Board Foot Calculator

What Is a Board Foot?

A board foot (bd ft) is a unit of lumber volume equal to a piece 12 inches wide, 12 inches long, and 1 inch thick. It's the standard unit for pricing and ordering hardwood lumber, rough-sawn timber, and some softwood products. The formula is simple: multiply thickness (inches) × width (inches) × length (feet), then divide by 12.

For a 2×6×8 board: (2 × 6 × 8) / 12 = 8 board feet. A 4×4×12 post: (4 × 4 × 12) / 12 = 16 board feet. Use nominal dimensions (what the lumber is called) rather than actual dimensions for ordering purposes, since lumber pricing is based on nominal size.

When Board Feet Matter

Board feet come up most often when ordering hardwood for custom work — flooring, cabinetry, trim, furniture. For standard framing lumber (studs, joists, headers), most suppliers price by the piece or by linear foot, not by board foot. But if you're pricing rough-sawn oak for a mantel, walnut for built-in shelving, or cedar for a feature wall, you'll be working in board feet.

UIR's general contracting and residential remodeling crews regularly source custom hardwood for trim packages, stair treads, and custom built-ins. Contact UIR to discuss custom millwork or framing material estimates for your project in Grayson County.