Board Foot Calculator

Calculate board feet of lumber from dimensions. See cost estimates by wood species.

By Konstantin Iakovlev · Updated April 2026 · Source: HomeAdvisor

in
in
ft
Wood Type

Board Feet per Piece

4.00

Total Board Feet

4.00

Estimated Total Cost

$32.00

Lumber Calculation

Board Feet per Piece4.00 BF
Quantity1 pieces
Total Board Feet4.00 BF
Cost per BF (oak)$8.00
Cost per Piece$32.00
Total Estimated Cost$32.00

Estimated Cost per Board Foot

Pine: $3/BF

Oak: $8/BF

Maple: $7/BF

Walnut: $14/BF

Cherry: $10/BF

Use the Board Foot Calculator above to calculate your results. Enter your values and see instant results — all calculations run in your browser.

Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, financial, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the information you provide and current rates. Always consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for advice specific to your situation.

How It Works

Lumber is sold by the board foot, and getting that count right is what separates an efficient order from an expensive one. With timber prices projected to climb 5-8% in 2026 on the back of global supply chain adjustments and rising demand, a careful estimate is the difference between paying for wood you won't use and running short midway through a build.

Board feet come from a single formula: (Thickness in inches x Width in inches x Length in feet) / 12. A board 1 inch thick, 12 inches wide, and 10 feet long works out to 10 board feet. Because the formula normalizes every dimension to the same standard, it returns a reliable figure regardless of how the stock is sized.

The length input trips up the most people, since it belongs in feet while thickness and width stay in inches, so convert before you enter it. Board foot figures also tend to reflect rough lumber dimensions, which run a touch larger than the finished, planed product. Species and market pricing matter just as much: a board foot of oak might run $5.50 in 2026, while pine could sit around $2.75.

Example: Building a custom bookshelf

  1. 1 Input: You need 8 boards of Red Oak, each 1.5 inches thick, 8 inches wide, and 6 feet long.
  2. 2 Calculation: (1.5 inches x 8 inches x 6 feet) / 12 = 6 board feet per board. For 8 boards, 6 board feet/board * 8 boards = 48 total board feet.
  3. 3 Result: Your project requires 48 board feet of Red Oak.
  4. 4 Context: Given the average 2026 price for Red Oak at $5.50 per board foot, your estimated material cost for the Red Oak would be 48 board feet * $5.50/board foot = $264.00, excluding taxes and shipping.

Source: HomeAdvisor · Last updated: April 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a board foot of lumber?
A board foot is a unit of volume equal to a 1-inch thick board that is 12 inches wide and 12 inches long (144 cubic inches). It is the standard measurement used to price hardwood lumber in the United States.
How do I calculate board feet from dimensions?
Multiply thickness (inches) x width (inches) x length (feet), then divide by 12. For example, a 2" x 6" x 8' board is (2 x 6 x 8) / 12 = 8 board feet.
How much does a board foot of walnut cost in 2026?
Black walnut lumber ranges from $8-15 per board foot for FAS grade in 2026, depending on supplier and region. Cherry runs $5-10, red oak $4-8, and construction-grade pine or poplar $2-5 per board foot.

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