Board Foot Calculator
Board foot calculator: work out lumber volume from thickness, width and length, and total cost at your price per board foot.
Editorial review: Farrow (pseudonym; identity and professional credentials are not disclosed). This page is for educational purposes, not professional advice.
Your inputs
Results update as you type. Nothing you enter leaves your device.
Results
- Total cost
- $36.00
- Cubic feet
- 0.667
Example with the starting values
These results use the calculator's initial inputs. Change the values above to calculate your own estimate.
Inputs
- Thickness
- 2 in
- Width
- 6 in
- Length
- 8 ft
- Number of boards
- 1
- Price per board foot
- 4.5 $
Results
- Board feet
- 8
- Total cost
- $36.00
- Cubic feet
- 0.667
How does the Board Foot Calculator work?
One board foot is 144 cubic inches, a board 1 inch thick, 12 inches wide and 1 foot long. Board feet = thickness (in) × width (in) × length (ft) / 12.
A 2 × 6 that is 8 feet long is 2 × 6 × 8 / 12 = 8 board feet. Use the thickness and width you actually buy, since nominal sizes are larger than the finished board.
Frequently asked questions
How many board feet is a 2x4x8?
A 2 × 4 × 8 ft board is 2 × 4 × 8 / 12 = 5.33 board feet using nominal sizes.
Why is hardwood sold by the board foot?
Hardwood boards come in random widths and lengths, so a volume unit gives one fair price instead of pricing each board.
Should I use nominal or actual size?
Hardwood is usually priced on rough thickness, so use that. For construction lumber, mills and retailers also price using nominal sizes.
How do I convert linear feet to board feet?
Multiply linear feet by thickness and width in inches, then divide by 12. A 2×6 board that is 8 linear feet is 8 board feet.