Board Foot Calculator
Convert lumber dimensions and piece count into board feet — in imperial or metric.
Enter your values and calculate to see the result.
Formula used
board feet per piece = (thickness × width × length) / 12
total board feet = board feet per piece × pieces
(thickness and width in inches, length in feet;
metric is converted to that base first)
volume (m³) = volume (ft³) × 0.0283168
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Worked example
Board: 2 in thick × 6 in wide × 8 ft long, 1 piece
Per piece: (2 × 6 × 8) / 12 = 8 bd ft
10 pieces: 8 × 10 = 80 bd ft (about 0.189 m³)
Frequently asked questions
What is a board foot?
A board foot is a unit of lumber volume equal to a piece 1 foot long, 1 foot wide, and 1 inch thick (144 cubic inches). It is how sawmills and hardwood dealers price rough and dimensional lumber, so you buy by volume rather than by length.
Can I mix imperial and metric dimensions?
No — pick one system with the unit toggle. The board foot calculator uses imperial (inches and feet) or metric (centimetres and metres) consistently across all fields, and converts your entered numbers in place when you switch. Mixing systems within one board would misstate the volume.
Does this include saw kerf or planing loss?
No. It computes the nominal board-foot volume from the dimensions you enter. If you are resawing or surfacing rough stock, order a little extra to cover the material removed by the blade and planer.