Running feet calculator for skirting, railings and borders
This running feet calculator adds up the lengths of linear work — skirting, cornice, stair railings, granite edges, false-ceiling cove lights, borders and pipes — and gives the total in running feet (rft) and running metres (rmt). Type each length in feet and inches or in metres, multiply by how many there are, deduct doorways, and it totals the lot.
Contractors quote much of this work per running foot, so the tool also prices it: per rft, per running metre, or per square foot once you enter the height or width of the strip. It converts running feet to square feet and back, which is the step most people get wrong when comparing quotes.
Everything is worked out in your browser as you type. Nothing is uploaded, and there is no sign-up.
How to use the Running Feet Calculator
- Choose feet and inches or metres.
- Enter each item: a name, its length, and a count if the same length repeats (two bedrooms with 44 ft of skirting each is 44 × 2).
- Use “Add a room perimeter” to add 2 × (length + width) of a room in one click, then enter the width of doorways under “Deduct”.
- Enter the height or width of the strip (for example 4 in skirting) to see the area in sq ft and m².
- Enter the rate and pick whether it is per rft, per running metre, per sq ft or per m², then copy the summary.
Running Feet Calculator features
Feet, inches and metres
Mix 22 ft 6 in style entries, or switch to metres; existing rows convert when you switch.
Room perimeter helper
Adds 2 × (L + W) as a new row, ready for skirting or cornice.
rft ↔ sq ft
Area = running feet × width in feet, and square feet back to running feet for slabs and counters.
Four rate bases
Price per running foot, running metre, square foot or square metre in ₹, $, £, € and more.
Line-by-line breakdown
Every row, the deduction and the totals, with a copyable summary for a quote or measurement book.
Running feet calculation formula
A running foot is simply one foot of length, measured along the item, whatever its height or depth. So the formula is: total running feet = sum of (length × count) − deductions. Inches are divided by 12: 22 ft 6 in = 22.5 rft. One running foot is 0.3048 running metres, and one running metre is 3.281 rft.
Worked example: skirting of 54 ft in the living room and 44 ft in each of two bedrooms, a 22 ft 6 in stair railing, and 9 ft of doorways deducted: 54 + 88 + 22.5 − 9 = 155.5 rft = 47.40 running metres. At ₹45 per rft the work costs ₹6,997.50.
Running feet to square feet
To turn running feet into square feet, multiply by the width (or height) in feet: sq ft = rft × width in ft. Convert inches by dividing by 12. In the example, 155.5 rft of 4-inch skirting is 155.5 × 4 ÷ 12 = 51.83 sq ft. Going the other way, rft = sq ft ÷ width in ft: 50 sq ft of 2 ft deep kitchen granite is 25 running feet.
This matters when one supplier quotes ₹45 per rft and another ₹120 per sq ft for the same 4-inch skirting: ₹120 per sq ft is ₹40 per rft at that height, so the second is cheaper.
| Strip width | Sq ft per rft | Rft per sq ft |
|---|---|---|
| 3 in | 0.25 | 4 |
| 4 in | 0.333 | 3 |
| 6 in | 0.5 | 2 |
| 1 ft | 1 | 1 |
| 2 ft (counter) | 2 | 0.5 |
Where running feet are used
- Skirting and dado borders, measured along the walls less doors.
- Stair and balcony railings, measured along the handrail.
- False-ceiling cornice, cove and border bands, and gypsum or POP mouldings — the labour cost calculator prices the crew if work is not quoted per rft.
- Granite or marble kitchen platforms, window sills and nosings, sometimes quoted per rft for a standard depth.
- Fencing, compound wall coping and drains — the fence calculator handles posts and panels, and the plinth area calculator covers floor areas.
Running Feet Calculator FAQ
What is running feet?
Running feet (rft, also written R.ft or running foot) is the length of an item measured along it, in feet. It ignores width and height, which is why it suits narrow work like skirting, railings and borders. In Hindi it is usually called “रनिंग फीट” — the same length in feet.
How do I calculate running feet?
Measure each length, convert inches to feet by dividing by 12, multiply each by how many times it repeats, add them, and subtract openings. The running feet calculator does this row by row.
How do I convert running feet to square feet?
Multiply running feet by the width in feet. 100 rft of 6-inch border is 100 × 0.5 = 50 sq ft. Square feet to running feet is the reverse: divide by the width.
Is running feet the same as linear feet?
Yes. Running feet, linear feet and lineal feet all mean length along the item. “Running metre” (rmt) is the metric version; 1 rmt = 3.281 rft.
How is skirting calculated in running feet?
Take the room perimeter, 2 × (length + width), and subtract the door widths. A 12 × 10 ft room with one 3 ft door needs 2 × 22 − 3 = 41 rft of skirting.
Should I add extra for waste?
Cutting at corners and joints wastes some material. Add 5–10% to the running feet you order; pay labour on the measured length unless the contract says otherwise.