Lumber / Board Feet Calculator

Calculate board feet — the standard unit of measure for lumber in North America. One board foot equals a piece of wood 1 inch thick, 12 inches wide, and 1 foot long (144 cubic inches).

Formula

Board Feet = (Thickness × Width × Length) ÷ 12

All measurements: thickness in inches, width in inches, length in feet. Multiply by quantity for total.

Common Lumber Sizes

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a board foot?

A board foot is a unit of volume equal to 144 cubic inches, or a board 1" thick × 12" wide × 1' long.

Does this account for nominal vs actual lumber sizes?

No, this uses the dimensions you enter. Lumber sold as '2×4' is actually 1.5" × 3.5" — enter the actual dimensions for accurate calculations.