No need to know the vocabulary first
A few words, explained
- Stock
- The wood or other material you start with.
- Grain
- The direction and pattern of the wood's fibers.
- Board foot
- A lumber-volume unit equal to a piece 12 inches long, 12 inches wide and 1 inch thick.
Use rough dimensions
Calculate board feet from the stock you need to buy before milling, not only from the final part size. Flattening, jointing, defects, and grain selection all affect what the project really consumes.
Use the formula consistently
For stock measured in inches and feet, multiply thickness in inches by width in inches by length in feet, then divide by 12. Multiply the result by the current price per board foot.
Add an allowance for usable yield
The formula gives volume, not a promise that every inch becomes a part. Add a documented waste allowance for defects, milling loss, matching, and cutoffs.
Shop 101
Apply this reference to your project
Use your own project measurements and record how the result affects the material, setup or estimate.
- Name the material, dimension, or cost input that affects the decision.
- Use the reference and related calculator to check the measurement or estimate.
- Test or compare the result before committing final material, time, or client scope.
Try it with your own numbers
Common questions
What is one board foot?
One board foot is a volume equal to a board 1 inch thick, 12 inches wide, and 1 foot long.
What is the board foot formula?
Thickness in inches × width in inches × length in feet ÷ 12 = board feet.
Does board-foot pricing include waste?
No. It measures lumber volume. Add your own allowance for the yield and quality requirements of the project.