Board Foot Calculator
Precisely calculate lumber volume and costs
How to calculate board feet
Formula: (Length × Width × Thickness) ÷ 144 = Board Feet (when using inches)
Common Lumber Sizes
The Total Cost feature in the board foot calculator helps you estimate the complete expense for your lumber purchase, accounting for both the wood volume and project-specific factors. Here's how it works:
What Total Cost Represents:
Material Cost Calculation - Estimates the complete price for all lumber needed
Waste Inclusion - Factors in extra material needed for cutting mistakes/defects
Project Budgeting - Helps plan expenses before purchasing materials
How It's Calculated:
Calculate Single Board Volume
(Length × Width × Thickness) ÷ 144 = Board Feet (BF)Multiply by Quantity
Board Feet × Number of Boards = Total Board FeetAdd Waste Percentage
Total Board Feet × (1 + (Waste% ÷ 100)) = Total Needed BFCalculate Final Cost
Total Needed BF × Price Per BF = Total Cost
Practical Example:
Let's say you're building shelves with these specifications:
Dimensions: 6ft (length) × 8in (width) × 1in (thickness)
Quantity: 5 boards
Waste Factor: 15% (typical for complex cuts)
Price: $3.50 per board foot
Calculation:
Convert all to inches: 72" × 8" × 1" = 576 cubic inches
576 ÷ 144 = 4 BF per board
4 BF × 5 boards = 20 BF total
Add 15% waste: 20 × 1.15 = 23 BF needed
23 BF × $3.50 = $80.50 Total Cost
Key Features in the Calculator:
Real-Time Adjustment: Changes instantly when you modify any value
Waste Slider: Visually adjust from 0-30% (default 10%)
Price Field: Enter your local lumber costs
Detailed Breakdown: Shows all intermediate calculations
When to Use This Feature:
Comparing lumber prices between suppliers
Budgeting for entire projects
Determining cost difference between wood species
Planning multiple projects with shared materials
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