Board Foot Calculator
Calculate board feet from your lumber dimensions, estimate project costs, and reference our conversion tables. An essential tool for planning any reclaimed wood project.
Calculate Board Feet
Enter your lumber dimensions below. Board feet are calculated using the nominal dimensions (the name of the board, not the actual planed size).
See pricing guide below for typical reclaimed lumber prices.
Formula
Board Feet = (T" x W" x L') / 12
Where T = thickness in inches, W = width in inches, and L = length in feet. This is equivalent to (T x W x L) / 144 when all measurements are in inches.
Calculation Results
2" x 6" x 8'
1152 cu in
Prices are estimates. Contact us for exact quotes on your project.
Linear Feet to Board Feet Conversion
Quick reference for converting linear feet to board feet across common lumber sizes. Board feet are calculated using nominal dimensions.
| Nominal Size | LF per Board Foot | BF per Linear Foot | BF in 8' Board | BF in 10' Board | BF in 12' Board |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 x 4 | 3.00 | 0.33 | 2.67 | 3.33 | 4.00 |
| 1 x 6 | 2.00 | 0.50 | 4.00 | 5.00 | 6.00 |
| 1 x 8 | 1.50 | 0.67 | 5.33 | 6.67 | 8.00 |
| 1 x 10 | 1.20 | 0.83 | 6.67 | 8.33 | 10.00 |
| 1 x 12 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 8.00 | 10.00 | 12.00 |
| 2 x 4 | 1.50 | 0.67 | 5.33 | 6.67 | 8.00 |
| 2 x 6 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 8.00 | 10.00 | 12.00 |
| 2 x 8 | 0.75 | 1.33 | 10.67 | 13.33 | 16.00 |
| 2 x 10 | 0.60 | 1.67 | 13.33 | 16.67 | 20.00 |
| 2 x 12 | 0.50 | 2.00 | 16.00 | 20.00 | 24.00 |
| 4 x 4 | 0.75 | 1.33 | 10.67 | 13.33 | 16.00 |
| 6 x 6 | 0.33 | 3.00 | 24.00 | 30.00 | 36.00 |
| 8 x 8 | 0.19 | 5.33 | 42.67 | 53.33 | 64.00 |
Reclaimed Lumber Price Guide
Typical pricing ranges for reclaimed lumber at Lumber Minneapolis. Prices vary based on species, grade, dimensions, and availability. Use these ranges with the calculator above to estimate your project cost.
| Material | Price Range | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reclaimed Softwood (Pine, Fir, Hemlock) | $4.00 - $8.00 | per BF | Dimensional boards, framing grade |
| Reclaimed Hardwood (Oak, Maple) | $7.00 - $14.00 | per BF | Grade dependent; premium for wide boards |
| Reclaimed Heart Pine / Longleaf | $10.00 - $18.00 | per BF | Highly sought; limited availability |
| Reclaimed American Chestnut | $15.00 - $30.00 | per BF | Rare species; pricing varies widely |
| Reclaimed Beams (Softwood) | $6.00 - $12.00 | per BF | Size and condition dependent |
| Reclaimed Beams (Hardwood) | $10.00 - $20.00 | per BF | Premium for hand-hewn, large sizes |
| Hand-Hewn Timbers | $14.00 - $25.00 | per BF | Premium for clean, long lengths |
| Reclaimed Flooring (Finished) | $8.00 - $16.00 | per sq ft | Tongue-and-groove, sanded, ready to install |
* Prices are approximate and subject to change based on market conditions and inventory. Volume discounts available for orders over 500 board feet. Contact us for a current quote.
How Board Foot Measurement Works
The Board Foot Defined
A board foot (BF) is a unit of volume equal to 144 cubic inches. Picture a board that is 1 inch thick, 12 inches wide, and 12 inches long (1 foot). That is exactly 1 board foot.
Any combination of dimensions that equals 144 cubic inches is also 1 board foot. For example: a 2" x 6" x 12" piece is also 1 board foot (2 x 6 x 12 = 144).
When to Use Board Feet
Board feet are the standard pricing unit for hardwood lumber, reclaimed lumber, and specialty woods. They are used when the value of wood depends on its volume, not just its length or area.
Softwood framing lumber (2x4s, 2x6s, etc.) is often priced per linear foot or per piece instead. At Lumber Minneapolis, we price most reclaimed hardwood and beams per board foot, and standard dimensional stock per linear foot.
Nominal vs Actual in Calculations
Board foot calculations in the lumber industry use nominal dimensions, not actual. When you buy a 2x6, you are charged for the volume of a 2" x 6" piece, even though the actual board measures 1.5" x 5.5".
This is important for reclaimed lumber: if you have a full-dimension vintage 2x6 that actually measures 2" x 6", you are getting more wood per board foot than you would with a modern board. It is one reason reclaimed lumber can be an excellent value.
Calculating for Irregular Pieces
Reclaimed lumber is not always perfectly straight or uniform. For tapered or irregular pieces (like hand-hewn beams), measure the average width and thickness at several points along the length.
For slabs or live-edge boards, measure the width at the narrowest point and the widest point, then average them. Always round to the nearest 1/4 inch for thickness and 1 inch for width.
Board Foot Calculation Examples
| Description | Dimensions | Calculation | Board Feet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single 2x4, 8 feet long | 2" x 4" x 8' | (2 x 4 x 8) / 12 | 5.33 BF |
| Single 1x6, 10 feet long | 1" x 6" x 10' | (1 x 6 x 10) / 12 | 5.00 BF |
| 6x6 beam, 12 feet long | 6" x 6" x 12' | (6 x 6 x 12) / 12 | 36.00 BF |
| 8x10 beam, 16 feet long | 8" x 10" x 16' | (8 x 10 x 16) / 12 | 106.67 BF |
| 10 pieces of 2x6, 12 feet | 2" x 6" x 12' x 10 | (2 x 6 x 12 x 10) / 12 | 120.00 BF |
| 5/4 decking board, 5.5" x 12' | 1.25" x 5.5" x 12' | (1.25 x 5.5 x 12) / 12 | 6.88 BF |
| Live-edge slab, 2" x avg 18" x 6' | 2" x 18" x 6' | (2 x 18 x 6) / 12 | 18.00 BF |