Utility

Board Foot Calculator

Board feet of lumber from thickness, width, length and quantity, with the metric volume.

Board feet of lumber

Enter board dimensions and quantity.

in
in
ft
mm
mm
m
Board feet
-bf
Volume
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board feet = thickness × width × length(ft) ÷ 12 × quantity
Volume
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Board feet
-bf
volume = thickness × width × length × quantity; 1 board foot = 0.002360 m³
Estimate only. Confirm the final quantity with your supplier before ordering.

How to calculate board feet

A board foot is a volume of lumber 1 inch thick, 12 inches wide and 1 foot long, which is 144 cubic inches. Multiply thickness in inches by width in inches by length in feet, divide by 12, then multiply by the number of boards. Lumber is often priced per board foot, so this tells you both the volume and the basis for the price.

Sizing lumber? A reliable 25 foot tape with a clear blade is the one tool you reach for on every cut.

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Common questions

How do I calculate board feet?

Multiply thickness in inches by width in inches by length in feet, then divide by 12. A 2 by 6 board 8 feet long is 8 board feet.

Is board foot a measure of volume?

Yes. One board foot is 144 cubic inches, equivalent to a piece 1 inch thick, 12 inches wide and 1 foot long.
Knowledge Base

Estimating Guides & Reference

Plain-language guides on measuring, coverage and how much extra to buy, written for DIYers and trades.

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