Baseboard and Trim Calculator
Calculates trim molding requirements based on room perimeter, door opening deductions, miter corner cut allowances, and standard 8-foot, 12-foot, or 16-foot stick lengths.
Formula
Net Linear Ft = 2 × (Length + Width) - (Doors × 3 ft); Sticks = Ceil(Net Linear Ft × (1 + Waste) ÷ Stick Length)
1. Gross Perimeter = 2 × (Length + Width) 2. Door Deductions = Doorways × 3 linear feet 3. Net Linear Feet = Gross Perimeter - Door Deductions 4. Total Linear Feet with Waste = Net Linear Feet × (1 + Waste %) 5. Sticks to Order = Ceil(Total Linear Feet ÷ Stick Length)
Inputs
- Room Length
- Room Width
- Doorway Openings
- Molding Stick Length
Worked example
Installing 5-1/4" primed MDF baseboard in 8-foot sticks with 10% miter cut waste.
Outcome: Gross perimeter is 64 linear ft. Deducting 6 ft for 2 doors leaves 58 net linear ft. Adding 10% waste equals 63.8 linear ft. Dividing by 8 ft gives 7.97 sticks, rounding up to 8 full 8-foot sticks (64 lin ft).
Should I install baseboards before or after carpet?
For carpet, baseboards should be installed first, raised approximately 3/8" to 1/2" above the subfloor so carpet installers can tuck the carpet edges beneath the molding.