Baseboard Calculator
Linear feet and pieces of baseboard trim for a room.
Baseboard
54 ft
Wall perimeter
49 ft12×14 room, less 1 door
Baseboard to buy
54 lin ftincludes 10% waste for miters
16-ft pieces
4 pieces
Cost (est.)
$65~$1.20/lin ft
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New baseboard is one of the cheapest ways to make a room look finished. The work is mostly cutting corners well — coping inside corners and mitering outside ones — then a little caulk and paint to hide the seams.
DifficultyIntermediate
TimeA day per room including painting
SkillsComfortable with a miter saw; coping takes a little practice
Tools you'll need
- Miter saw
- Coping saw (for inside corners)
- Brad nailer or hammer and finish nails
- Stud finder
- Caulk gun and paintable caulk
- Wood filler
Step by step
- Measure and find the studsMeasure each wall and mark stud locations — baseboard nails into studs and the bottom plate, not just drywall.
- Cope the inside cornersCut the first piece square into the corner; cope the second piece to its profile so the joint stays tight even if the corner isn't 90°.
- Miter the outside cornersCut outside corners at 45° (tweak the angle for out-of-square walls) and glue the miter for a seamless wrap.
- Nail it onFasten into studs and the plate, keeping the board tight to the floor (or to your flooring spacer gap).
- Fill, caulk, and paintFill nail holes, caulk the top edge and any corner gaps, then paint for a crisp, built-in look.
Common mistakes
Mitering inside corners
Inside miters open up as wood moves. Cope them instead — coped joints stay tight.
Nailing only into drywall
Find the studs and bottom plate so the trim actually holds.
Skipping caulk
A thin bead of caulk along the top and at corners is what makes trim look professional once painted.
Safety
- Keep hands clear of the saw blade and use a hold-down on small pieces.
- Eye protection when nailing and cutting.
Frequently asked questions
How much baseboard do I need?
Enter the room size and door count above — the calculator subtracts openings, adds 10% for miters, and returns linear feet and 16 ft pieces.
Should I cope or miter inside corners?
Cope them. Coped inside corners stay tight as the wood and house move; inside miters open up.
What nails for baseboard?
2"–2.5" finish or brad nails into the studs and bottom plate.
Next steps for this project
Sources & references
- Follow finish-carpentry best practices for coping and mitering