Lumber Board Foot and Linear Foot Calculator
Total board feet, cubic volume, linear feet, pieces, waste, and editable cost for multiple lumber sizes.
How to use the lumber calculator
- Measure the actual project. Break irregular work into separate sections and record finished dimensions consistently.
- Enter the core measurements. The quick view focuses on project geometry; add or subtract sections where the calculator supports multiple areas.
- Review purchasing assumptions. Open Advanced inputs to replace example prices, waste, coverage, density, pack size, minimum order, or delivery assumptions with current project information.
- Calculate and verify. Review the formula, limitations, whole-unit rounding, product instructions, and supplier requirements before purchasing.
Key inputs covered: Waste allowance, Example price, Nominal thickness, Nominal width, Board length, Pieces.
Result coverage: The lumber calculator reports 6 separate quantities so the primary estimate and its supporting purchase or planning values can be checked together.
How the estimate works
Board feet = nominal thickness in inches × nominal width in inches × length in feet ÷ 12 × quantity; waste is applied after groups are totaled.
Ten nominal 2 × 6 boards at 8 ft each contain 80 board feet before waste.
Assumptions, rounding, and limitations
Dimensions are treated as finished measurements. Only deductions and allowances entered above are included. Decimal measurements display to two places; purchase quantities round up when a whole container or piece is required.
- Board-foot pricing commonly uses nominal dimensions; confirm the supplier's pricing convention.
- Actual surfaced dimensions are smaller than nominal dimensions and should be used for layout calculations.
- Grade, species, moisture, treatment, delivery, and tax are not included.
Sources and review
These references support unit conversions and selected planning assumptions. Product instructions and local requirements control the actual project.
Last reviewed: 2026-10-09
Editorial process
BuildPlanCalc publishes the formula, editable assumptions, limitations, and supporting references so the estimate can be checked rather than treated as a black box. See the calculation and review methodology, or report a correction.
Frequently asked questions
Are the results exact?
No. Results are planning estimates based on the dimensions and assumptions entered. Confirm product coverage, site conditions, and ordering rules with the supplier.