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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 how many board feet are in a piece of lumber based on its dimensions. Dividing by 12 converts the cubic inches to board feet.
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 is board foot measurement used instead of other units?
A: Board foot measurement accounts for all three dimensions of lumber, providing a more accurate volume measurement than linear feet or square feet for wood products.
Q2: How do I measure irregularly shaped lumber?
A: For irregular shapes, measure the average width and thickness. For tapered pieces, measure at both ends and use the average.
Q3: Does the calculation work for all types of wood?
A: Yes, the formula works for all wood types, though different species may have different pricing per board foot based on quality and availability.
Q4: How accurate is board foot calculation for estimating projects?
A: It's quite accurate for rectangular pieces. Always add 10-15% extra to account for waste, cutting errors, and wood defects.
Q5: Can I use this calculator for metric measurements?
A: This calculator uses imperial measurements. For metric, you would need to convert to inches and feet first, or use a different formula designed for metric units.