Woodworking calculator
Board Foot Calculator
Calculate board feet from thickness, width, length and quantity, then add waste and price when you need them.
What a board foot means
One board foot is 144 cubic inches of lumber. A board that is 1 inch thick, 12 inches wide and 12 inches long is one board foot.
Formula
Board feet = thickness × width × length in inches ÷ 144
Common mistakes
- Entering nominal dimensions when the lumber is being priced from actual dimensions.
- Entering feet into a field being treated as inches.
- Confusing board feet with square feet.
- Buying the exact mathematical amount and leaving no allowance for defects or cutting.
Before you use the result
This calculator performs the math using the information you enter. Check the measurements and make sure the result fits the actual project before cutting, buying materials, or putting anything into service.