Board Foot Calculator
Calculate the volumetric board footage of hardwood and softwood lumber based on thickness, width, length, and piece counts.
Calculation Results
Total calculated volumetric board feet of the lumber shipment.
How This Calculator Works
To calculate volumetric board footage of lumber:
- Enter the rough nominal or actual thickness in inches (e.g. 2 inches for a 2x6).
- Enter the width of the boards in inches (e.g. 6 inches).
- Specify the length of the boards (standard is in feet).
- Enter the quantity of boards.
- The calculator determines total board feet (FBM).
Formula & Calculations
A board foot (FBM) is a unit of volume measurement used in the timber industry, representing the volume of a 12" × 12" × 1" board.
The standard formula when length is measured in inches is:
Board Feet = (Thickness in inches × Width in inches × Length in inches × Quantity) / 144
If length is measured in feet, it simplifies to:
Board Feet = (Thickness in inches × Width in inches × Length in feet × Quantity) / 12
Step-by-Step Calculation Examples
Common 2x6 Boards (Five 10-footers)
Calculating volumetric board footage for five pieces of standard 2x6 lumber measuring 10 feet long.
- thickness: 2
- width: 6
- length: 10
- quantity: 5
- board_feet: 50
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a board foot?
A board foot is a specialized unit of volume used for lumber. It is equivalent to a volume of 144 cubic inches, or a single board measuring 12 inches wide, 12 inches long, and 1 inch thick.
How does board feet differ from linear feet?
Linear feet measures only the length of a board, ignoring its width and thickness. Board feet measures the total wood volume (Thickness × Width × Length).
Is board foot calculated using nominal or actual dimensions?
In the commercial timber trade, board foot is calculated using rough nominal (pre-planed) sizes rather than actual dressed (finished) dimensions. E.g. a 2x4 is calculated as 2" × 4", not 1.5" × 3.5".
What does FBM stand for?
FBM stands for "Foot, Board Measure," which is simply the formal industrial term for board feet (e.g. 50 FBM equals 50 board feet).
How do you calculate board footage of a log?
Log board footage is calculated using specialized formulas like the Doyle, Scribner, or International 1/4-inch rules, which estimate the yield of square lumber from a round cylinder log.