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Board feet calculator

Calculate lumber volume from the
dimensions you enter.

Calculate your lumber volume

Dimension basis

No automatic nominal-to-actual conversion.

Rectangular boards only. No waste, kerf, defects or shrinkage allowance.
Supplier tally and billing rules may differ from entered-volume calculations.

55 board feet total

5.5 BF each4.583333cubic feet total
Dimension sketch · not to scale
1.5 in5.5 in wide8 ft length
BF = T (in) × W (in) × L (ft) × qty / 12

How it works

1

Measure actual dimensions

Use a tape measure and record the actual thickness, width and length.

2

Count identical boards

Enter how many boards are the same size.

3

Calculate the board-foot volume

We convert the volume to board feet using the standard formula.

Example: 1.5 × 5.5 × 8 × 10 / 12 = 55 board feet

Rectangular boards only. No waste, kerf, defects or shrinkage allowance. Supplier billing may differ.

Questions, Answered.

What is one board foot?

One board foot is 144 cubic inches, equivalent to a 1 inch × 12 inch × 12 inch volume. It measures volume, not linear length.

Nominal or actual dimensions?

The formula uses exactly the values entered. Select the matching basis. A nominal label never triggers an automatic nominal-to-actual conversion.

Can I enter 1 1/2 instead of 1.5?

Yes. Positive decimals, fractions and mixed numbers are accepted for dimensions. Quantity must be a nonnegative whole number; zero quantity gives zero total volume.

Illustrative lumber list: frame4boards22BF, panel2boards7.25BF, total6boards29.25BF.
PROJECT LUMBER LIST

A clearer tally
for every project part.

Group your parts by stock dimensions, add your own allowance, and separate the volume estimate from whole boards to buy.

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