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Baseboard / Skirting Calculator

Estimate linear length, pieces, waste and cost.

My ProjectNo saved space selectedSave a room once and reuse it here.

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Your estimate

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Enter the room perimeter, door openings and stock length to estimate pieces, purchased length and optional cost.

Plan with confidence

How to use the Baseboard / Skirting Calculator

Convert a room perimeter into the number of full baseboard or skirting lengths you should buy, including door deductions and waste.

Step by step

What to enter

Enter room length and width or reuse a saved space.
Enter the number of doors and the approximate width to deduct for each doorway.
Enter the stock length of one baseboard or skirting piece.
Choose a waste allowance and optionally add a price per piece.

Method

How the calculation works

PlanCalq starts with the room perimeter, subtracts the selected doorway width, and adds the waste allowance for mitres, joins and offcuts.

That recommended linear length is divided by the stock length and rounded up to a whole piece.

Calculation summary2 × (room length + room width) = perimeterPerimeter − doorway deductions = net trim lengthNet length × (1 + waste %) ÷ stock length = pieces to buy (rounded up)

Worked example

Example: baseboard around a 5 m × 4 m room

Room perimeter: 18 m
Two 0.9 m door openings
Waste: 10%
Stock length: 2.4 m

Planning resultThe net run is 16.2 m, about 17.8 m with waste, which rounds up to 8 pieces of 2.4 m stock.

Baseboard is purchased by linear length, so floor area is not the useful measure. The calculator starts with the room perimeter, subtracts selected openings, adds a cutting allowance and then rounds into full stock lengths.

Interpret the output

How to read the result

Use the linear requirement to compare products sold by metre or foot and the piece count when buying fixed lengths.
Longer stock can reduce joints but may create larger unusable offcuts in rooms with many short wall sections.
Keep some matching material for future repairs if the profile may be discontinued.

Planning limits

What this calculator does not cover

The calculation does not optimise mitre cuts or reuse of every offcut.
Stairs, curved walls, cabinetry and built-in furniture need separate measurements.
Fasteners, adhesive, caulk and finishing materials are not included unless estimated separately.

PlanCalq methodology & safety boundaries →

GuideRenovation budget planning

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GuideRenovation contingency allowance

Understand the difference between material waste and renovation contingency, what creates uncertainty, and how to build a realistic allowance into a project budget.

GuideInterpreting calculator estimates

Learn the difference between theoretical quantity, recommended quantity, purchase quantity and estimated cost so you can use calculator results responsibly.

Common questions