Calculate board feet for any lumber dimensions. Add multiple boards with different sizes and get total board feet with cost estimates.
| Board | Dimensions | BF/Piece | Total BF |
|---|
A board foot is the standard unit of measurement for hardwood lumber in the United States. One board foot equals 144 cubic inches of wood — equivalent to a board that is 1 inch thick, 12 inches wide, and 12 inches long. Understanding board feet is essential for buying hardwood lumber, estimating project costs, and comparing prices between suppliers.
The formula to calculate board feet is straightforward:
Or, if length is in feet:
| Lumber Size | 6 ft | 8 ft | 10 ft | 12 ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1×4 (4/4) | 2.0 BF | 2.67 BF | 3.33 BF | 4.0 BF |
| 1×6 (4/4) | 3.0 BF | 4.0 BF | 5.0 BF | 6.0 BF |
| 1×8 (4/4) | 4.0 BF | 5.33 BF | 6.67 BF | 8.0 BF |
| 1×10 (4/4) | 5.0 BF | 6.67 BF | 8.33 BF | 10.0 BF |
| 1×12 (4/4) | 6.0 BF | 8.0 BF | 10.0 BF | 12.0 BF |
| 2×4 (8/4) | 4.0 BF | 5.33 BF | 6.67 BF | 8.0 BF |
| 2×6 (8/4) | 6.0 BF | 8.0 BF | 10.0 BF | 12.0 BF |
| 2×8 (8/4) | 8.0 BF | 10.67 BF | 13.33 BF | 16.0 BF |
| 2×10 (8/4) | 10.0 BF | 13.33 BF | 16.67 BF | 20.0 BF |
| 2×12 (8/4) | 12.0 BF | 16.0 BF | 20.0 BF | 24.0 BF |
| Species | 4/4 (1") | 8/4 (2") | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Oak | $4.50–$7.00 | $6.00–$9.00 | Most popular, widely available |
| White Oak | $5.50–$8.50 | $7.00–$11.00 | Water-resistant, great for outdoor |
| Hard Maple | $5.00–$8.00 | $7.00–$10.00 | Extremely hard, light color |
| Black Cherry | $5.00–$8.00 | $6.50–$10.00 | Darkens with age, fine furniture |
| Black Walnut | $8.00–$14.00 | $10.00–$18.00 | Premium, limited supply |
| Ash | $4.00–$6.50 | $5.50–$8.50 | Strong, great for tools/sports |
| Poplar | $2.50–$4.50 | $3.50–$6.00 | Budget-friendly, paints well |
| Mahogany (Sapele) | $7.00–$11.00 | $9.00–$14.00 | Tropical, rot-resistant |
| Hickory | $5.00–$8.00 | $7.00–$10.00 | Hardest domestic wood |
| White Pine (soft) | $2.00–$3.50 | $3.00–$5.00 | Softwood, easy to work |
Note: Prices vary significantly by region, supplier, grade (FAS, Select, #1 Common), and whether the lumber is kiln-dried or rough-sawn. The prices above represent typical retail prices for kiln-dried, surfaced lumber.
Hardwood thickness is expressed in quarters of an inch. This system tells you the rough-sawn thickness before surfacing:
| Quarter | Rough Thickness | Surfaced (S2S) |
|---|---|---|
| 4/4 (four-quarter) | 1" | 13/16" |
| 5/4 (five-quarter) | 1-1/4" | 1-1/16" |
| 6/4 (six-quarter) | 1-1/2" | 1-5/16" |
| 8/4 (eight-quarter) | 2" | 1-13/16" |
| 12/4 (twelve-quarter) | 3" | 2-13/16" |
| 16/4 (sixteen-quarter) | 4" | 3-13/16" |
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