Board Foot Calculator
A board foot is a measurement that can help you estimate the amount of lumber you need for a project. A board foot measures volume, with one board foot equal to a 1-foot long by 12-inch wide, by a 1-inch thick piece of lumber. Use our board feet calculator below for lumber estimations.
To estimate board feet enter the number of boards you’d like to purchase, length in feet, width in inches, and depth in inches.
Make your own calculations with the board foot formula below:
Board feet = length in feet x width in inches x depth in inches ÷12
For example, if you have a 2×4 that is 8 feet long, your calculation would look like this:
8 x 2 x 4 ÷ 12 = 5.333 board feet
If you have multiple boards and want to know your total board feet, add the number of boards to the beginning of the equation. For example, if you have twelve 2×4 boards 8’ feet long, figure board feet like this:
12 x 8 x 2 x 4 ÷ 12 = 64 board feet
Calculate Board Foot
Enter the number of pieces, thickness, width, and length to calculate the total board foot:
Why Use Board Feet?
Board Feet is a measurement that many sawmills use to keep track of hardwood lumber. It’s also a common line item on estimates from contractors and can help you understand lumber costs.
The “board foot” measurement originated from measuring hardwood, which was often cut in irregular shapes and sizes, unlike traditional softwoods. The board foot was a way for lumber mills to create a consistent measurement and offer consistent pricing.
The Difference Between a Board Foot of Lumber and a Regular Foot of Lumber
A standard foot of lumber measures length. For example, an eight-foot-long piece of lumber will cover eight feet in length. A board foot, however, measures volume, not the linear space a piece of lumber will cover.
How to Convert Board Feet to Square Feet
Board feet measures volume, while square feet measures area. To convert from board feet to square feet, divide your board feet number by the thickness of the boards.
For example, if you have 100 board feet of two-inch thick boards, your formula will look like this:
100 board feet ÷ 2 inch thickness = 50 square feet
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)FAQ
How to calculate 650 board feet to square feet?
To calculate board feet to square feet, you must know the thickness of your lumber. For example, if your lumber is one inch thick, there are 650 square feet in 650 board feet. If your lumber is two inches thick, you’ll end up with 325 square feet, and if your lumber is three inches thick, you’ll have 216.67 square feet of lumber.
How do you convert board feet to cubic meters?
To convert from board feet to cubic meters, divide your board foot value by 423.8.
How do you convert board feet to cubic feet?
To convert board feet to cubic feet, divide your board foot value by 12.
How many board feet are in a 2 x 2 x 10 board?
There are 3.333 board feet in a 2 x 2 x 10 board.