Board Foot Calculator
Calculate board feet of lumber from thickness, width, length, and quantity.
A board foot is the standard unit for measuring hardwood lumber in North America. One board foot equals a piece of wood 1 inch thick, 12 inches wide, and 1 foot long — essentially 144 cubic inches of wood.
The formula is: Board Feet = (Thickness in inches x Width in inches x Length in feet) / 12. When purchasing multiple boards, multiply by the quantity to get the total board footage.
Lumber is priced per board foot at sawmills and hardwood dealers. Understanding this measurement helps you accurately estimate costs for woodworking projects, furniture building, and cabinetry. Note that nominal lumber sizes (like a "2x4") differ from actual dimensions — always use actual measurements for precise calculations.