What is a Board Foot?
In the realm of hardwood lumber measurements, board foot stands as a fundamental and most used unit. It differs significantly from the square foot, a standard unit for measuring area, as it quantifies volume instead.
A board foot represents precisely one square foot of lumber, but with a specific thickness of one inch. This measurement provides a practical means of assessing the volume of wood in a piece, allowing woodworkers and lumber professionals to calculate quantities accurately for various applications.
How to Calculate Board Feet Measurements
The board foot calculator will do the work to get your desired lumber measurements. Find out how it is calculated in this simple board foot formula:
Length in Inches
Multiply the board’s thickness by its width and length, then divide it by 144.
Board footage formula: (thickness x width x length) / 144
Length in Feet
Multiply the thickness by the width in inches and by the length in feet, then divide by 12.
Board Footage Formula: Thickness (in.) x Width (in.) x Length (ft.) / 12
How to Calculate the Cost
The estimated cost of lumber is achieved by getting the total number of board feet in one lumber, multiplied by the quantity of boards.
If you know the price per board foot [1], multiply the calculated result by the price per board foot to get the total cost for the boards.
How to Use the Board Foot Calculator
To start using the calculator, enter the length, width, and thickness of the lumber you plan to use. After that, input the cost of each board, and the calculator will provide you with the total price.
You can also specify the number of boards needed.
Click the “Calculate” button for the total board feet.
Interesting Read: What is Common Board?
Board Feet Charts
4/4 Lumber (1-Inch Thick)
4’ L | 6’ L | 8’ L | 10’ L | 12’ L | 14’ L | |
4” W | 1.33 BF | 2.0 BF | 2.67 BF | 3.33 BF | 4.0 BF | 4.67 BF |
6” W | 2.0 BF | 3.0 BF | 4.0 BF | 5.0 BF | 6.0 BF | 7.0 BF |
8” W | 2.67 BF | 4.0 BF | 5.33 BF | 6.67 BF | 8.0 BF | 9.33 BF |
10” W | 3.33 BF | 5.0 BF | 6.67 BF | 8.33 BF | 10.0 BF | 11.67 BF |
12” W | 4.0 BF | 6.0 BF | 8.0 BF | 10.0 BF | 12.0 BF | 14.0 BF |
8/4 Lumber (2-Inch Thick)
4’ L | 6’ L | 8’ L | 10’ L | 12’ L | 14’ L | |
4” W | 2.67 BF | 4.0 BF | 5.33 BF | 6.67 BF | 8.0 BF | 9.33 BF |
6” W | 4.0 BF | 6.0 BF | 8.0 BF | 10.0 BF | 12.0 BF | 14.0 BF |
8” W | 5.33 BF | 8.0 BF | 10.67 BF | 13.33 BF | 16.0 BF | 18.67 BF |
10” W | 6.67 BF | 10.0 BF | 13.33 BF | 16.67 BF | 20.0 BF | 23.33 BF |
12” W | 8.0 BF | 12.0 BF | 16.0 BF | 20.0 BF | 24.0 BF | 28.0 BF |
FAQ
How many board feet are in a 2x4x8?
There are 5 1/3 board feet in a 2x4x8. Simply multiply the 2 x 4 x 8 dimensions and divide the result by 12 to determine the total board feet.
Robert Johnson is a passionate furniture maker & carpenter, sought after for his knowledge on the craft.
You’ve probably seen his down-to-earth wisdom in USA Today, Bobvila, Family Handyman, and The Spruce, where he has shared commentary and guidance on various woodworking topics.
Robert is the brain behind Sawinery, where he aims to share tips, tricks, and a passion for all things carpentry.
