Board Feet
Calculator
Results
- Board feet per piece
- 4
- Total board feet
- 16
- Volume (m³)
- 0.037755
Results
| Board feet per piece | 4 |
| Total board feet | 16 |
| Volume (m³) | 0.037755 |
formula-map diagram
- Board feet per piece
- 4
- Total board feet
- 16
- Volume (m³)
- 0.037755
Formula map
Formula
bf = T(in) × W(in) × L(in) ÷ 144= 4
Note
This result is a simplified model; verify against your shop's own tolerances and material data before cutting.
More in Woodworking and metalwork
See all →Frequently asked questions
What exactly is a board foot?+
A board foot is a volume measurement equal to 144 cubic inches, the same as a piece 12 inches long, 12 inches wide, and 1 inch thick. It lets lumber yards price rough boards of any width or length on a consistent basis.
How is board footage calculated from dimensions?+
Multiply thickness (inches) by width (inches) by length (inches), then divide by 144. Some suppliers ask for length in feet instead, in which case you divide by 12 rather than 144.
Do I measure nominal or actual lumber size?+
Board footage is almost always priced on nominal (rough-sawn) dimensions, not the smaller actual size after planing. A board sold as 1x6 is billed as 1 inch by 6 inches even though it measures closer to 3/4 by 5.5 inches once surfaced.
Why does board footage round up at the lumberyard?+
Thickness is typically rounded up to the next quarter inch (a board planed to 0.9 inches is still billed as 1 inch), which is why a stack of finished lumber always contains more board feet than the furniture actually needs.
Does board footage account for waste from cutting or defects?+
No, it only measures the raw volume of the board as purchased. You need to add a separate waste allowance, typically 15-30%, to cover knots, warp, and cut-off scrap before ordering.