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Board Foot Calculator

Hardwood and many specialty lumber species are priced by the board foot, a unit of volume equal to a piece 1 in thick, 12 in wide and 12 in long. Enter your board dimensions and quantity to get total board feet and an estimated cost.

Enter your measurements

Measurements
in

Hardwood is sold by nominal rough thickness: 4/4 = 1 in, 8/4 = 2 in.

in
ft
boards

Enter your measurements and press Calculate to see quantities, a material breakdown and an optional cost estimate.

How the calculation works

  • Board feet = Thickness (in) × Width (in) × Length (ft) ÷ 12
  • Total = Board feet per board × Number of boards

One board foot equals 144 cubic inches. If all dimensions are in inches, divide by 144 instead of 12.

Assumptions used

  • Dimensions are treated exactly as entered; use nominal or actual sizes to match how your supplier prices.

Example calculation

Ten boards of 4/4 (1 in) walnut, 6 in wide and 8 ft long.

  1. 1Per board: 1 × 6 × 8 ÷ 12 = 4 BF
  2. 2Ten boards: 4 × 10 = 40 BF
  3. 3At $12 per BF: 40 × 12 = $480

Result: 40 board feet, about $480 at $12 per board foot.

How to measure your project

  • Hardwood thickness is usually given in quarters: 4/4 = 1 in, 5/4 = 1.25 in, 8/4 = 2 in.
  • Measure rough boards at their narrowest consistent width; some yards measure random-width boards to the nearest inch.
  • Softwood dimensional lumber (2×4, 2×6) is usually sold by the piece or linear foot rather than board foot.

Frequently asked questions

Do you use nominal or actual dimensions for board feet?

Rough hardwood is usually measured using its nominal (rough-sawn) thickness, such as 4/4 = 1 in. Surfaced lumber may be priced on nominal dimensions too. Ask your supplier how they measure.

How many board feet are in a 2×4×8?

Using nominal dimensions: 2 × 4 × 8 ÷ 12 = 5.33 board feet.

Related guides

  • Illustration of stacked lumber boards and a 1 by 12 by 12 inch board foot
    Lumber

    What Is a Board Foot in Lumber?

    A clear explanation of the board foot, how to calculate board feet for hardwood and lumber, nominal vs actual sizes, and how to estimate project cost.

    2 min read

Results are estimates based on the measurements and assumptions you enter. Always confirm product specifications, local building codes and final quantities with your supplier or a qualified professional. See our disclaimer.