PAPER CALCULATOR
Linear Footage
Determine the linear footage of a roll of paper.

Our Linear Footage Calculator lets you easily determine the linear footage of a roll of paper. Simply fill in your individual data below, then click "Calculate".

Note: specify all dimensions in inches (using decimal fractions) and weight in pounds.

Input Variables
Paper Type:
Basis Weight:   (in lbs)
Roll Width:   (in.)
Roll Weight:   (lbs.)

More Information

Example

Find the linear footage for a roll of 70 lb Book paper, width 17.5" wide, roll diameter 40" and roll weight of 909 lbs.

Formula:
(Roll Weight) × (Basis Area) × 12 = Linear Feet
(Basis Weight) × (Roll Width)    
Equation:
909 × 3,299 × 12 = 29,376 lineal ft
70 × 17.5    

Round results to the nearest foot.
To calculate linear yards, simply divide the linear footage by 3.
To calculate linear meters, divide the linear footage by 3.2084.

Basis Sizes and Areas
Paper Type Basis Size Basis Area¹
Book / Offset25" x 38"3,299 ft²
Cover20" x 26"1,806 ft²
Bond17" x 22"1,299 ft²
Tag / Newsprint24" x 36"3,000 ft²
Bristol22.5" x 28.5"2,227 ft²
Index25.5" x 30.5"2,701 ft²

¹Note: the Basis Area is the total square footage for a ream of paper cut to the Basis Size for the paper type.



Other Formulas using linear footage:

Approximate roll weight:
(Linear footage) × (Basis Weight) × (Roll Width) = Total Weight
(Basis Area) × 12    
Pounds per inch:
(Linear footage) × Basis Weight = Pounds per inch
(Basis Area) × 12