Board Foot Calculator

Calculate the exact board footage needed for your woodworking or construction projects with precision. Input lumber dimensions in imperial or metric units to determine volume requirements and estimate material costs based on wood species, grade, and regional pricing. Perfect for accurate lumber ordering and budget planning. Explore more tools on free calculators on CalculatorBolt.

Lumber Dimensions

in
in
ft

Project Details

$
15%

Result

Total Estimate

0 BF
$0.00
Includes waste factor and pricing adjustments
Visual representation (not to scale)
Qty Dim Species BF Cost
Add items to see breakdown

How It Works

Our calculator uses the standard board foot formula: (Thickness in inches × Width in inches × Length in feet) ÷ 12. For metric measurements, we convert dimensions to equivalent imperial values before calculation. The tool accounts for waste factors, different wood species pricing, and regional adjustments to provide accurate project estimates.

Inputs Explained

  • Thickness: The nominal thickness of the lumber in inches (typically 1", 2", etc.)
  • Width: The actual width measurement in inches (not nominal lumber sizes)
  • Length: The length of each piece in feet
  • Quantity: Number of identical pieces needed for your project
  • Wood Species: Different woods have varying prices per board foot
  • Waste Factor: Additional percentage to account for cutting errors and unusable portions

Example

A woodworking project requiring 10 pieces of hardwood:

  • Dimensions: 1" thick × 8" wide × 6' long
  • Wood species: Oak at $5.50 per board foot
  • Waste factor: 15%

Calculation:

  • Board feet per piece = (1 × 8 × 6) ÷ 12 = 4 BF
  • Total board feet = 4 BF × 10 pieces × 1.15 waste factor = 46 BF
  • Total cost = 46 BF × $5.50 = $253.00

Tips & Notes

  • Remember that nominal lumber dimensions (like "2×4") differ from actual dimensions (1.5"×3.5")
  • Always add 10-20% extra for waste, especially for complex projects or figured wood
  • Different wood species vary dramatically in price - pine might cost $2/BF while walnut could be $15/BF
  • Buying rough-sawn lumber and milling it yourself can save money but requires additional equipment and skill
  • Consider purchasing slightly longer pieces than needed to account for end checking and trimming

FAQs

A board foot is a unit of measurement for lumber volume equal to a piece 1 inch thick, 12 inches wide, and 12 inches long (144 cubic inches). It's the standard unit used by sawmills and lumberyards in North America.

For irregular pieces, measure the average dimensions or break the piece into regular sections. For live-edge slabs, measure thickness at multiple points and use the average. Width should be measured at the midpoint for tapered pieces.

Wood species differ in growth rates, availability, workability, and aesthetic qualities. Hardwoods like oak and maple grow slower than softwoods like pine, making them more expensive. Exotic species command premium prices due to limited supply and import costs.

Nominal dimensions are the rough-sawn sizes before drying and planing. Actual dimensions are smaller - for example, a nominal 2×4 is actually 1.5"×3.5" after processing. Always use actual dimensions for board foot calculations.

Calculate based on when you're purchasing the wood. Green (undried) lumber is typically sold by scale (board foot measurement), while dried lumber might be priced by piece or linear foot. Drying reduces volume slightly due to shrinkage.

Simple projects with straight cuts: 10-15% waste factor. Complex projects with curves or joinery: 20-30% waste factor. Very intricate work or figured wood with defects: 30-40% waste factor. Always round up rather than down when ordering lumber.

Yes, our calculator accepts metric inputs and automatically converts them to the appropriate board foot calculation. Enter thickness and width in centimeters and length in meters for accurate results.

Disclaimer

Board foot calculations are estimates based on standard formulas and may vary slightly from actual lumber yard measurements. Wood prices fluctuate based on market conditions, regional availability, and supplier pricing. CalculatorBolt is not responsible for purchasing decisions or project cost overruns based on these calculations. We recommend consulting with your local lumber supplier for exact pricing and availability.

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Author: CalculatorBolt Editorial Team
Reviewed by: Woodworking Expert
Published: • Updated: