Board Foot Calculator

Multiply thickness in inches by width in inches by length in feet and divide by 12 to get board feet per piece, then multiply by the piece count and your price per board foot for the total cost of the order. Calculate it clearly with Figur.

How the board foot calculator works

Multiply thickness in inches by width in inches by length in feet and divide by 12 to get board feet per piece, then multiply by the piece count and your price per board foot for the total cost of the order.

Method and assumptions

Board feet per piece = thickness in inches × width in inches × length in feet ÷ 12. Total volume multiplies by pieces, rounded to the nearest integer with a minimum of 1; cost multiplies total board feet by the entered price per board foot.

  • Use the dimensions your supplier bills by; nominal dimensions are not automatically converted to actual dimensions.
  • Board feet and cost display two decimals; volume is not rounded up to packages and no waste is added.
  • Cuts, grading, moisture, tax, delivery and labor are excluded.

This tool provides a planning takeoff, not a binding bid, structural design, or engineering advice. Confirm quantities with field measurements, your supplier, and the applicable professionals before buying.

Sources and references

No external source is required: volume and cost use your dimensions, piece count and price.

Worked example

20 pieces of 2 × 6 lumber, each 8 ft long, at $3.50 per board foot.

That is 160 board feet, costing $560.00 in total.

Frequently asked questions

What exactly is a board foot?

A board foot is a lumber volume unit equal to a piece 1 inch thick, 12 inches wide, and 1 foot long — 144 cubic inches. It is the standard way hardwood and rough lumber are priced.

Should I use nominal or actual dimensions?

Rough lumber is usually tallied at nominal dimensions, while surfaced boards measure smaller. Enter whichever dimensions your supplier bills by so the cost matches the invoice.

Related calculators