Length in feet
T (in) × W (in) × L (ft) ÷ 12A 1 inch thick, 6 inch wide, 8 foot board: 1 × 6 × 8 ÷ 12 = 4 board feet.
Lumber volume, cut list and cost
Board Foot Calculator
This board foot calculator works out the board feet, cubic volume and cost of a whole lumber cut list at once. Add every board with its quantity and price, include a waste allowance, and get totals in imperial or metric units.
Lumber board feet calculator
Formula
How to Calculate Board Feet
A board foot is a volume of wood 12 inches long, 12 inches wide and 1 inch thick, which equals 144 cubic inches. Hardwood is almost always sold by the board foot.
Length in inches
T (in) × W (in) × L (in) ÷ 144A 2 × 8 inch piece 30 inches long: 2 × 8 × 30 ÷ 144 = 3.33 board feet.
Metric conversion
m³ ÷ 0.00236 = board feetOne board foot is 0.00236 cubic metres, so 1 m³ of timber is about 424 board feet.
Converting price: price per linear foot = price per board foot × thickness × width ÷ 12. A $6/BF board that is 1 × 6 inches costs $3 per linear foot. For flat coverage areas, use the square footage calculator.
Reference
Board Feet Chart for Common Lumber Sizes
Board feet per piece for standard dimensional lumber, calculated from nominal sizes as lumberyards do. Find a size and length to get the answer instantly.
| Nominal size | 8 ft | 10 ft | 12 ft | 14 ft | 16 ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1x4 | 2.67 | 3.33 | 4 | 4.67 | 5.33 |
| 1x6 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| 1x8 | 5.33 | 6.67 | 8 | 9.33 | 10.67 |
| 1x10 | 6.67 | 8.33 | 10 | 11.67 | 13.33 |
| 1x12 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 |
| 2x4 | 5.33 | 6.67 | 8 | 9.33 | 10.67 |
| 2x6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 |
| 2x8 | 10.67 | 13.33 | 16 | 18.67 | 21.33 |
| 2x10 | 13.33 | 16.67 | 20 | 23.33 | 26.67 |
| 2x12 | 16 | 20 | 24 | 28 | 32 |
| 4x4 | 10.67 | 13.33 | 16 | 18.67 | 21.33 |
| 4x6 | 16 | 20 | 24 | 28 | 32 |
| 6x6 | 24 | 30 | 36 | 42 | 48 |
Hardwood sizes
Quarter Sizes, Nominal and Actual Thickness
Hardwood thickness is sold in quarters of an inch. Board feet are based on the rough thickness, even though the board is thinner once it is surfaced.
| Quarter | Rough thickness | Surfaced (S2S) |
|---|---|---|
| 4/4 | 1 in | 13/16 in |
| 5/4 | 1 1/4 in | 1 1/16 in |
| 6/4 | 1 1/2 in | 1 5/16 in |
| 8/4 | 2 in | 1 3/4 in |
| 12/4 | 3 in | 2 3/4 in |
| 16/4 | 4 in | 3 3/4 in |
| Nominal | Actual (dry, surfaced) |
|---|---|
| 1x4 | 3/4 × 3 1/2 in |
| 1x6 | 3/4 × 5 1/2 in |
| 2x4 | 1 1/2 × 3 1/2 in |
| 2x6 | 1 1/2 × 5 1/2 in |
| 2x8 | 1 1/2 × 7 1/4 in |
| 2x10 | 1 1/2 × 9 1/4 in |
| 2x12 | 1 1/2 × 11 1/4 in |
| 4x4 | 3 1/2 × 3 1/2 in |
Why ours
Why This Board Foot Calculator Is Better
Most board foot calculators handle one board at a time. Real projects need a full cut list.
Whole cut lists
Add up to 30 lines, each with its own quantity, size and price, and see totals for the entire project.
Cost per line
Enter different prices for different species and see the cost of every line and the full order with waste included.
Waste allowance
Add a waste percentage for knots, checks and saw kerf so you order enough timber the first time.
Imperial or metric
Switch between inches and millimetres and every line converts. Results show board feet and cubic metres together.
Visual breakdown
A colour-coded bar shows which lines use the most wood, so you can spot where to save on material.
Copy or share the list
Copy a clean cut list for your lumberyard, or share a link that reopens every line on any device.
Guide
How to Use the Board Foot Calculator
Have your plans or cut list ready. Totals update as you type.
- Pick your units
Choose inches or millimetres, and whether you measure length in feet or inches.
- Enter each board
Add the quantity, thickness, width and length for every line. Use rough thickness for hardwood, such as 1 inch for 4/4.
- Add prices
Type the price per board foot for each line, or per cubic metre in metric mode. Leave it blank if you only need volume.
- Set a waste allowance
10% works for simple projects. Use 20% to 30% for furniture or lumber with many defects.
- Order with confidence
Copy the cut list for your lumberyard, or share the link with a client or helper.
Benefits
Benefits of Calculating Board Feet
Knowing your board feet before you buy saves money, time and extra trips to the yard.
Compare lumber prices fairly
Different suppliers quote per board foot, per linear foot or per piece. Converting to board feet lets you compare like with like.
Accurate project quotes
Woodworkers and contractors can price materials precisely and add them to quotes alongside items from the drywall calculator or paint calculator.
Buy the right amount
A realistic waste allowance prevents both costly over-buying and mid-project shortages that leave you with mismatched boards.
Plan transport and storage
Cubic volume and linear footage tell you whether the order fits in your vehicle and your shop.
FAQ
Board Foot FAQ
What is a board foot?
A board foot is a unit of wood volume equal to a board 12 inches long, 12 inches wide and 1 inch thick. That is 144 cubic inches, or one twelfth of a cubic foot. Hardwood lumber is usually priced per board foot.
How do you calculate board feet?
Multiply thickness in inches by width in inches by length in feet, then divide by 12. If the length is in inches, divide by 144 instead. Multiply by the number of pieces to get the total for a line.
How many board feet are in a 2x4x8?
A 2x4 that is 8 feet long contains 2 × 4 × 8 ÷ 12 = 5.33 board feet, using nominal dimensions as lumberyards do. A 2x6x8 has 8 board feet and a 2x4x10 has 6.67 board feet.
Should I use nominal or actual sizes?
Lumberyards calculate board feet from nominal sizes for softwood and from rough thickness for hardwood. So a surfaced 4/4 board that measures 13/16 inch is still counted as 1 inch thick. Use actual sizes only if you want the exact volume of finished wood.
What does 4/4 mean in lumber?
Hardwood thickness is measured in quarters of an inch. 4/4, said four quarter, is 1 inch rough, 5/4 is 1 1/4 inches, 6/4 is 1 1/2 inches and 8/4 is 2 inches. Boards lose some thickness when they are planed smooth.
How do I convert board feet to cubic feet or cubic metres?
Divide board feet by 12 to get cubic feet. Multiply board feet by 0.00236 to get cubic metres, so one cubic metre of timber is about 424 board feet.
How much extra lumber should I buy for waste?
Add about 10% for simple projects with straight cuts. For furniture, hardwood with knots or defects, or projects that need matched grain, add 20% to 30%.
What is the difference between a board foot and a linear foot?
A linear foot measures length only, no matter how wide or thick the board is. A board foot measures volume. A 1 × 12 inch board has 1 board foot per linear foot, while a 1 × 6 inch board has half a board foot per linear foot.
How do I convert price per board foot to price per linear foot?
Multiply the price per board foot by thickness and width in inches, then divide by 12. A board 1 inch thick and 6 inches wide at $6 per board foot costs $3 per linear foot.
Price Your Next Lumber Order in Minutes
Use the board foot calculator to plan every project, then size the rest of the job with our building and home improvement calculators.
Calculate board feetResults are estimates. Lumberyards may round each board or measure differently, so confirm the final count with your supplier.