Baseboard calculator: how many pieces, and which length is cheapest
Enter your rooms and door openings, then the piece lengths sold at your store. We cut each wall from whole pieces, reuse offcuts and compare the total cost.
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Assumptions
- Each room has four walls; door openings are taken off the longest walls first.
- Each wall gets the miter allowance you set, then walls are cut from whole pieces.
- Offcuts are reused on shorter walls (longest pieces cut first), then the extra % is added.
Why piece length changes the total
Baseboard is sold in fixed lengths, and every wall has to be covered by whole pieces or offcuts. A 13 ft wall takes two 8 ft pieces but only one 16 ft piece. Total linear feet alone does not tell you how many pieces to buy, so this planner cuts each wall the way you would on site.
Frequently asked questions
How much baseboard do I need?
Add up the perimeter of every room, subtract the width of door openings and add a little for miter cuts and mistakes. Then work out how many whole pieces cover each wall.
Should I buy 8, 12 or 16 ft baseboard?
Longer pieces mean fewer joints on long walls but can leave bigger offcuts in small rooms. The cheapest option depends on your room sizes and store prices, which is what this calculator compares.
How much extra baseboard should I buy?
A common allowance is 5 to 10% for mistakes, plus a few inches per wall for miter and cope cuts.
Does this work for crown molding?
The linear length works the same way, but leave door openings at zero, because crown molding runs over doors.