Board Foot Calculator
One board foot is 144 cubic inches — a 1" × 12" × 12" block. Enter your stock dimensions and quantity, add as many cut-list lines as needed, and get combined board feet, cubic volume, and cost at your price per bf.
The formula
bf = (thickness-in × width-in × length-ft) ÷ 12, then multiply by piece count.
Worked example: ten 2×6 boards at 12 ft (using actual size 1½" × 5½"): (1.5 × 5.5 × 12) ÷ 12 = 8.25 bf each → 82.5 bf total.
Board feet per piece — common sizes
| Nominal size | Actual (in) | bf per 8 ft | bf per 12 ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1×6 | ¾ × 5½ | 2.75 | 4.125 |
| 1×12 | ¾ × 11¼ | 5.63 | 8.44 |
| 2×4 | 1½ × 3½ | 3.50 | 5.25 |
| 2×6 | 1½ × 5½ | 5.50 | 8.25 |
| 2×10 | 1½ × 9¼ | 9.25 | 13.88 |
| 2×12 | 1½ × 11¼ | 11.25 | 16.88 |
Hardwood is tallied by rough quarters (4/4, 8/4…) before milling; enter the rough dimensions as measured.
Frequently asked questions
- Should I use nominal or actual dimensions?
- Match whatever your pricing uses. Softwood framing is sold by nominal size; hardwood by rough board feet actually tallied. Enter the same convention consistently.
- How many board feet in a 2×4?
- A standard 8-ft stud (actual 1½" × 3½") is 3.5 board feet. Ten studs are 35 bf.