Convert inches to linear feet with support for fractional inch measurements. Whether you're reading a tape measure for trim carpentry, calculating lumber lengths, or converting cabinet dimensions, our calculator handles whole inches and fractional values. 12 inches = 1 linear foot, every time.
Inches to Linear Feet Converter
Leave at 0 for whole inches only
Comprehensive Inches to Linear Feet Conversion Table
Every measurement a contractor, woodworker, or DIYer commonly encounters, pre-converted to linear feet.
| Inches | Linear Feet | Real-World Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | 1.00 LF | Standard ruler; 1-foot level |
| 18 | 1.50 LF | Common shelf bracket spacing |
| 24 | 2.00 LF | Standard kitchen cabinet depth |
| 30 | 2.50 LF | Standard interior door width |
| 36 | 3.00 LF | Yardstick; countertop height |
| 42 | 3.50 LF | Kitchen island height (bar) |
| 48 | 4.00 LF | Half sheet of plywood width |
| 54 | 4.50 LF | Typical drywall width |
| 60 | 5.00 LF | Bathtub length (standard) |
| 72 | 6.00 LF | Sofa length; fence panel |
| 84 | 7.00 LF | 7-foot door height (older homes) |
| 92.625 | 7.72 LF | Precut 2×4 stud length (92-5/8") |
| 96 | 8.00 LF | Standard lumber/sheet length |
| 108 | 9.00 LF | 9-foot ceiling height |
| 120 | 10.00 LF | Ridge beam; electrical conduit |
| 144 | 12.00 LF | Longest common lumber length |
Fractional Inch to Decimal Foot Quick Reference
Every tape measure reading, converted to decimal feet. No more guessing what 5/8" equals in feet.
| Fraction | Decimal Inches | Decimal Feet | Nearest 1/100th |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/16" | 0.0625" | 0.0052 ft | 0.01 ft |
| 1/8" | 0.125" | 0.0104 ft | 0.01 ft |
| 3/16" | 0.1875" | 0.0156 ft | 0.02 ft |
| 1/4" | 0.25" | 0.0208 ft | 0.02 ft |
| 5/16" | 0.3125" | 0.0260 ft | 0.03 ft |
| 3/8" | 0.375" | 0.0313 ft | 0.03 ft |
| 7/16" | 0.4375" | 0.0365 ft | 0.04 ft |
| 1/2" | 0.5" | 0.0417 ft | 0.04 ft |
| 9/16" | 0.5625" | 0.0469 ft | 0.05 ft |
| 5/8" | 0.625" | 0.0521 ft | 0.05 ft |
| 11/16" | 0.6875" | 0.0573 ft | 0.06 ft |
| 3/4" | 0.75" | 0.0625 ft | 0.06 ft |
| 13/16" | 0.8125" | 0.0677 ft | 0.07 ft |
| 7/8" | 0.875" | 0.0729 ft | 0.07 ft |
| 15/16" | 0.9375" | 0.0781 ft | 0.08 ft |
Common Construction Dimensions: Inches to Linear Feet
Construction professionals measure almost everything in inches on the job site but order materials by the linear foot. Here's the cheat sheet.
| Construction Item | Typical Length (in) | Linear Feet | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Precut 2×4 stud | 92-5/8" | 7.72 LF | Fits 8′ wall with double top plate + sole plate |
| Precut 2×6 stud (9′ wall) | 104-5/8" | 8.72 LF | For 9-foot ceiling with plates |
| Standard interior door | 30" to 36" | 2.5–3.0 LF | Deduct from baseboard; 1 door saves ~3 LF of trim |
| Exterior door | 36" | 3.00 LF | Deduct from siding; 1 door saves 3 LF of siding |
| Kitchen counter height | 36" | 3.00 LF | Standard counter height = 3 LF of backsplash per vertical run |
| Standard stair riser | 7.5" | 0.625 LF | 13 risers per typical flight; 8.13 LF of riser material |
| Stair tread depth | 10" to 11" | 0.83–0.92 LF | Per tread; 13 treads = ~11.5 LF of tread board |
| Electrical outlet height | 16" to 18" (to top) | 1.33–1.50 LF | Wire drop length per outlet from 8′ ceiling |
Worked Examples: Inches to Linear Feet in Practice
| Scenario | Inches | Calculation | Linear Feet | What This Means |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trim for a 10×12 room | 528" (perimeter) | 528 / 12 | 44 LF | Order 48 LF accounting for 10% waste |
| Cutting pipe sections from a 10′ stick | 120" available | Need 5 pieces at 22": 5 × 22 = 110" | 9.17 LF used | 0.83 LF waste (kerf included); 1 stick enough |
| Fence using 72" dog-ear pickets | 72" per picket | 100′ fence needs 100 / (5.5/12) = 218 pickets | 218 × 6 LF = 1,308 LF | Each 6′ picket = 6 LF of material to buy |
Common Mistakes When Converting Inches to Linear Feet
Mistake #1: Forgetting That Linear Feet Ignores Width
A 2×4 that's 96" long is 8 linear feet regardless of its 3.5" actual width. Some people mistakenly think the 4" width (or 3.5" actual) affects the linear foot measurement. It doesn't. Linear feet measures length only. When you buy 8 LF of 2×4, you get one 8-foot board. The “2×4” part affects board feet and cost, not linear feet.
Mistake #2: Not Accounting for Kerf (Saw Blade Thickness)
Every saw cut removes about 1/8" of material. If you need 10 pieces at 10" each from 100" of stock, you might think 10 × 10 = 100" is exact. But 9 cuts × 1/8" kerf = 1.125" lost. You actually need 101.125", meaning you're short by about 0.09 LF. On a big job with 100+ cuts, unaccounted kerf can leave you an entire board short.
Mistake #3: Confusing Board Feet With Linear Feet
Board feet measures wood volume, linear feet measures length. A 1" × 12" × 96" board = 8 board feet and 8 linear feet (convenient coincidence). But a 2" × 12" × 96" board = 16 board feet but still 8 linear feet. When a lumber yard quotes you per board foot, don't convert that price to per linear foot without adjusting for the board's thickness and width.
Mistake #4: Using Nominal Inches Instead of Actual
Lumber is sold by nominal dimensions. A 2×4 is actually 1.5" × 3.5". A 1×6 is actually 0.75" × 5.5". When calculating how many boards fit in a space (like deck boards across a 120" span), use the actual width in inches, not nominal. For decking: 5.5" actual width = 5.5 / 12 = 0.458 LF of coverage per board. At nominal 6", you'd calculate 0.5 LF — a 9% error that compounds across a 20′ deck.