How do I calculate Board Feet?

To calculate board feet, multiply the Thickness (in inches) by the Width (in inches) by the Length (in feet), and then divide that number by 12. Alternatively, if your length is in inches, multiply all three and divide by 144.

What is the difference between Linear Feet and Board Feet?

Linear feet only measures the length of the wood, completely ignoring its thickness and width. Board feet measures the total 3D volume of the wood. Softwoods (like 2x4s) are usually sold by the linear foot, while hardwoods (like oak or walnut) are sold by the board foot.

🪵 Board Foot Calculator

Calculate the total board feet of your lumber and estimate the total material cost.

Quantity

Thickness

Width

Length

Price Per Board Foot (Optional)

Total Board Feet (BF)

Total volume for all pieces

Board Feet Per Piece

Total Estimated Cost

$0.00

What is a Board Foot?

A "Board Foot" (often abbreviated as BF or bd ft) is a unit of volume measurement used for lumber in North America. It represents a piece of wood that is 1 foot long, 1 foot wide, and 1 inch thick (144 cubic inches of wood).

Rough-sawn hardwoods (like Oak, Walnut, Maple) are generally sold by the board foot, unlike softwoods (like 2x4 pine studs) which are sold by the linear foot.

The Board Foot Formula

If your length is in feet, the formula is:
(Thickness (in) × Width (in) × Length (ft)) ÷ 12

If your length is in inches, the formula is:
(Thickness (in) × Width (in) × Length (in)) ÷ 144

For example, a 2-inch thick, 6-inch wide, and 8-foot long board:
(2 × 6 × 8) ÷ 12 = 8 Board Feet.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do "4/4" and "8/4" mean? +

Lumber thickness is often expressed in quarters of an inch. "4/4" means 4 quarters (1 inch thick). "8/4" means 8 quarters (2 inches thick). If you are buying 5/4 lumber, you would enter 1.25 inches for the thickness in the calculator.

How much waste should I account for? +

When buying rough lumber to mill yourself, standard woodworking practice dictates buying 20% to 30% more board feet than your project requires to account for knots, cracks, and milling waste.

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