Board Foot Calculator
Work out board feet for any piece of lumber. A 2 x 6 x 8 ft board is 8 board feet, and ten of them cost $360.00 at the default price.
The board foot formula
A board foot is a piece of wood 1 inch thick, 12 inches wide and 12 inches long (144 cubic inches). The formula is: thickness (in) x width (in) x length (ft) / 12.
For a 2 x 6 that is 8 ft long: 2 x 6 x 8 / 12 = 8 board feet. With 10 pieces you have 80 board feet, or 6.667 cubic feet.
Nominal vs actual size
Hardwood is usually sold by the board foot using rough, nominal thickness (4/4 means 1 inch). Construction lumber like a 2×4 is sold per piece or per linear foot, but sawmills and woodworkers still price specialty boards by board foot. Use the size you are billed on.
Tips when buying
- Add 15 to 20% extra for knots, defects and cut waste.
- For thickness under 1 inch, most dealers still charge as 1 inch.
- Compare prices per board foot, not per board, to find the cheapest supplier.
Free pricing tips for your business
Get short, practical tips on pricing jobs and using our free calculators. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
Frequently asked questions
How do you calculate board feet?
Multiply thickness in inches by width in inches by length in feet, then divide by 12.
How many board feet are in a 2x4x8?
2 x 4 x 8 / 12 = 5.33 board feet using nominal sizes.
How many board feet in a cubic foot?
There are 12 board feet in one cubic foot.
How much does a board foot of lumber cost?
Common hardwoods like oak and maple often run $4 to $10 per board foot. Exotic woods cost much more.
Need a custom calculator or spreadsheet built for your business?
Talk to usMore free tools: All free calculators · Cubic yard calculator · Deck board calculator · Margin calculator