Starting a project without the essential materials can lead to unnecessary delays and added expenses. Conversely, stockpiling excessive supplies can also strain your budget. That’s where our lumber calculator steps in, offering you the expertise you need to strike the perfect balance.
With precision, it ensures you acquire precisely the right amount of wood while providing an accurate estimate of your project’s total cost. If you want to learn more about lumber calculators, this article is for you!
Board Feet and Linear Feet Explained
First, let me discuss the difference between board feet and linear feet.
Board foot is a 3D measurement of the thickness, height, and width of the wood. In short, the board foot is the volume of the lumber. A board foot is equivalent to one inch thick and one square foot.
Multiplying the length in feet, width inches, and thickness in inches to calculate the board foot volume.
A linear foot is a length measurement. It is equivalent to 12 inches. You can measure it using a ruler.
Nominal and Actual Size
You can measure lumber in two ways. It has a nominal size that is different from its actual size. Due to some historical practices [1], the nominal size is bigger than the exact measurement. The lumber boards are not measured precisely at 2 x 4 inches.
The planing and drying procedures leave the wood with a thickness of 1 ½ inch and a width of 3 ½. These methods give a standard nominal size of 2 x 4 inches.
Read More:
Lumber Calculator Formula
If you have the number of lumber and the dimensions you need, here’s the formula used to get the total size.
Board feet = length (ft) x width (in) x thickness (in) / 12
After getting the volume of the lumber, you may now use the lumber calculator to multiply it by the number of wood pieces needed.
Lumber Project Price Calculator Formula
If you know the price of each wood, the calculator can also total the cost of your project. Take note of the lumber calculation difference between linear and board foot. Here is the formula behind the calculator:
Cost = Price per Linear Foot x Linear Feet
Cost = Price per Board Foot x Total Board Feet
You might want to check out: 2×4 Lumber Pricing
Synthetic or Regular Wood?
Laminate
Scratch-resistant, easier to install than regular hardwood, cheaper than hardwood, and can adapt well to changing weather and humidity.
Vinyl
It’s waterproof, but it is prone to fading.
Natural Wood
If there are damages or scratches, you can refinish it; however, keep in mind that refinishing can be more difficult and expensive than installing new materials.
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.
