Landscaping & lumber
Board Foot Calculator
Enter lumber thickness, width, length and quantity to calculate board feet per board and for the full batch. Add a price per board foot only if you want a cost estimate.
YOUR MATERIAL ESTIMATE
A clearer quantity starts here.
Enter your measurements, check the units and calculate. Your result will include the assumptions and rounding steps.
Show calculation
THE WORKFLOW
How to use this board foot calculator
- Enter thickness in inches or quarter notation, such as 5/4 = 1.25 inches.
- Enter board width, length and quantity; confirm width and length units.
- Optionally enter price per board foot, then calculate per-board volume and total board feet.
Formula & assumptions
Board feet = thickness (in) × width (in) × length (ft) / 12 × quantity.
One board foot is 144 cubic inches. Enter the dimensions you intend to measure; the tool does not substitute nominal or finished sizes. Quarter notation such as 5/4 means 1.25 inches. This is not a log-yield estimate.
See methodology and sources →AN ARITHMETIC EXAMPLE, NOT A RECOMMENDATION
Worked example
Example only: one board, 1 in thick × 12 in wide × 8 ft long.
- Per board8 bd ft
- Volume equivalent0.667 ft³
Example calculation
1 in × 12 in × 8 ft ÷ 12 × 1 = 8 board feet.
Common questions
What is a board foot?
A volume measure equal to 144 cubic inches: 1 in thick × 12 in wide × 1 ft long. It is not the same as a linear foot.
Can I enter 4/4 or 5/4?
Yes. Quarter notation is converted to inches: 4/4 = 1 in, 5/4 = 1.25 in. The tool uses the dimensions entered, without substituting finished sizes.
Estimates only. Verify measurements and manufacturer packaging/yields. Project conditions vary. This tool does not provide structural engineering advice. Read the disclaimer.