Calculate lumber volume, cost, and weight for woodworking projects
| Thickness | Width | Length | Quantity | Board Feet | Actions |
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Add board dimensions to see calculation details
Stop guessing and start calculating. Our Board Foot Calculator is the most accurate and easy-to-use tool for woodworkers, contractors, and DIYers to instantly determine lumber volume, estimate project costs, and minimize material waste. Get your numbers right in seconds—so you can focus on the build.
Try our Board Foot Calculator!
Simply enter your lumber dimensions to get started.
Using our lumber calculator is straightforward. In just a few clicks, you’ll have the precise board footage and cost for your project.
Enter Dimensions: Input the Thickness, Width, and Length of your board. You can use feet, inches, or meters.
Specify Quantity: Enter how many identical pieces you have.
Add Price (Optional): Input the price per board foot from your supplier for an instant cost estimate.
Calculate: Hit the “Calculate” button.
Your results will show:
Total Board Feet: The exact volume of lumber you need.
Total Estimated Cost: The projected cost based on your price input.
Waste-Adjusted Totals: See how adding a waste percentage (e.g., 10-15%) affects your material needs and budget.
A board foot is the standard unit of measurement for lumber in North America. Unlike a square foot, which measures area, a board foot measures volume. It represents a piece of wood that is 12 inches long, 12 inches wide, and 1 inch thick (or its volumetric equivalent).
The Board Foot Formula
The formula for calculating board feet is simple:
Board Feet = (Thickness (in) × Width (in) × Length (ft)) / 12
You can also calculate it if all dimensions are in inches:
Board Feet = (Thickness (in) × Width (in) × Length (in)) / 144
Example Calculation:
You have a board that is 2 inches thick, 8 inches wide, and 10 feet long.
Board Feet = (2 × 8 × 10) / 12
Board Feet = 160 / 12 = 13.33 BF
Board Feet vs. Square Feet: A Critical Difference
This is a common point of confusion. Square feet measures a two-dimensional area (length × width). Board feet measures a three-dimensional volume, accounting for thickness. A 1-board-foot piece is 1 inch thick and covers 1 square foot, but a 2-inch-thick board that covers 1 square foot is actually 2 board feet.
Manually calculating board feet for an entire project is time-consuming and prone to error. A dedicated board footage calculator is essential because it:
Saves Time & Reduces Errors: Get instant, accurate results for complex project lists.
Improves Budgeting: Accurately estimate lumber costs before you buy, preventing budget overruns.
Minimizes Waste: By knowing exactly how much wood you need, you can order more efficiently and reduce scrap.
Creates Confidence: Whether you’re a DIYer building a table or a contractor framing a house, having precise numbers builds trust in your planning.
While our tool does the work for you, understanding the manual process is a mark of a true craftsman.
The Standard Formula:Board Feet = [Thickness (in) × Width (in) × Length (ft)] / 12
Step 1: Convert all measurements to consistent units. Ensure thickness and width are in inches, and length is in feet. If your length is in inches, divide it by 12 to convert to feet, or use the alternate formula that uses all inches.
Step 2: Multiply the three dimensions together.
Step 3: Divide the result by 12.
Worked Examples:
Example 1 (Imperial): A hardwood board measuring 1.5″ (T) × 7.25″ (W) × 8′ (L).
Calculation: (1.5 × 7.25 × 8) / 12
Result: 87 / 12 = 7.25 Board Feet
Example 2 (Metric): You have a piece of timber that is 38mm thick, 184mm wide, and 2.4 meters long.
Convert to Imperial: Thickness: 38mm ÷ 25.4 = 1.5″, Width: 184mm ÷ 25.4 = 7.25″, Length: 2.4m × 3.281 = 7.87′
Calculation: (1.5 × 7.25 × 7.87) / 12
Result: ~7.14 Board Feet
Our tool is more than a simple wood volume calculator. It’s built for professionals and serious hobbyists.
Imperial & Metric Support: Seamlessly switch between feet/inches and millimeters/meters.
Batch Entry & CSV Upload: Calculate an entire cut list at once, saving immense time on large projects.
Advanced Project Planning: Input a waste percentage (for saw kerf and mistakes) and a price per board foot to see true, project-ready totals.
Price & Weight Estimation: Get cost estimates in various currencies and even see weight approximations for common species.
Log Scaling Capabilities: Estimate the usable board feet in a log using industry-standard rules like the Doyle Log Rule.
Export, Print, and Save: Download your calculations as a PDF or CSV for your records, or to send to a client or supplier.
Mobile-Responsive Design: The tool works perfectly on your desktop, tablet, or phone at the lumber yard.
Avoid these common pitfalls to ensure you never over-buy or under-order.
Confusing Board Feet with Square Feet: Remember, thickness matters. A 2-inch thick board has twice the board footage of a 1-inch thick board covering the same area.
Forgetting to Convert Length to Feet: This is the most common math error. If your length is 24 inches, you must use 2 feet in the formula.
Ignoring Waste Allowance: A professional always adds 10-15% for saw kerf, planing, and defects. Our calculator does this automatically.
Misreading Lumber Dimensions: A “2×4” is not actually 2 inches by 4 inches. Its nominal size is 2×4, but its actual dressed size is 1.5 inches by 3.5 inches. Always use actual dimensions in your calculations.
Knowing how to calculate board feet is a fundamental skill across several fields:
Buying Lumber: Ensure you are paying a fair price when purchasing hardwood or rough-sawn lumber, which is always sold by the board foot.
Furniture Making: Precisely cost out and purchase materials for tables, chairs, and cabinets.
Construction Projects: Accurately order materials for framing, decking, and trim work.
Forestry and Log Scaling: Determine the potential value of standing timber or felled logs.
Bulk Wood Trading: Facilitate fair trade between sawmills, wholesalers, and retailers using a standardized unit of measurement.
Our board foot calculator is engineered for precision, aligning with industry standards.
Methodology: The calculation is based on the standard board foot formula recognized by organizations like the National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA) and detailed in the U.S. Forest Service’s Wood Handbook.
Log Rules: Our log scaling feature uses the Doyle Rule, one of the most common methods for estimating lumber yield in North America, with clear disclaimers on its variability.
Source Accuracy: We reference actual lumber dimensions as defined by the American Lumber Standard Committee.
Disclaimer: This board foot calculator provides estimates for informational and planning purposes only. Actual lumber yields, waste, and final pricing can vary based on material quality, supplier, and specific project conditions. Always consult with your lumber supplier for final quotes and measurements.
What is a board foot and how do you calculate it?
A board foot is a volumetric measurement of lumber equal to 144 cubic inches (12″ x 12″ x 1″). The standard calculation is: (Thickness(in) x Width(in) x Length(ft)) / 12.
How many board feet are in a 2x4x10 board?
A “2×4” has actual dimensions of approximately 1.5 inches by 3.5 inches.
Board Feet = (1.5″ x 3.5″ x 10′) / 12 = 52.5 / 12 = 5.625 board feet.
What’s the difference between board feet and square feet?
Square feet is a measure of area (Length x Width). Board feet is a measure of volume that includes thickness. A 1-board-foot piece is 1″ thick and covers 1 sq ft, but a 2″-thick board covering 1 sq ft is 2 board feet.
Can I use this calculator for logs?
Yes. Our calculator includes a log scaling feature using the Doyle Log Rule, which provides an estimate of the usable board feet that can be sawn from a log based on its diameter and length.
Does the calculator support metric units?
Absolutely. You can input your lumber dimensions in millimeters and meters, and the calculator will automatically convert them and provide the result in board feet.
How do I calculate lumber cost using board feet?
First, calculate the total board feet of your project. Then, multiply that number by the price per board foot your supplier charges. Total Cost = Total Board Feet × Price per Board Foot. Our lumber cost estimator automates this process.
Don’t let lumber calculations slow down your next project. Our Board Foot Calculator is your partner in precision, from the planning stage to the final purchase.
Bookmark this page, share it with your workshop buddies, and never overpay for lumber again.
Use the Board Foot Calculator now and save time on your woodworking projects.
