Board foot calculator
Thickness, width, length and number of pieces: you get the volume in board feet and cubic metres.
Board feet
95.35 bd ft
- Board feet95.35 bd ft
- Wood volume0.288 yd³
- Volume per piece0.026 yd³
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How it's calculated (visible formula)
board feet = thickness (in) × width (in) × length (ft) ÷ 12 × pieces; 1 m³ = 423.78 bd ft
- 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
- Measure thickness, width and length of each piece.
- Work out board feet per piece: T (in) × W (in) × L (ft) ÷ 12.
- Multiply by the number of identical pieces.
- Convert to cubic metres if needed (÷ 423.78).
- Add the groups for the order total.
Worked example: 10 boards of 2 × 6 in × 10 ft (nominal)
- 2 × 6 × 10 ÷ 12 = 10 bd ft per board
- × 10 = 100 bd ft
→ 100 board feet (≈ 0.236 m³).
Common mistakes
- Using actual (planed) sizes when the price is per nominal board foot.
- Confusing board feet with linear feet.
- Forgetting to multiply by piece count.
Pro tips
- Confirm whether you're billed on nominal (rough) or actual (surfaced) size.
- Hardwood thickness is quoted in quarters (4/4, 8/4).
- Order 10–15% extra for defects and cuts.
- Note moisture content — green lumber shrinks as it dries.
From calculation to quote
Add labour, overhead and your margin, and generate the professional PDF.
FAQs
- What is a board foot?
- A piece 1 ft × 1 ft × 1 in — 144 cubic inches.
- How do I calculate board feet?
- Thickness (in) × width (in) × length (ft) ÷ 12.
- Nominal or actual size?
- Hardwood is sold on rough nominal thickness; check how your yard prices it.
- How do I calculate board feet in metric?
- Cubic metres × 423.78.
- What does 4/4 mean?
- One inch rough thickness; 8/4 is two inches.
- Board foot or linear foot?
- Linear foot measures length only; board foot is volume.
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.