Skirting board planning guide
Measure the actual runs before turning length into whole stock pieces.
Back to calculator ↑Measure and prepare
For a rectangular room, measure length and width along the walls and enter the combined doorway and other unfitted runs to subtract. For an irregular room, sum only the wall runs receiving skirting and choose the measured-run mode; do not subtract openings again.
Walk the room and record each floor-level run separately. Deduct only places where no board will be installed, such as a doorway or a cabinet meeting the floor. Do not deduct a window because skirting normally continues beneath it. Measure around columns and projections along the actual installation path, rather than relying only on the room dimensions on a plan.
How the estimate works
The rectangular route uses 2 × (length + width) minus unfitted runs. The measured-run route uses only the runs to be covered, with no second deduction. Add the cutting allowance, divide by stock length and round up.
A 4 × 3 m room has 14 m perimeter. Deduct 0.9 m to get 13.1 m; adding 10% gives 14.41 m. At 2.4 m per stock length, order seven lengths.
The seven-length example rounds up aggregate demand. A 2.4 m stock piece cannot cover a 4 m run without a joint, so list the cut pieces needed for each wall before confirming the order. Record visible joint locations and allow for both ends of mitred corners. A simple percentage is a first allowance, not a guarantee that a set of stock lengths can satisfy every cut.
Check the order
Match profile, finish, actual stock length, corner detail and end caps. A long visible run may need continuous lengths, so leftover offcuts may not be reusable.
Choose a profile and height that work with the floor and door frames. Confirm actual sellable length, internal and external corner pieces, end caps and compatible adhesive or fixings. Keep the finish code and batch on the order list so any extra pieces match. Separate accessory costs from the length count; this calculator counts only board lengths.
Limits of the estimate
The length estimate is not a per-wall cutting plan. Sketch individual cuts and joint positions before ordering.
An L-shaped room or several short runs may need more pieces than aggregate length suggests because leftovers do not necessarily fit the next run. When the result is close to a whole-piece boundary, ask the installer or seller to make a cut list. Check whether unopened, uncut pieces can be returned before adding an extra spare. If joints should be hidden behind furniture, mark those positions on the cut list. Moving a joint may change which cuts fit within each stock length.
Common questions
How do I deduct doors?
Sum the floor widths of every opening without skirting.
Why add a cutting allowance?
Mitres and joins consume stock beyond net wall length.
Can short offcuts be reused?
Only if the leftover length and joint location suit another run.
Sources and calculation guidance
Check these against your chosen product’s label and instructions.