How to use this calculator
- Measure eaves. Sum the linear feet of all roof eaves (the lower edges where gutters mount). Skip the gable ends.
- Enter story height. For downspout drop calculations. Typical 1-story: 10 ft; 2-story: 20 ft.
- Enter price per foot (optional). Aluminum K-style 5": $7–$12/ft installed. Seamless aluminum: $8–$14. Copper: $25–$40. Half-round: $12–$20.
- Read your bill of materials. Linear feet of gutter, sections (10-ft each), downspouts with footage, hangers, elbows, total estimate.
Formula
Gutter Length = Eave Perimeter; Downspouts = Length ÷ 35 ft
Worked example
A 2-story house with 120 ft of eave: 12 sections of 10-ft gutter, 4 downspouts (with 14 ft of downspout pipe each = 56 ft), 60 hangers, 8 elbows. At $7/ft + $6/downspout-ft + $1.25/hanger: $1,251 in materials.
Common project sizes
Quick reference for the most common gutter calculator use cases. Use these as a sanity check on your calculator inputs.
| Project | Dimensions | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1-story ranch (1,500 ft²) | 120 ft eave | 12 sections · 4 downspouts · 60 hangers |
| 2-story home (2,000 ft²) | 120 ft eave | 12 sections · 4 downspouts · 60 hangers |
| 2-story with garage (2,500 ft²) | 180 ft eave | 18 sections · 6 downspouts · 90 hangers |
| Garage / shed (24 × 24 ft) | 48 ft eave | 5 sections · 2 downspouts · 24 hangers |
2026 cost reference
Typical retail price range in the United States for gutter. Local pricing varies by region, supplier, and grade — confirm with two or three quotes before ordering.
Per linear foot (installed)
$7 – $40
Aluminum K-style 5" sectional: $7–$10/ft. Seamless aluminum: $8–$14/ft. Steel galvanized: $9–$13/ft. Copper: $25–$40/ft. Vinyl: $4–$8/ft (DIY-friendly but cracks in cold).
Tips for accurate results
- 5" K-style is residential standard. Use 6" for high-rainfall zones, complex roofs, or roofs over 1,500 ft² of catchment per downspout.
- Place downspouts every 30–40 ft of gutter run. Add an extra downspout at each corner where two gutter runs meet.
- Slope gutters 1/4" per 10 ft toward the downspout. Most failures are flat or back-pitched gutters that pool water.
- Hangers every 24" minimum, every 18" in heavy snow zones. Hidden hangers (clip inside gutter) are cleaner than spike-and-ferrule.
- Always extend downspouts 4–6 ft from foundation with splash blocks or buried drain tiles. Foundations rot when downspouts dump at the wall.
When to consult a pro
Single-story gutter installation is workable DIY with a helper and an extension ladder. 2-story or higher: hire a pro — most gutter falls are from solo ladder work without a stabilizer. Seamless aluminum installation requires an on-site brake (machine that bends the gutter from coil), so DIY is limited to sectional aluminum or vinyl. Copper is always pro work.