Board-Foot Calculator

Buying lumber for a build and not sure what to ask for? Lumber is often priced by the board foot — a piece 1 foot by 1 foot by 1 inch thick. Put in the size and number of your boards below and this works out the total board feet, and the cost if you add a price. It all runs in your browser; nothing is sent or stored.

Board foot = 1 ft x 1 ft x 1 in of wood (144 cubic inches). Nominal sizes (a "1x6") are sold rough — measure if it matters.

board feet

Per board
Boards

A planning figure to help you order. Yards sell rough or surfaced lumber and round up to standard lengths, so buy a little extra for cuts, defects and mistakes.

A couple of things to remember at the yard: a “1×6” is a nominal size and usually measures less once surfaced, and boards are sold in standard lengths, so buy a little over what the calculator says to cover cuts, knots and the odd mistake.

Planning a build? See the repairs & how-to projects.