Board Foot & Lumber Cost Calculator
Measure lumber volume and budget a purchase using identical-board quantity, waste allowance and your supplier’s price.
Lumber planning
Board feet & purchase estimate
Enter all dimensions in inches, using the supplier’s billed thickness. Quantity is for identical boards. Calculate different sizes separately and add their totals.
Sample species prices · Apple (European)
80 search matches. Your selected species stays selected until you change it.
Built-in prices are undated, illustrative USD samples—not live market prices. The sample midpoint for Apple (European) is $23.50 / board foot. Enter your supplier’s quote above for a usable budget.
Enter valid dimensions, quantity, and waste to see your purchase target.
How it works
Board feet = width × thickness × length (all inches) ÷ 144 × quantity. Purchase target = board feet × (1 + waste allowance ÷ 100). Cost = purchase target × price per board foot.
- Use the supplier’s billed thickness and dimensions. Board feet measure volume, not board count. Different board sizes need separate calculations.
- Sample species prices are undated examples. Enter a supplier quote for a purchase estimate; tax, delivery, rounding and minimum orders are separate.
Buying four matching boards
| Input or step | Example value |
|---|---|
| Billed dimensions | 1 in × 6 in × 96 in |
| Quantity | 4 boards |
| Lumber volume | 1 × 6 × 96 ÷ 144 × 4 = 16 board feet |
| With 15% purchasing allowance | 18.4 board feet |
| At an example $8 per board foot | $147.20 before delivery and tax |
The price is illustrative. Use your supplier’s billed dimensions and current quote; mixed board sizes need separate calculations.
Common questions
Should I enter nominal or actual thickness?
Use the dimensions your supplier bills for the purchase estimate. Use actual measured dimensions when calculating the physical volume of finished stock.
Does adding waste guarantee the parts will fit?
No. The allowance increases the volume budget. Check lengths, widths, defects, grain, and the cut plan before ordering.
Learn the method in the Academy
Follow the matching lesson or workshop reference before applying the result.
Use this in your project
Continue with the next measurement or cost, then keep the assumptions with your quote.
Build a complete design from these measurements
Open a design studio to turn these measurements into a drawing and material list.
How to use WoodWorkCalc · Woodworking lessons · Browse all calculators