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Board Foot Calculator
Add each board: thickness, width, length and how many. The calculator gives board feet for each row and the total, the cost at your price per board foot, and the volume in cubic feet and cubic meters. Ten 2×6 boards that are 8 ft long come to 80 board feet.
Updated · Sources re-checked by
80 board feet
6.67 cubic feet · 0.189 cubic meters
Enter the nominal size the lumber is sold by (a 2×6 is 2 and 6). You can type 1.5, 5 1/2 or 8 ft. Nothing you type is saved or sent anywhere.
How board feet are calculated
One board foot is 144 cubic inches, the volume of a board 1 in thick, 12 in wide and 12 in (1 ft) long. Board feet = thickness (in) × width (in) × length (ft) ÷ 12, times the quantity. Hardwood is often sold in quarters of an inch: 4/4 is 1 in, 5/4 is 1 1/4 in, 8/4 is 2 in, so thickness in inches = the first number ÷ 4. Cost = board feet × the price per board foot. Cubic feet = board feet ÷ 12, and 1 board foot = 0.002360 cubic meters. Use the nominal size lumber is sold by, for example 2×6, not the smaller finished size.
| Size | Board feet |
|---|---|
| 1×4 | 2.67 |
| 1×6 | 4 |
| 2×4 | 5.33 |
| 2×6 | 8 |
| 2×8 | 10.67 |
| 2×10 | 13.33 |
| 2×12 | 16 |
| Notation | Thickness | Board feet in a 1 ft wide, 1 ft long piece |
|---|---|---|
| 4/4 | 1 in | 1 |
| 5/4 | 1.25 in | 1.25 |
| 6/4 | 1.5 in | 1.5 |
| 8/4 | 2 in | 2 |
| 12/4 | 3 in | 3 |
| 16/4 | 4 in | 4 |
Worked example: ten 2×6 boards, 8 ft long, at $6 per board foot
- One board: 2 × 6 × 8 ÷ 12 = 8 board feet.
- Ten boards: 10 × 8 = 80 board feet.
- Cost at $6 per board foot: 80 × 6 = $480.00.
- Cubic feet: 80 ÷ 12 = 6.67.
- Cubic meters: 80 × 0.002360 = 0.189.
Common questions
What is a board foot?
A unit of lumber volume equal to 144 cubic inches, which is a board 1 in thick, 12 in wide and 1 ft long. Hardwood and specialty lumber is often priced per board foot.
How do I calculate board feet?
Multiply thickness in inches by width in inches by length in feet, then divide by 12. A 2×6 that is 8 ft long is 2 × 6 × 8 ÷ 12 = 8 board feet.
Should I use nominal or actual size?
Lumber yards bill by the nominal size, for example a 2×6 that actually measures 1 1/2 by 5 1/2 in, so enter 2 and 6. If you are paying by the exact volume of a rough-sawn board, enter its real size.
What does 4/4 or 8/4 mean?
Quarters of an inch. 4/4 is 1 in thick, 5/4 is 1 1/4 in, 6/4 is 1 1/2 in and 8/4 is 2 in. Switch the thickness box to quarters and type the first number.
How do I price lumber that is sold by the board foot?
Multiply the total board feet by the price per board foot. Ask the seller whether the price includes surfacing, and add waste for cuts and defects.
How many board feet are in a cubic foot?
Twelve. A cubic foot is 1,728 cubic inches, and a board foot is 144 cubic inches.
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Sources
- Board foot: definition (144 cubic inches), the formula, and quarter notation for hardwood thickness (checked October 28, 2026)
This calculator is an estimate for planning. Lumber is graded and priced by the seller, so confirm the size, the price and any extra for surfacing and waste before you buy.