Board Feet Calculator
Calculate board feet — the standard unit for pricing and ordering dimensional lumber and timber. Enter thickness, width, length, and quantity to get an instant total with an optional cost estimate.
Board Feet Calculator
Calculate board feet — the standard lumber volume unit — using actual or nominal dimensions.
Formula: BF = (Thickness" × Width" × Length') ÷ 12
— What is a board foot?
Results
- BF per Piece
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- Pieces
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- Total Board Feet
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- Estimated Material Cost
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Quick Reference — Common Sizes
| Nominal | Actual (T × W) | BF / 8-ft piece |
|---|---|---|
| 1×4 | 0.75″ × 3.5″ | 1.75 BF |
| 1×6 | 0.75″ × 5.5″ | 2.75 BF |
| 2×4 | 1.5″ × 3.5″ | 3.5 BF |
| 2×6 | 1.5″ × 5.5″ | 5.5 BF |
| 2×8 | 1.5″ × 7.25″ | 7.25 BF |
| 2×10 | 1.5″ × 9.25″ | 9.25 BF |
| 2×12 | 1.5″ × 11.25″ | 11.25 BF |
| 4×4 | 3.5″ × 3.5″ | 8.17 BF |
Board feet measure volume, not face area. Always verify dimensions against your actual lumber. Contact Haselton Lumber for a current board-foot price quote.
How to Use This Calculator
Enter the actual (not nominal) thickness and width in inches, the length in feet, and the number of pieces. The calculator uses the standard board foot formula: BF = (T" × W" × L') ÷ 12.
Nominal vs. Actual Dimensions
Lumber is sold by nominal size (2×4, 2×6, etc.) but the actual milled dimensions are smaller. A nominal 2×4 measures 1½″ × 3½″ after drying and planing. Use actual dimensions for accurate board foot calculations. The quick reference table in the calculator shows common actual sizes.
When Board Feet Matter
Lumber yards quote pricing per board foot for dimensional lumber, hardwoods, timbers, and specialty products like LVL and glulam. Knowing your total board feet before ordering lets you get accurate quotes and avoid costly over- or under-ordering.
Related Materials
Laminated veneer lumber (LVL) is a high-strength engineered wood product made from thin wood veneers bonded with structural adhesive under heat and pressure. It is the most commonly specified engineered beam and header material in residential and light commercial construction.
Glulam (glued laminated timber) is a structural engineered wood product made by bonding multiple layers of dimensional lumber with waterproof adhesive. Available in architectural and industrial grades, glulam is used for beams, columns, arches, and exposed structural applications where both strength and appearance matter.
Parallel strand lumber (PSL) is a high-strength engineered wood product made from long, thin strands of wood veneer bonded with waterproof adhesive under high pressure. Known commercially as Parallam PSL (Weyerhaeuser), it is used for beams, columns, and posts where maximum load-carrying capacity is required.