TOOL 11 / FREE · NO SIGNUP
Board Foot Calculator
Convert entered rectangular lumber dimensions into board feet and geometric volume, with optional material cost.
Worked example loaded. These are example measurements and product assumptions.
THE METHOD
How to use this estimate
- Enter the dimensions you intend to use. Choosing the supplier basis does not silently change the entered measurements.
- A board foot is 144 cubic inches, not a linear foot or square foot.
- Allowance-adjusted board feet remain a continuous volume. No invented whole-board cutting layout is applied.
board feet = thickness (in) × width (in) × length (ft) × pieces ÷ 12
A worked example
The “Load worked example” button uses the same inputs as this example. Explicit unit suffixes keep their meaning in either unit system.
- Thickness
- 1 in
- Board width
- 6 in
- Board length
- 4 ft
- Identical pieces
- 10
- Ordering allowance
- 10
- Price per board foot
- 5
- Entered measurement convention
- Actual measured dimensions
- Board feet per piece (BF)
- 2
- Measured board feet (BF)
- 20
- Pieces
- 10
- Measured wood volume
- 0.047 m³ / 1.667 ft³
- Wood volume with allowance
- 0.052 m³ / 1.833 ft³
- Estimated material cost (your currency)
- 110
Questions, answered
Are nominal 2×4 dimensions converted automatically?
No. Enter nominal or actual dimensions explicitly and label your convention.
Why are board feet fractional?
Board feet measure volume. Fractions are retained rather than rounded as though they were purchasable pieces.
Sources and product assumptions
These references explain units or product specifications. Your selected product label takes priority; none of these sources endorses this calculator.
Source check: 4 October 2026. Worked examples use stated, editable assumptions.