◧MeasureThenConstruction Calculators

Board Feet Calculator

Find the board footage of lumber by entering thickness, width, and length. Add a price per board foot to estimate cost for your project.

Mason ReidFounder and Lead Estimator at MeasureThen

Last updated 2026-08-21

What Is a Board Feet Calculator?

A board foot calculator figures the volume of lumber in board feet, the standard unit sawmills and lumber yards use to price wood. One board foot equals a piece 12 inches long, 12 inches wide, and 1 inch thick. It is a quick way for homeowners and DIYers to size an order and compare prices across different lumber dimensions.

How It Works

Board feet = (Thickness in × Width in × Length ft ÷ 12) × Number of pieces.

Example

Five 2×4×10 boards: (2 × 4 × 10 ÷ 12) × 5 = 6.67 × 5 = 33.3 board feet.

How to Calculate

  1. Measure the thickness and width of your board in inches and its length in feet, using the nominal size you plan to buy, such as a 2x4 or 2x6.
  2. Multiply the thickness by the width by the length. For one 2x4 that is 10 feet long, that is 2 times 4 times 10 equals 80.
  3. Divide that result by 12 to get the board feet for one piece. For the 2x4x10, 80 divided by 12 is about 6.67 board feet.
  4. Enter the number of identical pieces. Five of those boards give 6.67 times 5, which is about 33.3 board feet.
  5. If you know a price per board foot, multiply the total board feet by that price to get your estimated material cost.

Board Feet for Common Lumber Sizes (per 8 ft and 10 ft lengths)

Lumber SizeBoard Feet per 8 ftBoard Feet per 10 ft
2x45.336.67
2x68.0010.00
2x810.6713.33
2x1013.3316.67
2x1216.0020.00
4x410.6713.33
6x624.0030.00

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a board foot?

A board foot is 1 ft × 1 ft × 1 in of lumber — the standard unit for pricing rough and dimensional lumber.

Does this use nominal or actual size?

Lumber is priced using nominal (named) dimensions like 2×4, so this calculator uses nominal sizes.

Why divide by 12?

The formula multiplies inches by inches by feet; dividing by 12 converts to board feet.

Estimate the cost with the Lumber Cost Calculator. Also try: Lumber Cost Calculator, 2x4 Calculator or browse Lumber Calculators

More Lumber Calculators

Lumber CalculatorEstimate lumber quantities and board feet for a project.2x4 CalculatorCalculate the number of 2x4s needed for framing.Framing CalculatorCalculate the exact number of wall studs, plates, and framing lumber. Set stud spacing for 16 in or 24 in on center and account for openings.Stud CalculatorCalculate the number of wall studs needed.Lumber Cost CalculatorEstimate the total cost of lumber from board feet and price per board foot. Adjust for species, waste, and quantity to budget your project.

Mason ReidFounder and Lead Estimator at MeasureThen

Mason Reid founded MeasureThen after two decades of hands-on work in construction and estimating. Across residential and light commercial projects, he sized concrete pours, framed walls, hung drywall, and priced out roofing, fencing, and deck work — learning the exact math that every job depends on. At MeasureThen he writes the formulas, checks every calculator against real-world assumptions, and makes sure each one is simple enough for a homeowner to trust and a contractor to use. When he is not measuring twice, he is helping projects stay on budget.

Every MeasureThen calculator uses simple, transparent formulas and standard industry assumptions drawn from common construction practice. We show the math behind each result and include worked examples so you can follow along and double-check the numbers. Results are estimates: materials, labor, and pricing vary by region and market, so always confirm important figures with a licensed professional and your local building codes.