Board Foot Calculator

Thickness: Width: Length: Number of Pieces:

What is a Board Feet?

A board foot is a unit of measurement used in the lumber industry to quantify the volume of wood. It’s commonly used by sawmill operators, woodworkers, and suppliers to standardize the pricing and sales of wood products.

A board foot is a measure of lumber volume. One board foot is equivalent to a piece of lumber that is:

1 inch thick
12 inches wide
12 inches long

What is Board Foot Calculator?

A board foot calculator is a tool used to calculate the volume of lumber based on its dimensions. It provides a way to quantify the amount of wood in a piece, which is useful for buying, selling, or estimating the cost of lumber.

Board Foot Calculation

A board foot is a measure of lumber volume. It represents a piece of wood that is 1 inch thick, 12 inches wide, and 12 inches long. To calculate the volume of lumber in board feet, you use the following formula:

Formula:

Board feet (\(BF\)) is calculated using the following formula:

\[ BF = \frac{\text{T(inch)} \times \text{W (inch)} \times \text{L(ft)}}{12} \]

Where:

\(\text{Thickness}\) = Thickness of the lumber (in inches)
\(\text{Width}\) = Width of the lumber (in inches)
\(\text{Length}\) = Length of the lumber (in feet)

Example 1:

Consider a piece of lumber with the following dimensions:

Thickness: 2 inches
Width: 8 inches
Length: 10 feet

Step 1: Calculate the Board Feet

Using the formula:

\[ BF = \frac{2 \times 8 \times 10}{12} = \frac{160}{12} \approx 13.33 \text{ board feet} \]

Example 2:

Consider a piece of lumber with the following dimensions:

Thickness: 1 inch
Width: 6 inches
Length: 15 feet

Step 2: Calculate the Board Feet

Using the formula:

\[ BF = \frac{1 \times 6 \times 15}{12} = \frac{90}{12} = 7.5 \text{ board feet} \]

Step 3: Interpretation

The calculated board feet tell you the volume of lumber. For Example 1, it is approximately 13.33 board feet, and for Example 2, it is 7.5 board feet. This helps in estimating the amount of wood needed or the cost of the lumber.

Board Foot Chart

Difference Between Board Foot and Linear Foot

Board Foot

A board foot is a unit of measure for the volume of lumber. It is calculated based on the thickness, width, and length of the lumber. One board foot is equal to 1 square foot of lumber with a thickness of 1 inch.

Calculation formula for board feet:

\[ \text{Board Feet} = \frac{\text{T (inch)} \times \text{W(inches)} \times \text{L(feet)}}{12} \]

Example: If you have a piece of lumber that is 1 inch thick, 6 inches wide, and 10 feet long, the volume in board feet is:

\[ \text{Board Feet} = \frac{1 \times 6 \times 10}{12} = 5 \]

Linear Foot

A linear foot is a unit of measure for the length of lumber. It only measures the length of the wood and does not account for its thickness or width.

Example: If you have a piece of lumber that is 10 feet long, it is 10 linear feet regardless of its thickness and width.

Summary

The key difference is:

Board Foot: Measures volume (thickness, width, and length).
Linear Foot: Measures only length.

FAQs

What is a board foot?

A board foot is a unit of measurement for lumber. It represents a volume of 1 foot long by 1 foot wide by 1 inch thick. It is commonly used in the woodworking and lumber industries to quantify and price lumber.

How do I convert between board feet and cubic feet?

To convert from board feet to cubic feet, divide the number of board feet by 12. Conversely, to convert cubic feet to board feet, multiply the number of cubic feet by 12.

How do I calculate board feet using the calculator?

To calculate board feet:

Enter the thickness, width, and length of the lumber.
Choose the appropriate units for each dimension (inches, feet, etc.).
Enter the number of pieces.
Click “Calculate Board Feet” to get the result.

How accurate is the board foot calculation?

The board foot calculation is based on the dimensions you provide. Ensure that all measurements are entered correctly and in the appropriate units for accurate results.

How much does a board foot of oak weigh?

The weight of a board foot depends on the type of wood. Here are average weights for some common woods:

Oak: Approximately 3.0 to 4.0 pounds per board foot (1.36 to 1.81 kg per board foot)
Maple: Approximately 3.0 to 4.0 pounds per board foot (1.36 to 1.81 kg per board foot)
Cherry: Approximately 2.5 to 3.5 pounds per board foot (1.13 to 1.59 kg per board foot)
Pine: Approximately 2.0 to 2.5 pounds per board foot (0.91 to 1.13 kg per board foot)
Mahogany: Approximately 2.5 to 3.0 pounds per board foot (1.13 to 1.36 kg per board foot)

How Many Board Feet Are There in 100 Square Feet?

To determine the number of board feet in 100 square feet, you need to know the thickness of the lumber. Use the following formula:

Board Feet = Square Feet × Thickness (in inches) / 12

For example, if the lumber is 1 inch thick:

Board Feet = 100 square feet × 1 inch / 12 = 8.33 board feet