Board Foot Calculator is a free online tool to calculate Board Feet.
Board Feet = (Length × Width × Thickness) ÷ 144
* All dimensions converted to inches for calculation
* 144 = 12² (square inches in a square foot)
The Board Foot Calculator is a professional lumber volume calculation tool that helps woodworkers, architects, contractors, and DIY enthusiasts quickly and accurately calculate lumber requirements. Whether you're planning a small furniture project or a large construction project, our calculator provides precise lumber volume calculations.
A board foot is a lumber volume unit commonly used in North America, defined as the volume of lumber measuring 1 foot long, 1 foot wide, and 1 inch thick. Our calculator uses the standard formula: Board Feet = (Length × Width × Thickness) ÷ 144, where all dimensions are in inches.
Calculate multiple pieces of different dimensions simultaneously with automatic total volume summary
Customizable waste factor percentage to ensure adequate lumber procurement
Instant calculation results as you input data, no waiting required
Shows detailed calculation process and results for each piece of lumber
Works on all devices including phones, tablets, and computers
No registration or payment required, completely free to use
A board foot is a volume unit commonly used in the lumber industry, defined as the volume of lumber measuring 1 foot long, 1 foot wide, and 1 inch thick. It equals 144 cubic inches of volume. Board feet are primarily used to calculate the volume and pricing of sawn lumber.
The board foot calculation formula is: (Length × Width × Thickness) ÷ 144. All dimensions must be in inches. For example, a piece of lumber measuring 96 inches long, 6 inches wide, and 2 inches thick would be: (96 × 6 × 2) ÷ 144 = 8 board feet.
In actual woodworking projects, due to cutting losses, material defects, measurement errors, and other factors, it's typically necessary to purchase 10-20% more lumber than theoretically calculated. The waste factor helps you reserve extra material to ensure project completion.
Our board foot calculator is suitable for various woodworking projects, including furniture making, renovation work, construction projects, DIY projects, and more. Both professional woodworkers and hobby enthusiasts can use it.
Ensure you use accurate measuring tools, precise to 1/4 inch. Consider the actual dimensions of lumber, not nominal dimensions.
Before starting your project, list all required lumber dimensions and quantities, then calculate each one using our calculator.
If you need planing, grooving, or other processing, reserve extra material thickness beyond the original dimensions.
After calculating total board feet, compare per-board-foot prices from different suppliers to choose the most economical purchasing option.