Board Foot Calculator — Lumber Volume & Cost
Calculate board feet for lumber projects instantly. Enter dimensions to get accurate wood volume for buying and cutting.
Tool Interface
Lumber dimensions
How to use
- Enter thickness and width in inches, length in feet (or inches), and how many boards.
- Add a price per board foot if you want a cost estimate.
- Click Calculate for the total board feet — and total cost if priced.
Rate this tool
About This Tool
Price Lumber by the Board Foot
The Board Foot Calculator computes lumber volume the way hardwood dealers sell it. Enter thickness and width in inches, length in feet or inches, and the number of boards, and the tool returns the total board feet. Add an optional price per board foot to get a cost estimate too.
One board foot equals 144 cubic inches, the volume of a 12 by 12 by 1 inch piece. The formula is thickness times width times length in feet, divided by 12. Use nominal dimensions unless your supplier says otherwise. The tool is free and needs no signup.
How to Use the Board Foot Calculator
Four steps to your lumber total.
- Enter thickness and width: Type both in inches, for example 1 inch thick and 8 inches wide.
- Enter the length: Type the length in feet, or switch to inches for shorter pieces.
- Add boards and price: Enter how many boards you need, plus the price per board foot if you want a cost estimate.
- Click Calculate: See the total board feet, and the total cost when priced.
Board Foot Basics
- The formula: Board feet = thickness (in) times width (in) times length (ft) divided by 12.
- What it measures: Volume, not area. A board foot is 144 cubic inches of wood.
- Nominal versus actual: A nominal 2x4 is actually 1.5 by 3.5 inches. Confirm which dimensions your supplier prices on.
- Why it matters: Hardwood is priced per board foot, so the total drives your project budget.
Key Features
- Multiple boards: Multiply one board's volume across any quantity.
- Cost estimates: Optional price per board foot gives a project total.
- Feet and inches: Enter length in whichever unit suits the stock.
- Formula shown: Every result explains the math behind it.
- Free and instant: No signup, no cost, results immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is the Board Foot Calculator free? Yes. It is completely free with no signup.
What is a board foot? A unit of lumber volume equal to 144 cubic inches, the amount of wood in a piece 12 inches square and 1 inch thick.
Should I use nominal or actual dimensions? Use nominal dimensions unless your supplier says otherwise, since hardwood is typically priced that way.
How do I estimate project cost? Enter the price per board foot your supplier quotes. The tool multiplies it by the total board feet.
Does it handle metric? The tool works in inches and feet, the standard units for board foot pricing.
Can I calculate for one board? Yes. Enter 1 as the number of boards.
More Workshop Tools
Price work with the Markup Calculator, plan budgets with the Budget Calculator, and explore the calculators collection.