About Board Foot Calculator
Board Foot Calculator converts lumber dimensions and quantity into board feet and can estimate total material cost from an entered price per board foot.
Imperial dimensions use the standard board-foot relationship; metric dimensions are converted through cubic volume.
How the calculation works
Imperial board feet
Board feet = thickness in inches × width in inches × length in feet ÷ 12 × quantity.
Metric conversion
Metric dimensions are converted to cubic metres and then converted using one board foot = 0.002359737216 cubic metres.
Estimated cost
Total cost = total board feet × entered price per board foot.
How to use this calculator
- 1Choose imperial or metric dimensions.
- 2Enter lumber thickness, width and length.
- 3Enter the number of pieces.
- 4Optionally enter a price per board foot.
- 5Review board feet per piece, total board feet and estimated cost.
Understanding the result
Board foot is a volume measure commonly used for lumber.
A nominal board size may differ from its actual dressed dimensions, so use the dimensions appropriate to the pricing method being used.
Important limitations
- Confirm whether a lumber supplier prices from nominal or actual dimensions.
- Waste, defects, kerf, moisture, surfacing and supplier minimum quantities are not automatically included.
- Results are planning estimates, not engineering, supplier, hauling, compaction, or safety advice.
- Confirm measured dimensions, material density, waste, load capacity, local units, and supplier minimums before ordering.
Frequently asked questions
What is one board foot?
One board foot is a lumber volume equal to 144 cubic inches.
What is the board foot formula?
For thickness and width in inches and length in feet: thickness × width × length ÷ 12.
Can I use metric dimensions?
Yes. The calculator converts metric lumber volume to board feet.
Does it calculate lumber cost?
Yes. Enter an optional price per board foot to estimate total cost.