Lumber Board-Foot Calculator
Calculate board feet, waste-adjusted piece count, total linear length, wood volume and lumber cost.
Default project preview
132 board ft
Board feet each
12
Base board feet
120
Boards to buy
11
Total linear length
132 ft
Calculator
Build the material order
Your order will appear here
Enter the project details and calculate a rounded material estimate.
Methodology
Transparent calculation
BuildMeter converts every input to a consistent internal unit, applies the selected allowance, and rounds products up to whole purchasable units.
Board feet per piece = thickness (in) × width (in) × length (ft) ÷ 12. Order pieces = round up (quantity × waste factor). Cost = order board feet × price per board foot.
BuildMeter Guides
Understand the measurements and assumptions
Use these visible reference guides before changing project inputs or planning allowances.
FAQ
Lumber Board-Foot Calculator questions
What is one board foot?+
One board foot is a volume equal to a board 1 inch thick, 12 inches wide and 12 inches long.
Should nominal or actual lumber dimensions be used?+
Board-foot pricing commonly uses nominal dimensions, but supplier practices vary. Match the dimensions used on the quote.
Why is waste rounded by complete boards?+
Lumber is purchased as full pieces, so the calculator rounds the waste-adjusted quantity upward before calculating the final order.