PROJECT SUMMARY
Countertop project summary
Countertop20 lin ft · 56 sq ft
- Material
- Laminate
- Depth
- 25"
- Backsplash
- 4" high
- Cutouts
- 1 sink
- Seams
- 2
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Build time
- 1–2 days
- Estimated materials
- $485–$656
Countertop Calculator
Square footage, seams, edging and cost by counter run and material.
Configure
Countertop calculator
Material
Advanced optionsfine-tune the details…
Estimates are planning aids, not a professional quote. Double-check quantities and product coverage — and any local code or permit requirements — before you buy.
⚠ Measure carefully and template the runs: account for the counter overhang, out-of-square walls, and where seams will fall. Locate seams away from sink and cooktop cutouts, where the top is weakest.
Cost breakdown
Material only · national-average rates
| Countertops | $447–$605 |
| Fasteners & Hardware | $24–$32 |
| Finishing & Sealant | $14–$18 |
| Total | $485–$656 |
Excludes tools, delivery, tax and permit fees. Labor not included — this is a DIY materials estimate.
Shopping list
Every item · grouped by store sectionThese are affiliate links: we may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. It never changes what the calculator recommends — the shopping list comes from your dimensions, not from what pays.
Countertops
- 56× sq ftCountertop material — Laminate — 20 lin ft × 25" + 4" backsplash · +15% waste
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- 25× lin ftEdge banding / laminate edge — front edge + exposed ends
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- 20× lin ftBuild-up strips (1×2 / plywood) — thickens the front edge & supports the deck
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Fasteners & Hardware
- 3× tubesContact / construction adhesive
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- 6× eaSink / cooktop mounting clips
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Finishing & Sealant
- 2× tubes100% silicone sealant — seal seams, the sink and the backsplash-to-wall joint
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Tools
✓ required · ○ helpful
- Circular saw / track saw + fine-tooth blade
- Jigsaw — sink & cooktop cutouts
- Router + flush/roundover bits — trimming laminate edges
- Belt sander / block plane
- Clamps & straightedge
- Caulk gun
- Tape measure & level
- File / edge tool
Project notes
- Estimates are a planning aid. Countertop material is figured as the run length times the depth (about 25" with the overhang), plus the backsplash, plus waste for cuts, corners and mistakes — 15% is a sensible default, more for a busy L- or U-shaped layout.
- Quartz and granite are priced here as slab material only. In practice they're templated, cut, edged and installed by a fabricator, and that labor is often as much as the stone — get a fabrication quote for the real total.
- Laminate and butcher block are the DIY-friendly options: laminate over a plywood/particleboard deck with build-up edges, or solid butcher block fastened so it can move seasonally. Seal butcher block with a food-safe finish before use and re-oil it now and then.
- Plan your seams before you cut. Keep them out of the sink and cooktop areas where the top is weakest, support the cutout corners, and dry-fit everything before applying adhesive.
About this calculator
How to estimate a countertop
Enter the total length of your counter runs, the depth and the material, and the Countertop Calculator converts it into square footage — the number you actually order and price by — plus the backsplash area, edging, seam count and a material cost estimate. It's the fast way to scope laminate, butcher block or a quartz/granite slab before you shop or request a quote.
Add a backsplash, sink and cooktop cutouts, and the takeoff adjusts. Laminate and butcher block are genuine DIY installs; quartz and granite are usually fabricated and installed by a pro, so the tool estimates their slab material only and flags the fabrication cost.
Step by step
How to install a countertop
A step-by-step walkthrough to go with your plan above. Follow the product instructions and any local code or permit requirements as you work.
- 1
Measure the runs
Measure the length of every straight run of countertop and note the depth and any islands. The calculator turns your linear feet into the square footage you'll order and price by.
- 2
Plan seams and cutouts
Sketch where seams will fall — away from the sink and cooktop — and mark the sink, faucet and cooktop cutout locations from their templates. Dry-fit the plan before cutting anything.
- 3
Prep the cabinets
Check that the base cabinets are level and shimmed, and add build-up strips or a plywood deck where the material needs support (laminate especially).
- 4
Cut to size
Cut the tops to length with a fine-tooth blade, cutting from the finished face down for laminate to avoid chipping. Make the sink and cooktop openings with a jigsaw, supporting the cut piece.
- 5
Fit the edges
Apply laminate edge banding or build up and shape the front edge; for butcher block, ease and sand the exposed edges. Test-fit each piece against the wall and scribe for any gaps.
- 6
Fasten and seam
Secure the tops to the cabinets (figure-8 clips for solid wood so it can move), and join seams tightly with the recommended fastener or seam kit, keeping the surfaces flush.
- 7
Seal and finish
Oil butcher block with a food-safe finish, then run silicone along the seams, the sink rim, and the backsplash-to-wall joint. Let everything cure before heavy use.
Equip the job
Recommended gear for this build
Hand-picked categories that match the shopping list above. Links open a current selection so you can compare brands and prices.
These are affiliate links: we may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. It never changes what the calculator recommends — the shopping list comes from your dimensions, not from what pays.
CountertopsButcher block countertopWarm, DIY-friendly solid wood you can cut and finish with standard tools.
$25–40/sq ft
CountertopsLaminate sheet + contact cementThe most affordable surface — bonds to a plywood deck with build-up edges.
$6–10/sq ft
Finishing & SealantFood-safe butcher-block oil/finishSeals wood tops against water and stains; re-apply periodically.
$12–18
Fasteners & HardwareSink & cooktop mounting clipsSecure undermount/drop-in fixtures tightly to the underside of the top.
$8–12/set
Finishing & Sealant100% silicone sealantSeals seams, the sink rim and the backsplash-to-wall joint against water.
$7–10/tube
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Answers
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate countertop square footage?
Multiply the total length of your counter runs (in feet) by the depth (about 25 inches, or roughly 2.1 feet, including the overhang), then add the backsplash and a waste allowance for cuts and corners. A 20-foot run at standard depth is about 42 square feet before backsplash and waste. This calculator does that from your run length, depth and options.
How much does it cost to replace countertops?
Material alone varies enormously: laminate runs a few dollars per square foot, butcher block is mid-range, and quartz or granite slab material is much more — before fabrication. For stone, the templating, cutting, edging and installation labor is often as much as the slab itself, so budget for both. Laminate and butcher block can be DIY, which removes the labor cost entirely.
Can I install countertops myself?
Laminate (over a plywood or particleboard deck) and butcher block are very DIY-friendly with basic tools and careful measuring. Quartz and granite are heavy, brittle, and cut with wet diamond tooling from a precise template, so they're almost always fabricated and installed by professionals. This calculator estimates DIY laminate and butcher block in full, and quartz/granite as slab material to price against a fabricator's quote.
How much extra material should I buy for seams and cutouts?
Plan on about 10–15% waste for a simple straight run, and more for L- or U-shaped kitchens with several corners and cutouts, where offcuts often can't be reused. Keep seams out of the sink and cooktop areas where the top is weakest, and always dry-fit before you glue or cut the final pieces.