What is a board foot?

A board foot is a unit of lumber volume equal to a piece 1 inch thick, 12 inches wide, and 12 inches long (144 cubic inches). It is calculated as: Thickness (in) x Width (in) x Length (ft) / 12. This is the standard unit for pricing hardwoods and rough-sawn lumber.

What is a linear foot?

A linear foot simply measures the length of a board regardless of its width or thickness. Dimensional lumber (2x4, 2x6, etc.) is commonly sold by the linear foot since the cross-section is standardized. Enter the length in feet and your price per linear foot to use this mode.

When should I use board feet vs. linear feet?

Use board feet for hardwoods, rough lumber, and any wood sold by volume. Use linear feet for dimensional lumber (framing studs, treated deck boards, molding) where the size is fixed and you only pay for length.

What waste factor should I use?

A 10–15% waste factor is typical for straightforward projects. Add 20–25% for projects with many angled cuts, complex patterns, or low-grade lumber with knots and defects. Leave it at 0% if you have already accounted for waste in your board count.

Does this handle multiple board sizes?

Each row in the calculator handles one board specification. Use the "Add Row" button to add more board sizes and combine them for a project total at the bottom.

Lumber Cost Calculator

Name: Lumber Cost Calculator
Availability: InStock
Author: Nham Vu

Enter board dimensions, quantity, and unit price to instantly calculate total lumber cost in board feet or linear feet.

Lumber Details

Waste Factor

% (extra boards for cuts & defects)

Cost Summary

Total Boards 0

Total Board Feet 0.00 BF

Total Linear Feet 0.00 LF

Waste Boards 0

Estimated Total Cost

$0.00

Board Foot Formula

BF = T(in) × W(in) × L(ft) ÷ 12

T = thickness, W = width, L = length

Summary

Enter board dimensions, quantity, and unit price to instantly calculate total lumber cost in board feet or linear feet.

How it works

Select your preferred pricing unit: board foot or linear foot.
Enter the board dimensions: thickness (inches), width (inches), and length (feet).
Specify the number of boards needed for your project.
Enter the price per board foot or linear foot from your supplier.
The calculator instantly shows board feet per board, total board feet, and total cost.
Optionally add a waste factor percentage to account for cuts and defects.

Use cases

Estimating lumber costs before starting a woodworking project.
Comparing prices between different lumber yards.
Calculating material budgets for decking, framing, or cabinetry.
Determining how many boards to purchase for a given project area.
Accounting for waste when planning cuts and layouts.
Converting between board-foot and linear-foot pricing.
Budgeting for renovation and construction projects.
Teaching students how lumber is priced and measured.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: 2026-05-23 · Reviewed by Nham Vu