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Board Foot Calculator

Convert lumber dimensions into board feet instantly, the standard unit hardwood and softwood is bought and sold in.

Board feet

Enter one board's dimensions and quantity. Results update live.

Total board feet
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Enter the dimensions to see the volume.

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What is a board foot

One board foot equals 144 cubic inches of wood, which is a board 1 inch thick, 12 inches wide and 12 inches long. The formula thickness in inches times width in inches times length in feet, divided by 12, converts any board to this unit.

Nominal versus actual size

Lumber is sold by nominal size but measures smaller after drying and planing, so a 2x4 is really 1.5 by 3.5 inches. Board footage is usually figured on nominal dimensions, which is what lumberyards price from.

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Board Foot Calc FAQs

How many board feet are in a 2x4x8?
A nominal 2x4 that is 8 feet long equals 5.33 board feet: 2 x 4 x 8 / 12. Enter your exact dimensions above for any board.
How do I price lumber by the board foot?
Multiply total board feet by the price per board foot. If oak is 6 dollars per board foot and you need 20 board feet, the lumber costs 120 dollars.
Is a board foot the same as a square foot?
No. A board foot is a volume measure that includes thickness, while a square foot is area only. A 1 inch thick board has the same square footage and board footage.
Why do hardwood dealers use board feet?
Hardwood comes in random widths and lengths, so board feet is the only fair way to compare volume. Softwood dimensional lumber is usually priced per piece instead.
How do I convert board feet to cubic feet?
Divide board feet by 12. Ten board feet equals about 0.83 cubic feet of solid wood.
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