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Board Feet Calculator
Enter your lumber dimensions to calculate board feet, add a waste factor, and estimate your project cost.
1. Enter Lumber Dimensions
Board 1
= 4.00 board feet
2. Cost & Waste Settings
Your Lumber Estimate
4.0
Board Feet (net)
4.6
With 15% Waste
Estimated Cost
$36.80
Price per BF
$8.00
💡 Board Feet Formula
Board Feet = (Thickness × Width × Length) ÷ 12
Thickness & width in inches, length in feet
- • 1 board foot = a piece 1 inch thick, 12 inches wide, and 1 foot long.
- • For rough-sawn lumber, use actual measured dimensions.
- • Add 15-25% for waste depending on project complexity.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you calculate board feet?
The board feet formula is: Thickness (inches) x Width (inches) x Length (feet) divided by 12. For example, a board that is 1 inch thick, 6 inches wide, and 8 feet long equals 4 board feet (1 x 6 x 8 / 12 = 4).
How much does lumber cost per board foot?
Lumber prices vary widely by species and grade. Common domestic hardwoods like poplar run 3 to 5 dollars per board foot. Mid-range species like cherry and maple cost 6 to 10 dollars. Premium species like walnut and white oak range from 8 to 15 dollars or more per board foot.
What waste factor should I add when buying lumber?
Plan for 15 to 25 percent waste depending on the project. Simple projects with straight cuts need about 15 percent extra. Complex projects with curves, matching grain, or working around defects need 20 to 25 percent extra lumber.
Is a 2x4 actually 2 inches by 4 inches?
No. Dimensional lumber like 2x4s is sold by nominal size, not actual size. A 2x4 actually measures 1.5 inches by 3.5 inches after drying and planing. Board feet calculations for rough-sawn hardwoods use actual measurements, but for dimensional lumber you should use nominal sizes.
What is the difference between board feet and linear feet?
Linear feet measures only length regardless of width or thickness. Board feet measures volume, accounting for all three dimensions. Hardwoods are typically sold by board feet, while dimensional softwoods (2x4s, 2x6s) and trim are sold by linear feet.