FREE WALL LAYOUT PLANNER
Picture frame molding calculator
Use this picture frame molding calculator—also called box molding—to plan equal wall frames, check an obstacle, and print a cut list. Work in inches or centimeters.
1 Set your dimensions
2 Preview your layout
FRONT VIEW3 Your cut list
45° MITERS| Piece | Qty | Length | Face width |
|---|---|---|---|
| Horizontal frame pieces45° miters · long point | 6 | 42.667 in | 1.25 in |
| Vertical frame pieces45° miters · long point | 6 | 52 in | 1.25 in |
Total length is not a stock-board count. Check available lengths, saw kerf, defects, and offcuts before buying. Frame lengths are outside long-point to long-point measurements.
Plan one flat, rectangular wall at a time. Enable the obstacle check to compare layouts around one window or outlet, including its casing or cover plate. The tool checks trim overlap; it does not notch pieces, relocate outlets, or check unmarked obstacles. Tape out the design and check every measurement before cutting.
FROM PLAN TO WALL
Measure to the outside of each frame.
The outer margin is the clear space between the layout boundary and the outside of the molding. The frame gap is measured between the outside edges of neighboring frames.
A worked example
On a 144 × 60-inch area, three columns, one row, 4-inch margins and 4-inch gaps produce 42.667 × 52-inch frames. With 1.25-inch molding, the inside openings are approximately 40.167 × 49.5 inches.
Cut six horizontal and six vertical pieces, measuring from long point to long point. The total is approximately 47.33 linear feet before extra material.
Read the measuring guideMEASURE THE RIGHT PART
A frame is measured outside to outside.
- AOuter margin
- From the layout boundary to the frame’s outer edge.
- BFrame gap
- Clear space between the outside edges of frames.
- COutside frame width
- Long point to long point for mitered pieces.
Picture frame molding spacing questions
Is picture frame molding the same as wainscoting?
Picture frame molding, often called box molding, uses rectangular trim boxes applied to a wall. It can form part of a wainscoting design below a chair rail. This tool calculates those boxes; it does not calculate solid raised panels or beadboard sheets. Moulding is another spelling of molding.
Which dimension goes on the miter saw?
The cut list uses the outside long-point to long-point length, with opposing 45-degree miters. It is different from the clear opening inside a frame, which is smaller by twice the molding width in each direction.
Can the layout avoid an outlet or window?
Enable the obstacle check and mark the full cover plate or casing. It compares counts while keeping your other measurements fixed. Only one obstacle is checked, and some layouts have no solution within that search.
Are the measurements exact?
The math uses unrounded values; the screen rounds the results. Real walls are rarely perfectly square. Check the fit and use the measuring precision your tools support.
Does this include installation materials?
The cut list covers trim only. Adhesive, fasteners, caulk, paint, substrate panels, and finishing materials are not included. Follow your trim manufacturer’s installation instructions.
Which style should I use?
Board and batten creates vertical divisions between full-width rails. Picture frame molding adds closed rectangles to a wall. Try the other layout to compare proportions.