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Use this tool to easily estimate how much lumber you need for your project.
If you're not familiar with board feet or how to measure them, read our detailed explanations below. Otherwise, simply enter your wood dimensions into the calculator to get an instant estimate!
Pro Tip: Board footage is only an estimate. It's always wise to purchase a bit more than you need to account for cutting, edging, grain matching, potential mistakes, test cuts, and finishing samples.
Ready to order? Contact us.
*This tool is for estimating the amount of lumber you would like to order. All Hardwood comes in random width and cannot be guaranteed to be the exact specifications entered into the board foot calculator
**Prices are based on the value you enter and do not reflect the current pricing of products.
What is a Board Foot?
A board foot is a standard unit for measuring lumber volume. Picture a piece of wood 12 inches long, 12 inches wide, and 1 inch thick – that's one board foot. We use board feet to estimate lumber quantities and calculate costs.
How is a Board Foot Calculated?
The formula is simple:
Board feet = (Thickness in inches x Width in inches x Length in inches) / 12
Here are a few examples:
4/4 Lumber
14-foot long pine board, 10 inches wide, and 1 inch thick (also called 4/4 lumber):
- 14 feet long x 12 inches/foot = 168 inches long
- 168 inches long x 10 inches wide = 1680 square inches
- 1680 square inches / 144 square inches/square foot = 11.67 square feet
- 11.67 square feet x 1 inch thick = 11.67 board feet
8/4 Lumber
2-inch thick (8/4 lumber) red oak board, 8 inches wide, and 10 feet long:
- 10 feet long x 12 inches/foot = 120 inches long
- 8 inches wide x 120 inches long = 960 square inches
- 960 square inches / 144 square inches/square foot = 6.67 square feet
- 6.67 square feet x 2 inches thick = 13.34 board feet
How Does Board Foot Pricing Work?
Lumber is typically priced per board foot, meaning the total cost depends on the wood's volume, not just its dimensions. A thicker board will cost more than a thinner one, even if they have the same width and length.
To calculate pricing in board feet:
- Calculate board feet using the formula above.
- Check the price per board foot of the type and quality of wood.
- Multiply the board feet by the price per board foot to estimate the total cost.
Pro Tip: Prices per board foot fluctuate with the market conditions. Always check current prices before ordering.
What is the Difference Between Board Foot and Linear Foot?
Board foot measures the volume of wood, while linear foot measures length only – it’s simply a straight-line measurement of 12 inches, regardless of the width or thickness of the material. Two boards can have the same linear footage but vastly different board footage if their thicknesses or widths vary.
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