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Lumber & Board Foot Calculator

Hardwood lumber is sold by the board foot — a unit that can be confusing. This calculator converts standard dimensions to board feet and estimates your total cost.

Enter Your Measurements

Results

Enter your measurements to see results

How to Use This Calculator

  1. Enter the board thickness in inches (nominal or actual).
  2. Enter the board width in inches.
  3. Enter the board length in feet.
  4. Enter the number of boards you need.
  5. Optionally enter price per board foot for cost estimate.

How Lumber Calculation Works

A board foot is a volume measurement: 1 inch thick × 12 inches wide × 12 inches long (144 cubic inches). Hardwood lumber is priced by the board foot, while dimensional lumber (2×4s, 2×6s) is typically priced per linear foot or per piece. Note that nominal dimensions differ from actual — a '2×4' is actually 1.5×3.5 inches. This calculator uses the values you enter directly, so use actual dimensions for accurate results.

Formula

Board Feet = Thickness (in) × Width (in) × Length (ft) ÷ 12. Total = Board Feet per board × Quantity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a board foot?
A board foot (BF) is a unit of volume equal to 144 cubic inches — think of a board that is 1 inch thick, 12 inches wide, and 12 inches long. It's the standard pricing unit for hardwood lumber.
How do I convert nominal to actual lumber dimensions?
Common conversions: 1× = 3/4 inch actual, 2× = 1.5 inches actual. Width: 4 = 3.5, 6 = 5.5, 8 = 7.25, 10 = 9.25, 12 = 11.25. For example, a 2×6 is actually 1.5 × 5.5 inches.
How much does lumber cost per board foot?
Prices vary widely by species. Pine/poplar: $2–$5/BF. Oak: $4–$8/BF. Walnut: $8–$15/BF. Cherry/Maple: $5–$10/BF. Exotic hardwoods: $10–$30+/BF. Prices fluctuate with market conditions.

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