Board Foot Calculator
Calculate board feet instantly. Enter your dimensions below to determine how much lumber you need for your project.
Board Foot Calculator
Thickness 4/4 (1")
Label W (in)
L
Qty BF 4.0
Total Board Feet
4.00 BF
Part 1: 1×1"×6"×8ft
What is a Board Foot?
A board foot (BF) is a unit of measurement for lumber volume. One board foot equals a piece of wood that is 1 inch thick, 12 inches wide, and 1 foot long — or 144 cubic inches.
Formula: Board Feet = (Thickness × Width × Length) / 12
The division by 12 accounts for the length being in feet while thickness and width are in inches.
Common Lumber Thicknesses
- 4/4 (four-quarter) = 1 inch thick
- 5/4 (five-quarter) = 1¼ inches thick
- 6/4 (six-quarter) = 1½ inches thick
- 8/4 (eight-quarter) = 2 inches thick
- 12/4 (twelve-quarter) = 3 inches thick
Note: Surfaced lumber is typically ¼" thinner than nominal. A 4/4 S4S board finishes at ~¾".
Why Calculate Board Feet?
- Estimate material costs — Lumber is priced per board foot
- Compare pricing — Standardize costs across different sizes
- Plan projects — Know how much lumber to purchase
- Minimize waste — Order the right amount for your cuts
Need Lumber in Tampa Bay?
Craftsmen Supply Center has been serving Tampa's contractors and woodworkers since 1957. Visit our yard or browse our catalog online.