Meaning & use
linear feet
Last updated
Meaning
nounpluraltechnical
A measure of length in feet along a single line, used when only the distance matters and not the area or volume.
Grammar: Plural form with a number: forty linear feet of fence. The singular is a linear foot.
Patterns
- ten linear feet of something
- priced per linear foot
The fence needs about two hundred linear feet of wood.
Shelving here is sold by the linear foot, so measure the wall first.
The countertop will run fifteen linear feet along the kitchen wall.
Word forms
| singular | linear foot |
|---|
Common combinations
- price per linear foot
- The price per linear foot depends on the type of wood.
- measure in linear feet
- Measure the shelf space in linear feet before ordering.
- hundred linear feet of fencing
- We need a hundred linear feet of fencing for the yard.
- linear feet of shelving
- The library holds miles of linear feet of shelving.
Synonyms and how they differ
- running feet
- Running feet is an older trade phrase meaning the same thing, but it is less common today.
- feet in length
- Feet in length is a plain description of one object, while linear feet is the unit used to total a material.
Word family
Commonly confused: linear feet or square feet?
linear feet vs square feet
Square feet measure an area (length times width), while linear feet measure only length.
Practice
You are buying baseboard trim for the edge of a room. Which unit best fits the price?
Choose one answer.
Trim runs along a single line, so it is sold by linear feet. Square feet measure area and cubic feet measure volume.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “linear feet”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.