Baseboard Calculator — Linear Metres and Pieces Needed
Baseboard runs the perimeter of a room minus door openings. Getting the right linear metre count before heading to the timber yard saves a return trip — and ensures you buy from the same lot for consistent colour and grain.
How we calculate
Perimeter = 2 × (length + width). Deduct ~0.9 m per door opening. Pieces = ⌈(linear metres ÷ piece length) × (1 + waste %)⌉.
Worked example
4 m × 3 m room, 1 door, 2.4 m pieces, 10% waste. Perimeter = 14 m, deduct 0.9 m → 13.1 m. Pieces = ⌈(13.1 ÷ 2.4) × 1.1⌉ = 7 pieces.
Common mistakes
- •Not deducting door openings — you don't run skirting across door frames.
- •Forgetting that inside and outside corners require mitre cuts that add waste.
- •Buying random lengths from different batches — colour variations are hard to hide.