Board Foot Calculator

Category: Housing/Building
- April 20, 2025
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Calculate board feet for lumber or woodworking projects. Board footage is a volume measurement for lumber equal to 144 cubic inches (12" × 12" × 1").

Calculation Method

Board Dimensions

Display Options

About Board Foot Calculations

A board foot is a unit of volume for measuring lumber in the United States and Canada. It equals the volume of a one-foot length of a board that is one foot wide and one inch thick (12" × 12" × 1" = 144 cubic inches).

Basic Board Foot Formula

The standard formula for calculating board feet is:

Board Feet = (Thickness in inches × Width in inches × Length in feet) ÷ 12

For metric measurements, the formula must include conversion factors:

Board Feet = (Thickness in cm × Width in cm × Length in m × 0.423776)
Log Scale Methods
  • Doyle Scale: The oldest and most common log rule in the Eastern US. It underestimates small logs and overestimates large logs.
  • Scribner Scale: Assumes 1/4" saw kerf and no taper. More accurate for medium-sized logs.
  • International 1/4" Scale: Most accurate, accounting for saw kerf and taper. Commonly used for high-value timber.

What Is a Board Foot Calculator?

The Board Foot Calculator is a simple tool that helps you figure out how much lumber you need for woodworking, construction, or home improvement projects. Whether you’re planning to build a deck, furniture, or framing walls, this calculator makes it easy to estimate the volume of wood required.

This tool uses board footage as the primary unit—a standard in the lumber industry that represents the volume of a board that is 12 inches long, 12 inches wide, and 1 inch thick.

Board Feet = (Thickness in inches × Width in inches × Length in feet) ÷ 12
Board Feet = Thickness (cm) × Width (cm) × Length (m) × 0.423776

Why Use a Board Foot Calculator?

This calculator helps you avoid overbuying or underestimating the wood you need, saving both money and time. It’s especially helpful when paired with other tools like a square footage tool, gravel volume estimator, or foundation material estimator—allowing for more precise planning across your entire project.

How to Use the Calculator

You can calculate board feet using three different methods:

  • Single Board: Enter the thickness, width, length, and quantity of a single type of board.
  • Multiple Boards: Add multiple boards with different dimensions and quantities.
  • Log Method: Estimate board footage from raw logs using industry scales like Doyle, Scribner, or International 1/4".

Here’s a quick step-by-step:

  • Select your calculation method.
  • Input the dimensions and quantity of wood.
  • Choose your measurement units (inches, feet, centimeters, etc.).
  • Click “Calculate” to view the results including total board feet, square footage, cubic feet, and cost.
  • Adjust price per board foot to estimate total material cost.

Included Features

  • Supports various unit conversions (inches, feet, cm, mm, meters)
  • Log calculations with quality-based yield adjustments
  • Square footage for surface coverage planning
  • Cost estimation based on board foot price
  • Detailed breakdown of calculations

How It Helps

This calculator is useful for anyone working with wood—contractors, carpenters, DIYers, and builders. It's especially helpful when paired with tools like a decking material guide, flooring cost estimator, or a paint coverage estimator to get a more complete project overview.

It’s also a practical complement to tools like the drywall material estimator or insulation material planner when calculating materials for finishing a space.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a board foot?

A board foot is a measurement of volume for lumber. One board foot equals 144 cubic inches (12” × 12” × 1”).

Can I use metric measurements?

Yes. You can enter dimensions in centimeters or millimeters, and the calculator will handle conversions.

Can I calculate the cost of my lumber?

Yes. Enter the price per board foot to get an estimated total cost.

Is this only for rectangular boards?

No. You can also calculate board feet from logs using log scale methods.

What if I’m working on a larger project?

Use this calculator alongside a foundation material guide, roofing cost estimator, or tile coverage guide for more complete planning.

Final Tip

For larger or complex builds, consider using this alongside other calculators like a concrete pour planning tool or stair layout tool to ensure all measurements and materials are accounted for.