📏 Board Foot Calculator
Calculate board feet for lumber measurement
How to Use This Calculator
Enter Length
Input the length of the board in feet. For example, enter "8" for an 8-foot board.
Enter Width
Input the width of the board in feet. For example, enter "1" for a 1-foot wide board, or "0.5" for 6 inches.
Enter Thickness
Input the thickness of the board in inches. For example, enter "1" for a 1-inch thick board, or "0.75" for 3/4 inch.
Enter Number of Boards (Optional)
Input the number of boards if calculating multiple boards. Default is 1 board. Click "Calculate Board Feet" to see the total board feet and volume.
Formula
Board Feet = (Length × Width × Thickness) / 12
Where: Length and Width are in feet, Thickness is in inches
Example 1: Single 2×4×8 Board
Step 1: Length = 8 feet, Width = 0.333 feet (4 inches), Thickness = 2 inches
Step 2: Board Feet = (8 × 0.333 × 2) / 12 = 0.444 board feet
Example 2: Ten 1×6×10 Boards
Step 1: Length = 10 feet, Width = 0.5 feet (6 inches), Thickness = 1 inch
Step 2: Board Feet per Board = (10 × 0.5 × 1) / 12 = 0.417 board feet
Step 3: Total Board Feet = 0.417 × 10 = 4.17 board feet
About Board Foot Calculator
The Board Foot Calculator is an essential tool for carpenters, woodworkers, lumberyard workers, and construction professionals who need to calculate board feet for lumber. This calculator eliminates guesswork by providing precise board foot calculations based on length, width, and thickness, helping you estimate lumber quantities and costs accurately.
When to Use This Calculator
- Lumber Purchasing: Calculate board feet needed when buying lumber from a lumberyard
- Material Estimation: Estimate lumber quantities for construction projects
- Cost Calculation: Calculate lumber costs based on price per board foot
- Inventory Management: Track lumber inventory in board feet
- Project Planning: Plan lumber requirements for woodworking projects
Why Use Our Calculator?
- ✅ Accurate Calculations: Precise board foot calculations using standard formula
- ✅ Multiple Boards: Calculate board feet for single or multiple boards
- ✅ Volume Conversions: Converts to cubic feet, cubic meters, and cubic inches
- ✅ Time Savings: Instant calculations eliminate manual math and measurements
- ✅ Easy to Use: Simple input fields for length, width, and thickness
Understanding Board Feet
Board Foot Definition: A board foot is a unit of volume measurement for lumber equal to 1 foot × 1 foot × 1 inch (or 144 cubic inches). One board foot equals 1/12 cubic foot. Board feet are commonly used in North America for pricing and selling lumber.
Standard Lumber Sizes: Lumber is typically sold in nominal sizes (e.g., 2×4, 1×6) which are larger than actual sizes. For example, a nominal 2×4 is actually 1.5 inches × 3.5 inches. Always use actual dimensions when calculating board feet.
Tips for Best Results
- Use Actual Dimensions: Always use actual lumber dimensions, not nominal sizes
- Consistent Units: Length and width in feet, thickness in inches
- Account for Waste: Add 10-15% extra board feet for waste and cuts
- Check Lumber Grades: Different grades of lumber may have different pricing per board foot
- Verify Calculations: Double-check calculations for expensive lumber purchases
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a board foot?
A board foot is a unit of volume measurement for lumber equal to 1 foot × 1 foot × 1 inch (144 cubic inches). One board foot equals 1/12 cubic foot. It's commonly used in North America for pricing and selling lumber.
How do I calculate board feet?
Board feet = (Length × Width × Thickness) / 12, where length and width are in feet, and thickness is in inches. For example, a 2×4×8 board = (8 × 0.333 × 2) / 12 = 0.444 board feet.
What's the difference between nominal and actual lumber sizes?
Nominal sizes (like 2×4) are the names given to lumber, while actual sizes are the real dimensions. A nominal 2×4 is actually 1.5 inches × 3.5 inches. Always use actual dimensions when calculating board feet.
How many board feet in a 2×4×8?
A 2×4×8 board (using actual dimensions of 1.5" × 3.5" × 96") = (8 × 0.333 × 2) / 12 = 0.444 board feet. The calculator shows exact board feet based on your dimensions.
Can I calculate board feet for multiple boards?
Yes! Enter the number of boards in the "Number of Boards" field. The calculator will multiply the board feet per board by the number of boards to get the total board feet.
How do I convert board feet to cubic feet or cubic meters?
1 board foot = 1/12 cubic foot = 0.00236 cubic meters. The calculator automatically shows conversions to cubic feet, cubic meters, and cubic inches for your convenience.