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Outlet Spacing Calculator

Calculate the minimum number of wall outlets required for a room under the NEC 12-foot rule.

Computed in your browser — nothing you enter is uploaded. Figures are presented for United States against IRC 2024, and every formula is cited under regulatory standards below.

Last verified 2026-08-25 · v1.0.0

Market
Imperial · sales tax
39.37 ft
Schematic, drawn to the proportions you entered — not to scale on screen.

Minimum outlets required

5 outlets (minimum)

High confidence
Wall run length
39.37 ft

With the figures above, the minimum outlets required comes to 5 outlets (minimum). This is calculated for United States and cites IRC 2024. Building in another market? Change the selector above so the units and code reference follow.

Estimated cost — your price

This site holds no price list for this material — local prices vary too much to publish honestly. Enter your supplier's price and the result is costed with it.

Preliminary estimate, not certified engineering. This tool produces an indicative quantity calculation for planning purposes only — it is not a certified structural analysis, a guaranteed material takeoff, or a substitute for building department approval. Always verify measurements on-site and have a licensed contractor or structural engineer review any load-bearing, code-sensitive, or safety-critical work before purchasing materials or starting construction. Spotted an arithmetic or standards error? Report it to contact@craftquantities.com with your inputs — confirmed fixes become pinned regression tests.

[Schema Verified] Computed in alignment with American Concrete Institute (ACI 318-19) formulas and International Residential Code (IRC 2024) spatial boundaries.

Regulatory standards & verification citations

  • NEC 210.52: no point along a wall line may be more than 6 ft from a receptacle, meaning outlets are required at least every 12 ft along usable wall space

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Frequently asked questions

Why every 12 feet specifically?
The NEC rule ensures no point along a wall is more than 6 ft from an outlet, so a standard 6 ft appliance cord can always reach one without needing an extension cord — a common fire-risk workaround the rule is designed to prevent.
Does this count kitchen counter outlets?
No — countertops have their own, stricter NEC spacing rule (typically requiring an outlet within 24 in of any point along the counter). This calculator is for general wall outlets only.
Is this a substitute for an electrician's plan?
No. This is the code-minimum count for one wall run — a full electrical plan also considers dedicated circuits, GFCI/AFCI requirements, and your actual furniture layout.