Lineal Foot vs Linear Foot
Lineal foot and linear foot both measure length only (12 inches), ignoring width and thickness. The terms are used interchangeably in the lumber industry, though linear foot is the technically correct term. Lineal foot pricing is standard for moldings, trim, decking, and dimensional lumber sold by length rather than volume.
In-Depth Explanation
In the lumber industry, lineal foot (abbreviated LF or lin ft) is the traditional trade term, while linear foot is the mathematically precise term — both mean exactly the same thing: one foot of length regardless of the board's cross-section. This is fundamentally different from a board foot, which accounts for all three dimensions. Lineal pricing makes sense for products that come in standardized cross-sections: a 2x4 is always 1.5 x 3.5 inches, so specifying the length is the only variable needed. Moldings, trim profiles, T&G flooring, decking, and siding are all typically priced by the lineal foot because their width and thickness are fixed by their profile. The confusion between the two terms is longstanding and universal in the trade — using either one will be understood. When comparing prices between lineal foot and board foot, buyers need to convert carefully, as a lineal foot of wider or thicker material contains more board feet than a lineal foot of narrower or thinner stock.
Usage Example
The deck estimate listed 400 lineal feet of 5/4x6 composite decking at $3.50 per lineal foot, totaling $1,400 for the decking material alone.