Board Foot Calculator
Board feet and lumber costRuns in your browser
Use the nominal thickness for rough lumber (4/4 = 1 in, 8/4 = 2 in). Hardwood dealers price by the board foot.
Rough material cost
$240Hardwood prices vary widely by species and grade; enter your dealer's price per board foot.
Material estimates only. Round up, buy a little extra, and check with your supplier. Structural work (footings, framing, roofs) must follow local building codes; consult a licensed contractor where required.
How it works
Formulas
Board feet = thickness (in) × width (in) × length (ft) ÷ 12Worked example
Input: Ten 1 × 6 in boards, 8 ft long.
- 1 × 6 × 8 ÷ 12 = 4 board feet each.
- 4 × 10 = 40 board feet.
Result: 40 board feet (3.33 cubic feet).
How to use
- 1Enter the thickness and width in inches (nominal for rough hardwood).
- 2Enter the length in feet and the number of boards.
- 3Enter the price per board foot to get the cost.
FAQ
What is a board foot?
A volume of 144 cubic inches: a board 1 in thick, 12 in wide and 1 ft long. A 2 × 4 that is 8 ft long is 2 × 4 × 8 ÷ 12 = 5.33 board feet (nominal).
Do I use nominal or actual size?
Hardwood dealers measure rough lumber, so use its nominal thickness (4/4 = 1 in, 8/4 = 2 in). Softwood framing lumber is usually sold per piece or per linear foot instead.
How many board feet in a cubic foot?
12. A cubic foot is 1,728 cubic inches, and 1,728 ÷ 144 = 12.