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DOOR TRIM CALCULATOR
DOOR TRIM CALCULATOR
This door trim calculator estimates the amount of casing required for door openings using real trim geometry instead of simple linear footage.
This door trim calculator estimates the amount of casing required for door openings using real trim geometry instead of simple linear footage.
A door trim calculator estimates how much casing is required to finish a door opening.
Most calculators simply total the linear feet of trim needed based on door height and width.
For a quick estimate, this works.
But real trim jobs involve cutting pieces from stock lengths, which means the actual number of boards required depends on how trim pieces nest inside each stick.
This is where many trim calculators fall short.
If you want a quick estimate using simple math, try our basic moulding and casing calculator.
It totals the linear feet of trim required for doors and windows.
Try the Linear Foot Trim Calculator
This calculator works the same way most trim estimators do: it adds up the total linear footage and divides it by the stock length.
However, this approach often underestimates the number of sticks required.
WHY MOST DOOR TRIM CALCULATORS ARE WRONG.
WHY MOST DOOR TRIM CALCULATORS ARE WRONG.
Traditional trim calculators assume trim can be cut perfectly from stock.
But trim is sold in fixed stick lengths, typically: (8'-16')
Door legs and heads must be cut from these boards.
Once cuts are made, leftover pieces are often too short to reuse for the next opening.
Because of this, simple linear math frequently produces the wrong material count.
EXAMPLE: A STANDARD 8-FOOT DOOR
EXAMPLE: A STANDARD 8-FOOT DOOR
A typical 2/6 × 8/0 door requires:
Leg: 96"
Leg: 96"
Leg: 96"
Leg: 96"
Head: 36"
Head: 36"
Total linear footage:
456 inches
456 ÷ 12 = 38 linear feet
If trim comes in 14-foot sticks:
38 ÷ 14 = 2.7 sticks
Most calculators say:
Buy 3 pieces
But when the pieces are actually cut from stock boards, the legs cannot nest properly.
The real requirement becomes:
4 sticks
This is the trim waste problem.
THE LINEAR FOOT MATH PROBLEM
THE LINEAR FOOT MATH PROBLEM
Linear footage calculators ignore:
• stock length limitations
• cut geometry
• leftover offcuts
• nesting efficiency
For contractors and suppliers, this can cause:
• under-ordering material
• additional trips to the lumber yard
• wasted trim pieces
• lost time on site
THE PROFESSIONAL SOLUTION: CUT-MAP OPTIMIZATION
THE PROFESSIONAL SOLUTION: CUT-MAP OPTIMIZATION
CHIPTRIM solves this problem using Cut-Map Optimization.
Instead of adding linear footage, CHIPTRIM calculates how trim pieces fit inside real stock lengths.
This produces:
• accurate stick counts
• optimized cut maps
• printable order summaries
• reduced trim waste
The result is a true trim takeoff, not just an estimate.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
A standard door requires two vertical legs and one horizontal head.
The total trim length depends on door size, casing profile, and reveal spacing.
Why do trim calculators underestimate materials?
Most calculators only total linear feet and ignore how trim pieces must be cut from fixed-length boards.
What is the best way to estimate trim for multiple doors?
For multiple openings, using a trim optimizer that calculates stock usage and nesting patterns produces the most accurate results.
Last updated: 03/08/2026
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