Standing in the lumber aisle with a cut list and no idea what it will cost? Add your boards below and get board feet and a total price in one go.
Board Foot Calculator: Lumber Cost for Your Whole Cut List
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| Qty | Thick (in) | Width (in) | Length (ft) | $ per bd ft |
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Formula: board feet = thickness (in) × width (in) × length (ft) ÷ 12. One board foot = 144 cubic inches (a board 1 in thick, 12 in wide, 12 in long). For softwood dimension lumber, use the nominal size (a 2x4 counts as 2 × 4), as the lumber standard does. For rough hardwood, use the thickness in quarters (4/4 = 1 in, 8/4 = 2 in) and the actual width. Default prices are examples only: enter what your yard charges. Waste allowance is a planning estimate, not a rule.
What is a board foot?
Lumber yards sell hardwood by the board foot, which measures volume rather than length. Home centers usually price softwood boards and studs by the piece, so for those it is easier to enter the price per board and let the calculator work out the board feet for you. A dry 2x4 is actually about 1½ by 3½ inches once it is planed (American Softwood Lumber Standard PS 20), but board footage is still counted on the nominal 2 by 4.
Five ways to cut your lumber bill
1. Plan cuts before you shop. A cut list with every part sized lets you buy lengths that waste least. 2. Allow for defects. Knots, checks and twist mean some wood gets cut away; 10-20% extra is a common planning figure for beginners. 3. Mix grades. Use cheaper boards for hidden parts. 4. Ask about shorts and offcuts. Many yards sell short boards cheaply. 5. Let wood acclimate. Store new boards flat in the room where you will work for a few days so they settle before cutting.
Printable Cut List & Project Cost Planner
A FlarePress digital download: fill-in cut list sheets, a board foot and cost tracker, a shopping list by lumber size and a project log. Instant download; print at home or use on a tablet. No physical item is shipped.
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Browse TedsWoodworking plans →FAQ
How do you calculate board feet?
Multiply thickness in inches by width in inches by length in feet, then divide by 12. For example, one 2x6 that is 8 feet long is 2 x 6 x 8 / 12 = 8 board feet.
Do I use nominal or actual size?
For softwood dimension lumber, board feet are counted on the nominal size (2x4 = 2 by 4), even though a dry 2x4 is about 1-1/2 by 3-1/2 inches. Rough hardwood is measured by its thickness in quarters (4/4, 8/4) and its actual width.
How many board feet are in a 2x4x8?
2 x 4 x 8 / 12 = 5.33 board feet.
How much extra lumber should I buy?
There is no fixed rule. Many woodworkers add 10-20% for knots, defects and offcuts, more for beginners or rough lumber, less for simple projects with stock lengths.
Why is hardwood priced per board foot?
Hardwood boards come in random widths and lengths, so yards price them by volume. Softwood studs and boards at home centers are usually priced per piece.
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Sources
- USDA Forest Products Laboratory, Wood Handbook ch. 6: Commercial Lumber (nominal vs actual size)
- American Softwood Lumber Standard PS 20 (board measure; dry 2x4 = 1-1/2 x 3-1/2 in)
- 7 CFR 1217.4: definition of a board foot (12 x 12 x 1 in; nominal thickness and width, actual length)
- EPA: Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA) treated wood
- OSHA: Woodworking eTool (guards, PPE, dust)