When planning a move, it’s important to measure materials and volumes correctly. Linear feet is a simple way to measure length along a straight line. In moving, this term is often used to figure out how much space your belongings take up or how many boards, carpet, or other materials you need. One linear foot equals a continuous length of exactly 12 inches, regardless of the material’s width or thickness.
Key things to know about linear feet in moving:
- Measures only length, ignoring width and thickness.
- Used to calculate lengths of pipes, baseboards, carpeting, and other materials.
- Helps plan packing and how much room things will occupy in a truck.
Real-life example:
If you have a board that is 10 feet long, it counts as 10 linear feet no matter how wide or thick it is. This helps you understand how much truck space you will need.
What Are Lineal Feet in Moving?
The term lineal feet is less common and more abstract. It generally describes length or distance along a straight line but often emphasizes a sequence or arrangement. In moving, lineal feet is sometimes used to talk about the length of a row of objects — for example, a line of boxes or furniture arranged along a wall.
Characteristics of lineal feet in moving:
- Describes the length taken up by items arranged in a line.
- Often seen in inventory lists or storage planning.
- Can be referenced in lease agreements or storage unit descriptions.
Example in moving:
If you line up your boxes along a wall and they take up 50 lineal feet, this measurement helps you figure out how much storage space you’ll need.
Linear Feet vs. Lineal Feet in Moving: The Difference
| Aspect | Linear Feet | Lineal Feet |
|---|---|---|
| What it measures | Actual length of an item or material | Length of items arranged in a sequence |
| Common usage | Measuring materials, packing, truck space | Describing arrangement or alignment |
| Example | Length of flooring, carpet, pipes | Length of a row of boxes or furniture |
When to Use Each Term in Moving
Use Linear Feet when:
- Calculating how many feet of baseboard, carpet, or fabric you need.
- Estimating lengths for packing materials or truck space.
- Measuring furniture or items’ length to plan loading.
Use Lineal Feet when:
- Describing how items are arranged sequentially.
- Planning storage space based on the layout of things.
- Detailing lengths in legal or leasing documents related to moving.
Common Confusion
People often mix these terms, but here’s the key to remember:
- Linear feet is a straightforward length measurement for practical moving calculations.
- Lineal feet is more about the concept of continuous alignment or a sequence.
Summary
Understanding the difference between linear and lineal feet helps you plan your move more accurately and avoid confusion. For measuring materials and space, linear feet is the go-to term. For describing arrangement or alignment, lineal feet is appropriate.
