Board Foot Calculator — Lumber Purchases
Calculate board feet for lumber purchases. Get total board footage, cost, and waste-adjusted quantities.
Shortest dimension of the area
Longest dimension of the area
Number of items needed
Optional — leave 0 to skip cost
How We Calculate This
A board foot is the standard unit for pricing hardwood lumber. This calculator computes board footage from the thickness, width, and length of each board.
Formula
Board Feet = Thickness (in) × Width (in) × Length (ft) ÷ 12
Standard thicknesses
- 4/4 = 1 inch (finishes to ~13/16")
- 5/4 = 1.25 inches
- 6/4 = 1.5 inches
- 8/4 = 2 inches (finishes to ~1-13/16")
- 12/4 = 3 inches
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Calculators
Board Feet Calculator
Calculate board footage from timber dimensions for lumber purchasing.
Timber Volume Calculator
Work out the volume of timber in cubic metres or cubic feet.
Sheet Goods Calculator
Calculate how many plywood, MDF, or chipboard sheets you need.
Plank Calculator
Work out the number of planks needed to cover a given area.
Wood Weight Calculator
Estimate the weight of timber based on species and dimensions.
Last updated: March 2026
All calculations are estimates. Always verify measurements and material quantities before cutting or purchasing.