Understanding your result
The base batch is the volume of the specified boards. The allowance adds a percentage of that volume for purchasing estimates; it does not create a cutting list or select extra board lengths.
For a decking surface, the Deck Board Calculator counts board rows and whole stock lengths instead of volume.
The formula
One board foot is 144 cubic inches. Length is entered in feet, so the conversion to inches cancels part of that divisor, leaving division by twelve. The volume allowance is applied once to the entire batch before multiplying by price.
Worked example
Ten boards measuring 1 inch by 6 inches by 8 feet contain 4 board feet each, or 40 in total. A 10% volume allowance gives 44 board feet. At 5 per board foot, the estimated volume-based cost is 220.
How to use this calculator
- Confirm which thickness and width the seller uses for billing.
- Enter one board length and the number of identical boards.
- Set extra volume and the quoted price per board foot.
Nominal, rough, and finished sizes
Board-foot billing can use dimensions different from the finished dimensions you measure after surfacing. Confirm the supplier’s convention before comparing prices. This calculator uses exactly the numbers entered; it does not convert a nominal 2 by 4 into a dressed section automatically.
Board feet do not describe usable cuts
Two orders can contain the same volume but have different usefulness for a project. Required lengths, knots, grain selection, saw kerf, and machining allowance can all affect usable yield. Calculate separate batches for different thicknesses or widths. A percentage allowance is suitable for an early quote, but verify actual stock lengths against the final cut list.
Assumptions & limitations
What this calculation assumes
- All boards in the batch use the same dimensions and price basis.
What to keep in mind
- No log-yield rule, grading adjustment, or cutting optimization is included.
Common questions
Is a board foot the same as a linear foot?
No. A linear foot measures length alone. A board foot measures volume, so thickness and width both affect the result.
Why is my lumber invoice different?
Billing dimensions, grade premiums, minimum charges, surfacing fees, and rounding rules can differ. Match the dimensions and pricing convention on the quote.