About the Lumber Calculator
Enter the number of boards and their nominal dimensions to get total board feet — the standard unit for pricing lumber — plus lineal feet and an optional cost.
How it’s calculated
Board feet per board = thickness(in) × width(in) × length(ft) ÷ 12. Total = per board × number of boards.
Example calculation
Ten 2 × 4 boards, 8 ft long, are 53.3 board feet in total.
Frequently asked questions
What is a board foot?
A board foot is 144 cubic inches of wood — nominally a piece 1 inch thick, 12 inches wide, and 1 foot long. Hardwood is usually priced this way.
Nominal or actual size?
Board feet use nominal sizes by convention — a 2 × 4 is calculated as 2 × 4 even though it measures about 1.5 × 3.5 inches after milling.
This is a general material estimate for planning only. Actual quantities vary with waste, offcuts, site conditions, product coverage, and technique. Confirm measurements and coverage rates before ordering, follow local building codes, and round up — running short mid-project is costly.