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Countertop square footage

Counter area, slab count, edge profile, cut-outs and installation priced by material.

By the LocalServiceHQ editorial team
Updated Oct 29, 2026
Formulas and sources listed below
Prices checked Oct 2026
Your job
Edge profile
Island or peninsula
Your estimate
Counter area
—
square feet, backsplash included
Typical installed
—
material, fabrication, cut-outs and install
Typical range for this job: —
How it adds upTypical
Materialslabs priced per square foot
—
Fabricationcutting, polishing and seam work
—
Edge profilestandard included, premium $15–$40 per ft
—
Cut-outs$50–$250 per sink or cooktop opening
—
Installationtemplating, delivery and setting
—
Cost per sq fttotal ÷ counter area
—
US countertop prices for October 2026: laminate $35–$95 per sq ft installed, quartz $60–$150, granite $50–$140 and butcher block $45–$130. Slabs average about 55 sq ft, so a typical kitchen needs one to three slabs plus cut-out charges.
Ask for a template visit and a slab layout. Two quotes on the same stone can differ by a whole slab.
Photo via Pexels

How the math works

Counter area
Measure
length × depth + backsplash
Depth is usually 25.5 in for base cabinets.
Slabs
Material
area ÷ 55, rounded up
A typical kitchen needs 1 to 3 slabs.
Cut-outs
Fabrication
$50 to $250 each
Sink, cooktop and outlet cut-outs are extra.
Installed rate
Cost
$35 to $150 per sq ft
Laminate cheapest, quartz and granite in the middle, exotic stone highest.

Common starting points

Common US counter lengths at 25.5 in depth with a 4 in backsplash.

Tap a preset in the calculator above to load a typical job, then adjust the numbers to match your site.
Starting points: 8 ft laminate · 12 ft quartz · 20 ft quartz · 30 ft quartz with island · 12 ft granite

Rather hire it out?

See installed prices and permit rules for countertop square footage.

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How to use the countertop square footage

Measure each run, add the backsplash and island, then compare bids with slab layouts.

1
Measure each run
Length along the wall times depth, plus the backsplash strip.
2
Add the island
Islands are measured separately and often reuse a slab off-cut.
3
Count the cut-outs
Sink, cooktop and outlets are priced per opening.
4
Ask for a slab layout
Seam placement and veining direction should be agreed before fabrication.

Mistakes that cost homeowners money

!
Ordering by square footage alone without a slab layout and seam plan.
!
Forgetting the backsplash and island, then paying for extra material.
!
Choosing a material with veins that need book-matching, which uses more slab.
!
Skipping the template visit, which leads to wrong dimensions.

Countertop square footage FAQ

How do I calculate countertop square footage?

Multiply the length in feet by the depth in feet, then add the backsplash strip. A 12 ft run at 25.5 in deep with a 4 in backsplash is about 27 sq ft.

One slab covers about 55 sq ft, but seams and cut-outs waste material. Most kitchens need one to three slabs.

Laminate runs $35 to $95 installed, quartz $60 to $150, and granite $50 to $140. Cut-outs and edge profiles are extra.

Yes for stone and quartz. A fabricator measures on site after cabinets are installed, which is why countertops go in late in a remodel.

One day for installation after fabrication, which takes one to three weeks. Measure only after the base cabinets are level and fixed.

Laminate is the least expensive installed option, followed by butcher block. Quartz and granite cost more but last longer and add resale value.

Using the calculator defaults, 8 ft laminate gives Counter area: 19.7 and Typical installed: $1,480, with a typical range $928 to $2,228. Change the waste allowance, material or thickness to match your site.

Using the calculator defaults, 12 ft granite gives Counter area: 29.5 and Typical installed: $2,808, with a typical range $1,715 to $4,490. Change the waste allowance, material or thickness to match your site.