inches (modern), up to 8+ inches for formal rooms.

Chair Rail

Horizontal moulding installed at chair-back height (32-36 inches from floor). Originally designed to protect walls from chair damage. Now primarily decorative, often used to divide wall paint colors or mark wainscoting transition.

Case Trim (Casing)

The moulding applied around door and window openings to cover the gap between the frame and wall. Includes header, legs (sides), and optional sill for windows. Typically 2.25-3.5 inches wide.

Miter Joint

A joint made by cutting two pieces at complementary angles (typically 45° each for a 90° corner). Used for outside corners and crown moulding inside corners. Requires precise measurement because walls are rarely perfectly square.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I calculate linear feet for moulding?

Measure room perimeter (all wall lengths), subtract door/window openings (width minus 3 inches per side for reveal), add special features (bay windows, columns), then multiply by waste factor (1.10 for simple, 1.15 for standard, 1.20 for complex rooms).

Example (12' × 14' room): Perimeter = 52 LF, subtract 2 doors (5.3 LF) = 46.7 LF, with 12%% waste = 52.3 LF → order 54 LF.

How much waste should I account for in moulding projects?

Simple rectangle (8-10%%): 4 corners, 1-2 doors. Standard room (10-12%%): 4-6 corners, 2-3 openings. Complex (12-15%%): Bay windows, angled walls. Intricate (15-20%%): Curved walls, custom profiles. Historic restoration (20-25%%). First-time DIY: add 5-8%% extra. Always order 5-10%% buffer for future repairs.

What is the difference between inside and outside corners?

Inside corners (room corners, 270° angle): Use coped joints for baseboard — first piece butts into corner, second is coped to profile. Requires 2-3 inches extra per piece. Outside corners (protruding corners, 90° angle): Use 45° miter cuts on both pieces. Measure actual angle (typically 44-46°). Add 4-6 inches per corner for fitting.

How do I handle door and window openings?

For baseboard/crown: Subtract actual opening width plus reveal (standard 36-inch door = subtract 30 inches). For case trim: Add perimeter of each opening — (width × 2) + (height × 2) + 12 inches for miters. Standard 36×80-inch door casing requires about 20.3 LF.

What are standard moulding lengths available?

8 feet: Most common, easy transport. 10 feet: Good for standard rooms. 12 feet: Professional standard, best overall efficiency. 14-16 feet: Moderate availability, great for long runs. 20 feet: Special order, limited profiles. Mix 12' and 16' lengths for optimal waste reduction.

How do I calculate moulding for multiple rooms?

Calculate each room separately, identify shared walls to avoid double-counting, sum all rooms, then apply project-level waste (10-12%% for baseboard, 15-18%% for crown across multiple spaces). Round up to standard lengths. Keep scrap pieces ≥12 inches organized for smaller sections in later rooms.