Gutter calculator: what to measure
Gutters are bought and priced by the linear foot, so the main number is simply the total length of the eaves that need them. The calculator then counts the parts:
- Downspouts — one per 20–30 ft of gutter (pick 20 ft for heavy-rain areas or large roofs). Each downspout runs from the eave to the ground plus about 2 ft to clear the foundation.
- Hangers — one every 24 in, or every 18 in where snow and ice load the gutters.
- Elbows — about three per downspout: two to jog from the gutter back to the wall, one at the bottom.
- Miters and end caps — one per corner and per open end.
Gutters slope about 1/4 in per 10 ft toward each outlet, so on long runs the downspout often goes in the middle with the gutter pitched both ways.
Gutter cost calculator
| Price per foot (installed) | 120 ft of eaves | 150 ft | 200 ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| $6.50 | $780 | $975 | $1,300 |
| $8.00 | $960 | $1,200 | $1,600 |
| $10.00 | $1,200 | $1,500 | $2,000 |
| $12.00 | $1,440 | $1,800 | $2,400 |
| $13.00 | $1,560 | $1,950 | $2,600 |
HomeWyse's May 2026 national figures put installed seamless aluminum at $6.29–$10.45 per linear foot; other 2026 guides run up to about $13. Enter your quote's price per foot, and a per-downspout price if the quote lists downspouts separately.
What moves the price: second-story work, steep roofs, removing old gutters, 6 in gutters instead of 5 in, copper or steel, and gutter guards. Ask for downspouts, guards and removal as separate lines so you can compare quotes like for like.
How many downspouts do I need?
More downspouts are cheap insurance. A gutter that can't drain fast enough overflows at the corners and dumps water right next to the foundation — exactly where it does the most damage. Our recommendation is one downspout per 20–30 ft and never fewer than one per separate run, with each one discharging several feet from the house through an extension or onto a splash block. A bed of river rock under the outlet keeps the soil from washing out.
Choosing the roof material too? Read metal roof vs shingles. Replacing the roof first? Do the gutters after the new drip edge is on — the roofing calculator counts the drip edge — and if you're residing too, the siding calculator uses the same measurements.
