Board Foot Calculator
Board feet is the standard way lumber yards price hardwood and rough-sawn stock. Enter thickness and width in inches and length in feet to get board feet and total linear footage for a run of boards.
How this is calculated
Board feet = (thickness in inches × width in inches × length in feet ÷ 12) × quantity. One board foot equals a piece 1 in thick, 12 in wide and 1 ft long (144 in³).
Nominal vs actual dimensions: a "2×6" board is a nominal size — after milling and drying, dressed softwood lumber is usually closer to 1.5 in × 5.5 in actual. Rough-sawn or hardwood stock is often closer to its nominal size. Use actual measured dimensions here for the most accurate board footage.
Frequently asked questions
Should I use nominal or actual dimensions?
Lumber is typically priced and ordered by nominal size (e.g. 2×6), but the true board footage in the wood is based on actual dimensions. For pricing rough lumber or hardwood, measure and enter the actual thickness and width.
Why divide by 12?
Board feet is a volume measure. Multiplying thickness (in) × width (in) × length (ft) gives inch-feet, and dividing by 12 converts that to the standard board-foot unit.
Does this include waste or kerf loss?
No. This gives the raw board footage of the pieces you enter. Add extra quantity yourself to cover saw kerf, defects or planing losses.
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