Board Foot Calculator
Board Foot Calculator: Measure Lumber Like a Pro
If you work in woodworking, carpentry, construction, or even DIY home improvement, understanding how to measure wood accurately is essential. One term you’ll often come across is the board foot — a specialized unit used for measuring lumber. To simplify this calculation, many professionals and hobbyists turn to a board foot calculator.
In this guide, we’ll explain what a board foot is, why it matters, how to calculate it manually, and how a board foot calculator can save you time and money.
What Is a Board Foot?
A board foot is a unit of volume used to measure lumber in the United States and Canada. It represents a volume of:
12 inches (length) × 12 inches (width) × 1 inch (thickness)
That equals 144 cubic inches of wood.
Why Use Board Feet?
Board feet are primarily used by lumber yards and woodworkers to:
Price wood
Estimate project costs
Determine how much material is needed
Compare sizes of different boards easily
Using board feet ensures consistent pricing and measurement across varying sizes of lumber.
How to Calculate Board Feet Manually
The board foot formula is:
Example:
If you have a board that is:
2 inches thick
6 inches wide
10 feet long
Then:
That board contains 10 board feet of lumber.
Why Use a Board Foot Calculator?
While manual calculations are simple for small jobs, they can become tedious when dealing with multiple boards, different dimensions, and large orders.
A board foot calculator helps by:
Saving time
Reducing human error
Handling multiple entries
Allowing for quick cost estimates
Increasing job site efficiency
Features of a Good Board Foot Calculator
When choosing a board foot calculator — whether online or as an app — look for features like:
1. Multi-board Input
Calculate total board feet for different types and dimensions of wood in one go.
2. Unit Flexibility
Enter measurements in inches, feet, or millimeters depending on your region or material.
3. Real-time Results
Instant calculations as you type, with automatic updates for board feet totals.
4. Cost Estimator
Some calculators let you enter price per board foot to estimate total material costs.
5. Mobile Friendly
A responsive, mobile-compatible design ensures you can use it on job sites or in workshops.
Try Our Free Online Board Foot Calculator
Looking to skip the math? Use our free online board foot calculator — designed for woodworkers, contractors, and DIYers.
Just enter your board’s thickness, width, and length, and get instant results. Calculate for multiple boards, estimate costs, and save time.
Common Board Sizes and Their Board Footage
Here are a few examples of commonly used boards and their approximate board feet:
| Thickness (in) | Width (in) | Length (ft) | Board Feet |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | 8 | 4 |
| 2 | 4 | 10 | 6.67 |
| 2 | 8 | 12 | 16 |
| 1.5 | 5.5 | 6 | 4.13 |
Keep in mind that actual dimensions of lumber can differ from nominal sizes, especially for planed or milled wood. Always measure actual thickness and width for accurate calculations.
Board Foot vs Linear Foot: What’s the Difference?
Many people confuse board feet with linear feet, but they’re not the same.
Linear foot: Measures only the length of a board.
Board foot: Measures volume (length × width × thickness).
If you’re buying decorative trim, you might use linear feet. If you’re buying hardwood planks, you’ll likely use board feet.
How Board Foot Pricing Works
Lumber yards often price wood per board foot. That means the total cost is:
Example:
If walnut is priced at $8.00 per board foot, and you need 20 board feet, you’ll pay:
Using a calculator can help avoid surprises and keep your project within budget.
Who Needs a Board Foot Calculator?
A board foot calculator is essential for:
Woodworkers building furniture, cabinetry, or fine crafts
Contractors estimating lumber needs for framing and flooring
DIYers doing home improvement projects
Lumber sellers creating quotes and invoices
Architects and designers planning wood-intensive builds
Metric Conversion: Board Feet to Cubic Meters
In metric countries, lumber is typically sold by cubic meter. To convert board feet to cubic meters:
Multiply your total board feet by 0.00236 to get volume in cubic meters.
Pro Tips for Accurate Board Foot Measurement
Always measure actual thickness and width. Don’t rely on nominal sizes.
Round up to the nearest quarter board foot. This accounts for saw cuts and waste.
Plan ahead. Use the calculator during project planning to avoid under- or over-ordering.
Include extra for waste. Add 10-15% extra for cutting mistakes or defects in the wood.
Final Thoughts
A board foot calculator is more than a convenience — it’s a powerful tool that helps you work smarter, not harder. Whether you’re estimating a job, comparing material prices, or planning a project, using a calculator ensures you’re getting the right amount of wood at the right cost.
By saving time, reducing errors, and increasing accuracy, board foot calculators have become an essential part of the modern woodworker’s toolkit.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Can I calculate board feet for multiple boards?
Yes! A good board foot calculator lets you enter multiple sets of dimensions and gives you a total.
Q2: Do I need a calculator if I already know the formula?
While you can calculate board feet manually, a calculator is faster, more accurate, and less prone to error — especially with large orders.
Q3: Is board foot measurement used worldwide?
Not exactly. It’s mainly used in the U.S. and Canada. Metric countries use cubic meters or cubic centimeters for volume-based lumber sales.
Ready to Simplify Your Woodworking Projects?
Use our free, fast, and accurate Board Foot Calculator and stop second-guessing your lumber needs.
Measure. Estimate. Build with confidence. 