🪵 Board Foot Calculator
Calculate board feet for lumber projects
How Board Foot Calculation Works
Formula
Board Feet = Thickness (in) × Width (in) × Length (ft) / 12
- 1Enter the board thickness in inches.
- 2Enter the board width in inches.
- 3Enter the board length in feet.
- 4Multiply all three and divide by 12 to get board feet.
- 5Add multiple boards and quantities for a total project estimate.
About Board Foot Calculator
Calculate board feet for lumber. Enter thickness, width, and length to find board footage. Supports multiple boards for total project estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a board foot?
A board foot is a unit of volume equal to a 1-inch thick board that is 12 inches wide and 12 inches long (144 cubic inches). It's the standard measure for pricing hardwood lumber.
How do nominal vs actual sizes affect board feet?
Board feet are calculated using nominal dimensions (before planing). A '2×4' is nominally 2 inches thick and 4 inches wide for board foot calculations, even though its actual dimensions are 1.5×3.5 inches.
How is lumber priced per board foot?
Hardwood is typically sold by the board foot. Prices vary by species: pine might be $2-4/BF, oak $4-8/BF, and exotic species like walnut $8-15/BF.