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Units of Measureaka: LFaka: lineal foot

Linear Foot

In Plain English

A straight measurement of length (12 inches), used to price materials sold or installed by the foot.

Definition

A linear foot is a unit of length equal to 12 inches, used to measure and price materials and labor for items where only length matters—not width or thickness. Linear foot pricing is common for piping, conduit, rebar, trim, fencing, curbing, and similar elongated materials. Estimators calculate linear feet from plan dimensions and apply a unit cost to determine the total line item cost.

Why It Matters in Bidding

Linear-foot pricing lets estimators convert plan dimensions directly into priced line items for elongated scope, making takeoffs faster and bids easier to compare across subs. Because width and thickness are baked into the unit cost, errors in counting length flow straight to the bottom line, so accurate LF takeoffs are critical to both winning the job and protecting margin.

Example

An electrical estimator scales 1,200 linear feet of 3/4-inch EMT conduit off the riser drawings and applies an installed unit cost of about $9/LF to build the rough-in line item for the bid.

Related Terms

Square FootBoard FootUnit Price

Frequently Asked Questions

A linear foot measures only length along a single dimension, while a square foot measures area across length and width. Use linear feet for items where width is fixed or irrelevant, such as trim or pipe, and square feet for surfaces like flooring, drywall, or roofing where coverage area drives cost.
Trace the runs on the plans, measure each segment at the drawing scale, and total the lengths in feet. Add waste, laps, and fittings allowances where applicable, then multiply the total by your installed unit cost. Account for vertical risers and elevation changes the floor plan does not show.
Piping, conduit, rebar, baseboard and trim, crown molding, fencing, guardrail, curb and gutter, expansion joints, and continuous footings are typically priced per linear foot. Subcontractors quoting these scopes usually return a unit rate, letting the GC verify quantities against the takeoff before carrying the number.

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