Baseboard and trim calculator

Every line shows the quantity to buy and how StudSheet got it: the spacing, the waste and the package size, so you can check it before the supply house or the quote.

In Canada (4.27 m × 3.66 m room)

Set to Canada, the Sheet works the job out again for Ontario: metric sizes, bag sizes, the frost depth and the code notes. It doesn't just convert feet to meters. The first lines:

• 2 pieces, Baseboard 83 mm, primed: Baseboard on 4 walls, stopping at 1 door: 14.94 m cut wall by wall from 2 × 4.88 m + 2 × 3.66 m (17.07 m, at least +10% for recuts).
• 2 pieces, Baseboard 83 mm, primed: Baseboard on 4 walls, stopping at 1 door: 14.94 m cut wall by wall from 2 × 4.88 m + 2 × 3.66 m (17.07 m, at least +10% for recuts).
• 1 box, Finish nails (15 or 16-ga): 2 into every stud for baseboard: about 85 with 15% extra, in boxes of 1,000.
• 1, Wood glue, small bottle: Copes, outside miters and scarf joints stay closed when they’re glued.
• 2 tubes, Painter’s acrylic caulk (paintable): The top of the baseboard: 14.94 m + 15% at about 15.24 m a tube (a 3–5 mm bead).
• 1 tub, Wood putty, small tub: Fill every set nail head before the finish.

1. Mark every stud on the wall just above where the trim’s top edge will be.
2. Baseboard: start on the wall opposite the door; square-cut into the first inside corner and cope the next piece, miter the outside corners, and scarf-join long walls over a stud with glue.
3. Fill: putty the nail holes; caulk the top edges and the casing to the wall, never the joint between shoe and floor, and let the caulk cure before painting.
4. Paint: two coats of semi-gloss trim paint, with tape on the floor.

Must-have tools first, then the ones that help and the ones to rent for the day.

Mistakes that cost a callback or a second trip

• Mitering inside corners: Miters on inside corners open up as the house moves. Square-cut one piece and cope the other.
• Nailing shoe into the floor: A floating floor has to move under it: nail shoe to the baseboard only.
• No reveal on casing: Casing flush with the jamb edge shows every wiggle. A ⅛–3/16″ reveal hides it.
• Joints between studs: A scarf joint that isn’t over a stud moves and cracks. Land every joint on a stud, glued.
• MDF in a wet room: MDF swells at the floor in bathrooms and basements. Use PVC there.
• Caulking a stain-grade joint: Caulk shows on stained wood. Cut tight joints and use matching filler instead.

What the calculator assumes

• Four walls, length × width. Baseboard and shoe stop at each 3 ft door opening; crown runs all the way around.
• Pieces are cut wall by wall from 8′, 12′, 16′ lengths at the lowest cost; a wall longer than 16′ is spliced with a scarf joint over a stud.
• Then extra length until the stock covers the run + 10% (15% for crown and with 3 or more outside corners), for recuts and short returns.
• Casing (typical): a door side is two 83″ legs and a 41″ head; a window 3 ft wide and 4 ft tall is cased on 4 sides (two 53″ legs, two 41″ pieces).
• Nails: 2 per stud (16″ apart) for baseboard and crown, a pair every 12″ for casing. Caulk about 50 ft a tube. Paint: 2 coats at 350 sq ft per gallon on the trim’s face.

The Sheet sets its code notes for the job's state or province. These are New Jersey's and Ontario's; the code reference has more. Always confirm with your building department.

• Permits: a job like this usually needs none, but towns set their own rules. Ask your building department if you're not sure.

What materials do I need to install baseboard and trim?

For the worked example, a 14′ × 12′ room, the Sheet counts 7 lines with waste included, starting with baseboard 3¼″, primed (2 pieces), baseboard 3¼″, primed (2 pieces), finish nails (15 or 16-ga) (1 box), wood glue, small bottle (1). Each line's math is in the table above. Put in your own sizes in the trim calculator and every line is counted again.

How long does it take to install baseboard and trim, and can I do it myself?

About 6 to 9 hours for the worked example, in 4 steps. StudSheet stamps it DIY OK: you can do this.

What tools do I need to install baseboard and trim?

17 in all. The must-haves start with miter saw, coping saw, tape measure (25 ft), carpenter's pencil, stud finder, finish nailer (15/16-ga). On the Sheet you mark each one as owned, to buy or to rent.

Stuck while you install baseboard and trim? Ask in the Trim and molding group of the StudSheet community with this Sheet attached. Homeowners who've done it and verified pros answer, and anyone can read it.

• Carpentry and framing for contractors: run this takeoff at your own prices, send the estimate, and get it signed and the deposit paid.
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• Code reference: frost depths, guard heights, stairs, retaining walls.