A board foot is the standard unit for measuring and pricing hardwood lumber, equal to a piece 1 inch thick, 12 inches wide, and 1 foot long (144 cubic inches). Use this calculator to find board footage from any lumber dimensions, build a multi-board cut list, and estimate total project costs based on price per board foot.
Calculate Board Feet
Common Hardwood Prices (per board foot)
| Species | Price Range | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Poplar | $3 – $5 | Painted furniture, drawers, utility |
| Soft Maple | $4 – $7 | Cabinets, turning, general woodworking |
| Red Oak | $5 – $8 | Furniture, flooring, cabinets |
| White Oak | $6 – $10 | Outdoor furniture, bourbon barrels, boats |
| Hard Maple | $6 – $9 | Cutting boards, workbenches, flooring |
| Cherry | $7 – $10 | Fine furniture, cabinets, trim |
| Ash | $5 – $8 | Tool handles, baseball bats, furniture |
| Walnut | $8 – $14 | Fine furniture, gunstocks, accents |
| Mahogany | $10 – $18 | Boats, high-end furniture, musical instruments |
| Teak | $15 – $30 | Outdoor furniture, boat decks, shower benches |
Prices are approximate U.S. retail ranges for 4/4 lumber and vary by region, grade, and supplier.
How to Use the Board Foot Calculator
Buying hardwood lumber without calculating board footage first leads to wasted money and surprise costs at the lumber yard. Our free board foot calculator gives you accurate volume and cost estimates in seconds, so you can budget your woodworking projects with confidence.
Step 1: Select Thickness
Use the preset buttons for standard quarter notations: 4/4 (1 inch), 5/4 (1.25 inches), 6/4 (1.5 inches), or 8/4 (2 inches). These are the most common hardwood thicknesses you will find at a lumber dealer. You can also type any custom thickness directly into the input field.
Step 2: Enter Width and Length
Enter the board width in inches and the length in feet. Click the length unit toggle to switch between feet and inches if your measurements are in inches. The calculator applies the standard formula: board feet = (thickness x width x length in feet) / 12. Results update instantly as you type.
Step 3: Set Quantity and Price
Enter the number of identical boards you plan to buy. If you know the price per board foot for your chosen species, enter it to get an instant cost estimate. Check the hardwood price reference table for typical ranges by species.
Step 4: Add Waste Factor
Select a waste percentage to account for defects, saw kerf, jointing, planing, and mistakes. Most woodworkers use 15-20% for standard projects and 25-30% for complex builds with many angled or curved cuts. The calculator shows both exact and adjusted totals.
Step 5: Build a Board List
Click Add Board to save each lumber item and build a running total. This is especially useful when your project requires several different sizes and species. Each item shows its individual board footage and cost. The grand total at the bottom sums everything, including the waste adjustment. Remove individual items with the delete button, or click Clear All to start over.
Understanding Board Feet
One board foot equals 144 cubic inches of wood. It is the standard unit lumber yards use to price rough-sawn hardwoods. A board that is 1 inch thick, 6 inches wide, and 8 feet long contains exactly 4 board feet. Thicker stock costs more per piece because there is more wood: an 8/4 board has twice the board footage of a 4/4 board with the same width and length.
FAQ
Is this board foot calculator free?
Yes, the board foot calculator is completely free with no limits, no signup, and no account required. Calculate as many boards as you need. All calculations run locally in your browser.
Is my data private and secure?
Absolutely. Everything runs entirely in your browser. Your lumber dimensions, quantities, and cost estimates are never sent to any server. No data ever leaves your device.
What is a board foot and how is it calculated?
A board foot is a unit of volume equal to 144 cubic inches, or a piece of lumber 1 inch thick, 12 inches wide, and 1 foot long. The formula is: board feet = (thickness in inches x width in inches x length in feet) / 12.
What do 4/4, 5/4, 6/4, and 8/4 mean in lumber?
These are quarter notations used for rough-sawn hardwood lumber. The number represents thickness in quarter inches: 4/4 means 4 quarter inches (1 inch thick), 5/4 means 1.25 inches, 6/4 means 1.5 inches, and 8/4 means 2 inches thick.
How much does hardwood cost per board foot?
Hardwood prices vary by species and region. Common ranges are: poplar $3-5, soft maple $4-7, red oak $5-8, hard maple $6-9, cherry $7-10, and walnut $8-14 per board foot. Exotic species can cost significantly more.
Do I use nominal or actual dimensions for board feet?
For rough-sawn hardwood lumber (sold by the board foot), use the actual rough thickness. For dimensioned softwood lumber (like 2x4s), lumber yards typically price per piece rather than per board foot. This calculator uses the dimensions you enter directly.
How do I account for waste when buying lumber?
Most woodworkers add 15-25% extra to their board foot estimate to account for defects, saw kerf, jointing, planing, and mistakes. For complex projects with many angled cuts, consider adding up to 30% waste factor.
Can I calculate board feet for multiple boards at once?
Yes. Use the Add Board button to build a running list of different lumber sizes. The calculator totals the board feet and estimated cost across all items. You can remove individual boards or clear the entire list.