Board Feet Calculator
Calculate board feet of lumber needed for any woodworking project.
Board Feet Calculator
What This Calculator Does
The Board Feet Calculator determines the volume of lumber in board feet - the standard unit for buying and selling lumber in the US. Enter the thickness, width, and length of a board (or multiple boards) to get the total board footage instantly.
One board foot equals 144 cubic inches (12 in x 12 in x 1 in). Lumber yards and home centers price dimensional lumber by the board foot, making this calculation essential for any woodworking, framing, or decking project. A 2x4x96-inch stud contains 5.33 board feet. At current lumber prices of approximately $1.20-$1.80 per board foot, knowing the board footage helps prevent both shortages and costly overages.
Use this calculator for any dimensional lumber: studs, joists, rafters, deck boards, or hardwood lumber. The calculator also shows the per-board board footage so you can understand the unit pricing regardless of board dimensions.
How to Use
- Measure the thickness, width, and length of your lumber in inches. For US dimensional lumber, use nominal dimensions (e.g., a 2x4 actually measures 1.5 x 3.5 inches).
- Enter the thickness in inches, width in inches, and length in inches.
- Enter the quantity of identical boards.
- Click "Calculate" to see the total board feet and per-board board footage.
- Multiply total board feet by the price per board foot from your supplier to get the lumber cost.
Reference Table
| Lumber Size | Actual Size (in) | Board Feet per LF | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2x4 | 1.5 x 3.5 | 0.036 BF per in | Studs, plates, blocking |
| 2x6 | 1.5 x 5.5 | 0.057 BF per in | Joists, rafters, headers |
| 2x8 | 1.5 x 7.25 | 0.076 BF per in | Floor joists, beams |
| 2x10 | 1.5 x 9.25 | 0.096 BF per in | Roof rafters, floor joists |
| 4x4 | 3.5 x 3.5 | 0.085 BF per in | Posts, columns |
| 4x6 | 3.5 x 5.5 | 0.134 BF per in | Beams, heavy posts |
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Frequently Asked Questions
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