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Board Feet Formula:
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Board feet is a measurement of lumber volume. One board foot equals 1 foot long × 1 foot wide × 1 inch thick, or its equivalent. It's the standard unit for measuring lumber in North America.
The calculator uses the board feet formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates the volume of lumber in board feet by multiplying the three dimensions and dividing by 12 to convert to the standard board foot measurement.
Details: Accurate board feet calculation is essential for lumber pricing, inventory management, project planning, and ensuring you purchase the correct amount of wood for construction or woodworking projects.
Tips: Enter thickness and width in inches, length in feet. All values must be positive numbers. The calculator will compute the total board feet.
Q1: Why divide by 12 in the formula?
A: We divide by 12 because one board foot is defined as a piece of wood that is 1 foot long, 1 foot wide, and 1 inch thick (12" × 12" × 1" = 144 cubic inches ÷ 12 = 1 board foot).
Q2: How do I measure irregular-shaped lumber?
A: For irregular shapes, measure the average dimensions or break the piece down into regular shapes and calculate each section separately.
Q3: Does board foot calculation account for wood waste?
A: No, this calculation gives you the exact volume. You should add 10-20% extra to account for cutting waste and defects.
Q4: Can I use this calculator for metric measurements?
A: This calculator uses imperial measurements. For metric, you would need to convert to board feet or use cubic meters instead.
Q5: How accurate is board foot pricing?
A: Board foot pricing is the industry standard, but prices vary based on wood species, grade, moisture content, and market conditions.