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What is a board foot?

A board foot (BF) is the standard unit of measurement for lumber in the U.S., representing a volume of 1 foot (length) × 1 foot (width) × 1 inch (thickness). The formula for calculating board feet is:

Board Feet (BF)=thickness (in)×width (in)×length (ft)12\text{Board Feet (BF)} = \frac{\text{thickness (in)} \times \text{width (in)} \times \text{length (ft)}}{12}

For example, a 2×6×10 ft board has a volume of:

2×6×1012=10 BF\frac{2 \times 6 \times 10}{12} = 10 \, \text{BF}

Key formulas

  1. Board feet per piece:
BFpiece=thickness (in)×width (in)×length (ft)12\text{BF}_{\text{piece}} = \frac{\text{thickness (in)} \times \text{width (in)} \times \text{length (ft)}}{12}
  1. Total cost:
Cost=(Total BF1000)×Price per 1000 BF (MBF)\text{Cost} = \left(\frac{\text{Total BF}}{1000}\right) \times \text{Price per 1000 BF (MBF)}
  1. Total weight:
Weight (lbs)=Total BF×density (lbs/ft³)12\text{Weight (lbs)} = \text{Total BF} \times \frac{\text{density (lbs/ft³)}}{12}

(Density values vary by wood species; 1 BF = 1/12 ft³)

Examples

Example 1: 2×6×20 ft (Pine)

  • Board feet per piece: 2×6×2012=20 BF\frac{2 \times 6 \times 20}{12} = 20 \, \text{BF}
  • Pieces in 1000 BF: 100020=50 pieces\frac{1000}{20} = 50 \, \text{pieces}
  • Cost at 500 USD/MBF: (201000)×500=10 USD per piece\left(\frac{20}{1000}\right) \times 500 = 10 \, \text{USD per piece}
  • Weight: 20×32.512=54.17 lbs20 \times \frac{32.5}{12} = 54.17 \, \text{lbs}

Example 2: 1×4×8 ft (Oak)

  • Board feet per piece:
1×4×812≈2.67 BF\frac{1 \times 4 \times 8}{12} \approx 2.67 \, \text{BF}
  • Total board feet:
2.67×75=200 BF2.67 \times 75 = 200 \, \text{BF}
  • Total cost:
(2001000)×600=120 USD\left(\frac{200}{1000}\right) \times 600 = 120 \, \text{USD}
  • Weight:
200×46.812=780 lbs200 \times \frac{46.8}{12} = 780 \, \text{lbs}

Table: Common board sizes & quantities

Dimensions (in×in×ft)Board Feet per PiecePieces per 1000 BF
2×4×85.33~188
2×6×1212~83
1×8×106.67~150
4×4×810.67~94

Wood density (lbs/ft³)

SpeciesDensity
Pine32.5
Oak46.8
Maple44
Cedar23
Walnut38

It’s important to note that wood density varies by species, moisture content (often specified for wood with a moisture content of 12–15%), and geographic location. For example, oak density can range from 43 to 50.6 lbs/ft³. In our calculator, you can use your own values for wood density.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many 2×6×20 boards are in 1000 board feet?

Using the formula:

10002×6×2012=100020=50 pieces.\frac{1000}{\frac{2 \times 6 \times 20}{12}} = \frac{1000}{20} = 50 \, \text{pieces}.

What is the weight of 100 BF of oak lumber?

Oak density = 45 lbs/ft³.
Total weight:

100×4512=375 lbs.100 \times \frac{45}{12} = 375 \, \text{lbs}.

How to calculate cost for 75 pieces of 2×4×8 ft lumber at $600/MBF?

  1. BF per piece:
2×4×812≈5.33 BF.\frac{2 \times 4 \times 8}{12} \approx 5.33 \, \text{BF}.
  1. Total BF:
5.33×75=400 BF.5.33 \times 75 = 400 \, \text{BF}.
  1. Total cost:
(4001000)×600=$240.\left(\frac{400}{1000}\right) \times 600 = \$240.

How many board feet are in a 1×12×10 ft plank?

1×12×1012=10 BF.\frac{1 \times 12 \times 10}{12} = 10 \, \text{BF}.

What is the volume of 30 pieces of 4×4×8 ft lumber?

BF per piece:

4×4×812≈10.67 BF.\frac{4 \times 4 \times 8}{12} \approx 10.67 \, \text{BF}.

Total BF:

10.67×30=320 BF.10.67 \times 30 = 320 \, \text{BF}.

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