Lumber cost calculator
Lumber sizes and pieces, price per cubic metre and waste: you get the total cost and the equivalent price per board foot for comparison.
Purchase quantity
0.327 yd³
Net measurement: 0.288 yd³ · Waste 10 %
- Lumber0.327 yd³ · $111.38
- Board feet104.88 bd ft
- Equivalent price per board foot1 bd ft · $1.06
Indicative estimate: $111.38
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How it's calculated (visible formula)
volume = thickness × width × length × pieces × (1 + waste); cost = volume × price
- Net geometric measurement, no waste.
- Adjustable waste % for cuts and breakage.
- Purchase rounded up to sellable units (boxes, bags, buckets, boards).
How to calculate it, step by step
- Work out the lumber volume: thickness × width × length × pieces.
- Add waste for cuts and defects.
- Multiply by your price per cubic metre.
- Compare with per-board-foot quotes using the conversion.
- Add treatment, planing and delivery if not included.
Worked example: 10 boards of 2 × 6 in × 10 ft at $450/m³
- 0.225 m³ + 10% = 0.2475 m³
- 0.2475 × $450 = $111.40
→ $111.40 — about $1.06 per board foot.
Common mistakes
- Comparing per-m³ and per-board-foot quotes without converting.
- Forgetting the premium on long lengths.
- Leaving out pressure treatment for outdoor use.
Pro tips
- Compare like for like: structural and appearance grades price differently.
- Long lengths carry a premium — optimize your cut list.
- Combine orders to get full-bundle pricing.
- Show milling time as its own line on quotes.
From calculation to quote
Add labour, overhead and your margin, and generate the professional PDF.
FAQs
- How much does lumber cost per board foot?
- It varies by species and grade — enter your yard's price and compare.
- How do I compare quotes?
- The calculator converts to an equivalent price per board foot.
- How much waste?
- About 10% for cuts and defects.
- Why do lumber prices vary so much?
- Species, grade, moisture, treatment and length.
- Is pressure treatment included?
- Usually not — ask about treatment and use category.
- How do I compare per-m³ and per-board-foot prices?
- 1 m³ = 423.78 board feet; the calculator shows the equivalent.
Sources and standards
Maintained by Srikanta M · Formula v1.0.0 · Verified 2026-09-10 · Updated 2026-09-10 · Limits: quantity estimation, not structural design or site supervision.