Board Foot Calculator
Board feet for lumber of any size and quantity, with cubic metres, linear length and cost per board foot or per m³.
A board foot is a volume of wood 1 in thick, 12 in wide and 1 ft long: 144 cubic inches. Board feet for any piece are thickness (in) × width (in) × length (ft) ÷ 12, so a 2 × 4 that's 8 ft long is 2 × 4 × 8 ÷ 12 = 5.33 board feet, and ten of them are 53.3. Hardwood is sold this way by the board foot, and softwood lumber often priced by it too. This calculator adds up any mix of sizes and quantities and shows the board feet, cubic metres, linear length and cost. In metric, timber is usually sold by the linear metre or the cubic metre; one cubic metre is about 424 board feet.
- Board feet
- 73.33
- Cubic metres
- 0.173
- Linear length
- 120 ft
- Per m³
- 423.8 BF
BF
6.11 ft³
14 pieces
1 BF = 144 in³
How it was worked out
- Line 1: 2 × 4 in × 8 ft ÷ 12 = 5.333 board feet × 10 = 53.33
- Line 2: 1 × 6 in × 10 ft ÷ 12 = 5 board feet × 4 = 20
A board foot is 1 in × 12 in × 1 ft (144 cubic inches). Softwood dimensional lumber is usually counted on its nominal size (a 2 × 4 is about 1.5 × 3.5 in), and hardwood by its rough thickness in quarters: 4/4 is 1 in, 8/4 is 2 in.
Common use cases
- Price hardwood for furniture or cabinets
- Compare quotes from lumber yards
- Convert a cutting list into board feet
- Convert board feet to cubic metres for imported timber
How to use
- Choose your units.
- Enter each size: thickness, width, length and how many pieces.
- Add more sizes as needed.
- Read the board feet, cubic metres and linear length, and add a price for the cost.
FAQ
How do I calculate board feet?
Thickness in inches × width in inches × length in feet ÷ 12. A 1 × 6 that's 10 ft long is 1 × 6 × 10 ÷ 12 = 5 board feet.
Do I use nominal or actual size?
Dimensional softwood lumber is usually counted on its nominal size (a 2 × 4 rather than 1½ × 3½ in). Rough hardwood is sold by its thickness in quarters: 4/4 is 1 in, 5/4 is 1¼ in and 8/4 is 2 in.
How many board feet are in a cubic metre?
About 424. One board foot is 0.00236 m³.
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Results are estimates for planning and buying materials, worked out from the figures you enter and typical values (weights, coverage, sizes) that vary by product and supplier. They are not engineering, building or professional advice. Check your local building code, the product maker's instructions and your supplier's figures before you buy or build, and use a qualified professional for structural, electrical and gas work.