Board Foot Calculator
Calculate board feet from thickness, width and length for hardwood pricing. Add multiple boards for a full cut list with total cost.
Price Settings
Board Foot = T×W×L / 144 (inches)
Boards
Calculation Results
| Board | T x W x L | Board Feet | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Board 1 | 1" x 6" x 8' | BF 0.333 | £2.00 |
What's a Board Foot?
A board foot is the standard US lumber volume measurement: 144 cubic inches (1 inch thick × 12 inches wide × 12 inches long). For other dimensions, use: thickness (inches) × width (inches) × length (feet) ÷ 12. So a 2x4x8 (1.5 in × 3.5 in × 96 in) is (1.5 × 3.5 × 96) ÷ 144 = 3.5 board feet.
Used in lumber pricing - dealers quote per board foot. A 2x4x8 might be £4 per board foot × 3.5 board feet = £14. Hardwoods (oak, walnut, cherry) range £6-30/bf depending on species and grade. Softwoods (pine, spruce, fir): £2-8/bf. The board foot accounts for both length and cross-section, making it the natural unit for lumber volume calculations.
Common Lumber Board Feet
| Lumber size | Length | Board feet |
|---|---|---|
| 2x4 (1.5x3.5) | 8 ft | 3.50 bf |
| 2x4 | 10 ft | 4.38 bf |
| 2x6 (1.5x5.5) | 8 ft | 5.50 bf |
| 2x8 (1.5x7.25) | 8 ft | 7.25 bf |
| 4x4 (3.5x3.5) | 8 ft | 8.17 bf |
| 1x6 (0.75x5.5) | 8 ft | 2.75 bf |
| 1x12 (0.75x11.25) | 8 ft | 5.62 bf |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is a 2x4 actually 1.5x3.5?
Lumber is sold by 'nominal' size (the rough sawn dimension before planing/drying). A 2x4 is rough-sawn at 2 inches × 4 inches, then dried and planed to its final 1.5 × 3.5 inches. Nominal sizes are the standard for ordering and pricing; actual sizes matter for fitting.
Is board foot the same as linear foot?
No. Board foot is volume; linear foot is length only. A 2x4 has 1 linear foot per foot of length, but 0.44 board feet per foot of length (since it's smaller than 1ft x 1ft x 1in cross-section). Linear feet for fence boards or trim; board feet for ordering bulk rough lumber.
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