Skirting Board Calculator

Work out the skirting board length for a room, deduct door openings and convert the result into whole pieces to buy.

Formula and method

The room perimeter is taken from the room dimensions, reduced by the width of each doorway, increased by the waste allowance and divided by the length of one skirting board.

How to measure the inputs

Measure the room length and width and let the calculator derive the perimeter.
Measure each doorway width and count how many are in the room.
Check the length of the skirting you plan to buy: 2.4 m and 3 m are both common.

Worked example

Room length 13.12 ft; Room width 9.84 ft; Door count 1; Door width 2.62 ft; Board length 4.92 ft; Waste 12 % → Skirting pieces: 10

Practical tips

Buy all the skirting at once so the profile and finish match.
Add extra for internal corners where offcuts are too short to reuse.
Prime or seal the skirting before fitting to protect the back edge.

Assumptions

The room is rectangular, so the perimeter covers all four walls.
Only door openings are deducted; corners and joints are covered by the waste allowance.
Skirting is assumed to be the same profile throughout the room.

Frequently asked questions

Should I deduct the doorway width or the whole door opening?

Deduct the clear opening width. Skirting normally stops at each side of the frame, not in the middle of the door.

How much waste do I need for skirting?

10–12 % is typical: every corner needs a mitre and the last piece in each wall run is usually cut down.

Should I order pieces by length or by piece count?

Use the piece count to buy, and the total length to compare suppliers, since skirting is sold in fixed lengths such as 2.4 m or 3 m.

Related calculators

Estimate only

Results are material quantity estimates only. They are not structural design, and they are not a substitute for local building codes, engineer approval or manufacturer instructions.

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Flooring