Board Foot Calculator
Your estimate
Board feet8
- Volume
- 0.019 m³0.67 ft³ · 5 gal
- Estimated cost
- $48.00
Hardwood and lumber are priced by the board foot — enter the board, the count and the price.
Updated 2026-10-20 · Based on: exact NIST unit definitions.
How to use the Board Foot Calculator
- Enter thickness and width in inches (use the size you pay for, e.g. 4/4 = 1 in).
- Enter the length in feet and how many boards.
- Add the price per board foot.
Formula
Board feet = thickness (in) × width (in) × length (ft) ÷ 12.
One board foot = 144 in³ (1 in × 12 in × 12 in).
Worked example
With the values preset in the calculator above:
- Thickness
- 2 in
- Width
- 6 in
- Length
- 8 ft
- Quantity
- 1
- Board feet
- 8
- Volume
- 0.019 m³ (0.67 ft³)
- Estimated cost
- $48.00
Board feet of common lumber sizes
| Thickness (in) | Width (in) | Length (ft) | Board feet |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | 8 | 2.67 |
| 1 | 6 | 8 | 4 |
| 2 | 4 | 8 | 5.33 |
| 2 | 6 | 8 | 8 |
| 2 | 8 | 10 | 13.33 |
| 2 | 10 | 12 | 20 |
| 2 | 12 | 16 | 32 |
| 4 | 4 | 8 | 10.67 |
| 6 | 6 | 10 | 30 |
Frequently asked questions
How many board feet in a 2×6×8?
8 board feet (2 × 6 × 8 ÷ 12).
Do I use nominal or actual size?
Lumberyards usually price on nominal or rough-sawn size (a 2×4 is counted as 2 × 4 in), not the planed size.
What is 4/4, 5/4 and 8/4 lumber?
Thickness in quarters of an inch: 4/4 = 1 in, 5/4 = 1¼ in, 8/4 = 2 in.
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Estimates only — check quantities with your supplier and local building code before you order.