Lumber Cost Calculator
Estimate the total cost of lumber from board feet and price per board foot. Adjust for species, waste, and quantity to budget your project.
Last updated 2026-08-21
What Is a Lumber Cost Calculator?
A lumber cost calculator turns board feet into a dollar amount using a price per board foot. It is the tool to use when a lumber yard quotes wood by the board foot, which is common for hardwoods and some dimensional stock. It helps homeowners budget a project before they commit to an order.
How It Works
Cost = Board feet × Price per board foot.
Example
For 1,000 board feet at $2.00/bf: 1000 × 2 = $2,000.
How to Calculate
- Add up the total board feet for your project. For example, 1,000 board feet of framing lumber.
- Confirm the price per board foot from your supplier. A typical figure might be $2.00 per board foot.
- Multiply the board feet by the price. One thousand times $2.00 is $2,000.
- If you have not already, add a 5 to 10 percent waste factor to the board feet before multiplying.
- Add delivery and any tax separately, since those are usually not in the per board foot price.
Approximate Lumber Prices by Species per Board Foot
| Lumber Type | Typical Price per Board Foot |
|---|---|
| Framing (SPF) | $0.80 to $2.00 |
| Douglas Fir | $1.50 to $3.00 |
| Red Oak | $3.00 to $6.00 |
| Maple | $3.50 to $7.00 |
| Walnut | $6.00 to $12.00 |
| Cherry | $4.00 to $8.00 |
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I find board-foot pricing?
Lumber yards quote per board foot for most dimensional and hardwoods. Home centers often price per piece instead.
Does price include delivery?
No — delivery fees are typically separate for lumber orders.
Should I add waste to board feet first?
Yes, add 5–10% to the board-feet quantity before applying price.
or browse Lumber Calculators