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Trade and Construction Calculators

Board Foot Calculator

Use this board foot calculator entirely in your browser.

ResultBoard feet including allowance: 88.00 bd ft

Measured lumber: 80.00 bd ft

10 boards × 2 in × 6 in × 8 ft

Waste allowance: 10.0%

Nominal versus actual dimensions, machining, defects, cut plans, and supplier units may change the quantity required.

Calculations happen locally in your browser.

How to use this calculator

  1. Enter the labelled values and review the live result.
  2. Review the live result and use Copy result when you need to share it.

How the calculation works

Board feet equal count × thickness in inches × width in inches × length in feet ÷ 12, plus the allowance entered.

Formula

Board feet = count × thickness (in) × width (in) × length (ft) ÷ 12

Step-by-step calculation

  1. Enter the labelled values and review the live result.
  2. Board feet equal count × thickness in inches × width in inches × length in feet ÷ 12, plus the allowance entered.
  3. Check the displayed result, then copy it if needed.

Worked example

Ten boards measuring 2 in × 6 in × 8 ft equal 80 board feet before allowance.

Methodology and review

Who this is for

Woodworkers and buyers comparing lumber volume.

Inputs and units

  • Thickness in inches
  • Width in inches
  • Length in feet
  • Quantity

Method

Board feet equal thickness in inches × width in inches × length in feet ÷ 12, multiplied by quantity.

Worked example

A 1 × 12 × 8-foot board equals 8 board feet.

Assumptions

  • Dimensions are nominal rectangular lumber dimensions.
  • All pieces share the entered size.

Common mistakes

  • Using centimetres in the inch fields
  • Confusing nominal and actual dimensions

Limitations

  • Surfacing, kerf, defects, moisture, and supplier conventions can change purchasable volume.
  • Confirm actual dimensions and pricing units with the supplier.

How this tool was checked

Unit tests compare standard one-inch lumber examples and quantity multiplication.

Reference sources

Related tools

Calculation review: 21 August 2026. Published by Goldwave Dynamics Limited. This is an internal product review, not an independent certification.

Risk guidance

How board feet are measured

One board foot is a volume of 12 by 12 by 1 inches. The standard formula uses thickness and width in inches and length in feet.

Nominal and actual sizes differ

Planed lumber may be smaller than its nominal label. Confirm which dimensions, grade, defects, moisture condition, cut plan, and supplier units apply.

Frequently asked questions

Does this tool send my inputs anywhere?

No. The interactive calculation runs in your browser and this site does not submit tool inputs to a backend.

How should I use the result?

Use it for early planning only. Verify measurements, definitions, current local requirements, and the complete design with the relevant authority and appropriately qualified professionals.

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