Free board feet calculator for lumber volume calculation. Learn how to calculate board feet using length, width, and thickness. Instantly calculate board footage, lumber cost, and price per board foot.
This calculator requires ACTUAL dimensions, not nominal sizes.
| Nominal | Actual | Enter → |
|---|---|---|
| 1×4 | 0.75" × 3.5" | ✓ 0.75, 3.5 |
| 1×6 | 0.75" × 5.5" | ✓ 0.75, 5.5 |
| 2×4 | 1.5" × 3.5" | ✓ 1.5, 3.5 |
| 2×6 | 1.5" × 5.5" | ✓ 1.5, 5.5 |
| 2×8 | 1.5" × 7.25" | ✓ 1.5, 7.25 |
Enter lumber dimensions and click "Calculate Board Feet" to see your volume and cost analysis.
A board foot is a unit of measurement for lumber volume. One board foot equals a piece of wood that is 1 foot long × 1 foot wide × 1 inch thick (12" × 12" × 1" = 144 cubic inches). This standard measurement is used throughout North America for pricing and selling hardwood lumber.
Board Feet = (Length × Width × Thickness) ÷ 144 All dimensions in inches for first formula; length in feet for second Board Feet = (Length ft × Width in × Thickness in) ÷ 12 Problem: Calculate board feet for a 2×6 that is 10 feet long
Step 1: Length = 10 feet
Step 2: Width = 5.5 inches (actual width of 2×6)
Step 3: Thickness = 1.5 inches (actual thickness)
Step 4: Board Feet = (10 × 5.5 × 1.5) ÷ 12 = 6.88 BF
Cost: At $2.50/BF → 6.88 × $2.50 = $17.20
The board feet formula is the industry-standard method for measuring lumber volume in North America. One board foot equals 144 cubic inches of wood volume.
| Nominal Size | Actual Size | Length | Board Feet |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1×6 | 0.75" × 5.5" | 8 feet | 3.44 BF |
| 2×4 | 1.5" × 3.5" | 8 feet | 3.50 BF |
| 2×6 | 1.5" × 5.5" | 10 feet | 6.88 BF |
| 2×8 | 1.5" × 7.25" | 12 feet | 10.88 BF |
| 4×4 | 3.5" × 3.5" | 8 feet | 8.17 BF |
Always use actual dimensions for accurate calculations. A nominal 2×4 actually measures 1.5" × 3.5". Use our lumber volume calculator for complex dimension conversions.
Accurate lumber measurement is critical for precise board feet calculations. Professional woodworkers use systematic measurement techniques to ensure consistency.
Project: 8 pieces of 1×8×6' hardwood lumber
Calculation: (72" × 7.25" × 0.75") ÷ 144 = 2.72 BF/piece × 8 = 21.76 BF total
With 15% waste: 21.76 × 1.15 = 25.02 BF to purchase
Use our waste calculator for detailed waste analysis.
| Fraction | Decimal | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| 1/4" | 0.25" | Thin stock, veneer |
| 1/2" | 0.50" | Plywood, cabinet backs |
| 3/4" | 0.75" | Standard hardwood |
| 1 1/4" | 1.25" | Thick stock, legs |
| 1 1/2" | 1.50" | Nominal 2" lumber |
Lumber pricing varies significantly based on species, grade, moisture content, and market conditions. Understanding pricing structures helps in accurate project budgeting.
| Grade | Typical Quality | Relative Price* | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| FAS (Firsts & Seconds) | Largest clear faces, minimal defects | 100% (baseline) | Table tops, cabinet doors, visible panels |
| Select | One clear face, sound reverse | 85–90% of FAS | Furniture components, rails, stiles |
| No.1 Common | More knots/defects, shorter clear cuttings | 60–70% of FAS | Face frames, interior parts |
| No.2 Common | Smaller clear areas, more character | 40–50% of FAS | Shop projects, utility furniture |
Note: Hypothetical example using sample pricing for illustration only.
Material: 100 BF of Red Oak, FAS grade, S2S
Base Price: 100 BF × $5.50/BF = $550.00
Grade Premium: $550 × 25% = $137.50
Surfacing: 100 BF × $0.75/BF = $75.00
Waste (15%): $762.50 × 0.15 = $114.38
Estimated Total: ~$877 (example only)
Waste management significantly impacts project costs. Professional woodworkers minimize waste through careful planning, optimized cutting patterns, and strategic material selection.
| Project Type | Waste % | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Furniture | 10–12% | Minimal cuts, standard dimensions |
| Cabinet Making | 12–15% | Multiple components, joinery |
| Complex Furniture | 15–20% | Curved parts, intricate joinery |
| Trim / Molding | 15–25% | Angle cuts, fitting requirements |
| Framing | 8–10% | Standard lengths, straightforward cuts |
Minimize environmental impact by repurposing offcuts for smaller projects, composting sawdust, and donating usable scraps to schools or maker spaces. Track waste with our wood waste calculator.
Board feet calculations integrate with other essential woodworking measurements for comprehensive project planning.
Unit of lumber volume equal to 144 cubic inches (12" × 12" × 1"). The standard measurement for pricing hardwood lumber in North America.
The rough-cut size lumber is called before drying and planing. Example: A "2×4" is nominal; actual dimensions are 1.5" × 3.5".
The real, finished dimensions of lumber after kiln drying and planing. Always use actual sizes for board feet calculations.
Firsts and Seconds — the highest grade of hardwood lumber with the largest clear face cuttings and minimal defects. Standard set by the NHLA.
National Hardwood Lumber Association — the organization that establishes hardwood lumber grading rules in North America.
Surfaced Two Sides / Surfaced Four Sides — lumber that has been planed smooth. S2S has two flat faces; S4S is also jointed on edges.
The width of material removed by a saw blade during cutting. Typically 1/8" (3mm) for standard blades.
Percentage of additional material needed to account for cutting waste, defects, and mistakes. Typically 10-25% depending on project complexity.
A board foot is a unit of measurement for lumber volume equal to 144 cubic inches (12" × 12" × 1").
Formula: Board Feet = (Length × Width × Thickness) ÷ 144, where all dimensions are in inches.
Example: An 8-foot 2×4 (actual 1.5" × 3.5") = (96" × 3.5" × 1.5") ÷ 144 = 3.5 board feet.
Length: End to end along the grain. Width: Across the face at widest point. Thickness: Board depth.
Important: Use actual dimensions, not nominal. A "2×4" measures 1.5" × 3.5" after milling.
Yes! Our calculator accepts fractions (3/4, 1 1/2), decimals (0.75, 1.5), and mixed formats. Common conversions: 1/4"=0.25", 1/2"=0.5", 3/4"=0.75", 1-1/2"=1.5".
Simple Furniture: 10-12%. Cabinets: 12-15%. Complex Furniture: 15-20%. Trim/Molding: 15-25%. Framing: 8-10%.
Always round up to ensure sufficient material.
Pricing varies by species, grade, moisture content, surfacing, and market conditions. Prices in this calculator are examples only. Always obtain current quotes from local suppliers for accurate pricing.
Yes! Click "Add Another Piece" to enter pieces with different dimensions (up to 50). The calculator shows individual and combined board feet with total cost analysis.