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Board Foot Calculator
Total hardwood volume and estimated cost from thickness, width, length, and price per board foot. Built for shop cut lists and lumber yard quotes.
*Using Nominal Thickness
How Board Feet Work
A board foot is a volume measure equal to a board 12″ × 12″ × 1″ thick (144 cubic inches). Hardwood yards almost always price by the board foot, so converting your cut list to BF is how you compare quotes and check invoices.
How to use this calculator
- Enter quantity, nominal thickness (4/4, 5/4, etc.), actual width, and length in inches.
- Set the price per board foot from your lumberyard quote.
- Add more rows for each size in the order. The total BF and estimated cost update live.
Nominal thickness vs surfaced size
Hardwood is sold by nominal thickness: 4/4 is billed as 1″ even after it surfaces to about 13/16″. This tool uses nominal thickness in the formula (T × W × L) / 144, which matches how yards invoice. Width and length should be the measured (or billed) face size in inches.
FAQ
Should length be in feet or inches?
Inches. A 8-foot board is entered as 96. If you prefer feet, multiply by 12 before entering, or convert after: BF = T × W × (feet) / 12.
Does this include waste for milling?
No. Board feet here are purchase volume. Plan 10–30% extra for defects, grain matching, and machining depending on the project and grade.
Can I use this for softwood dimensional lumber?
Softwood 2×4s are usually sold by the piece or linear foot, not BF. Stick to hardwood and specialty stock priced per board foot.
Why does my yard’s total differ slightly?
Yards may round each board, use random widths, or apply a different thickness convention. Use their invoice dimensions if you are reconciling a delivery.
Related guide: How Board Feet Are Sold — and Why Nominal Thickness Matters
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