What is a Board Foot and Why Should You Care?

If you've ever tried to estimate lumber for a woodworking project and found yourself lost in the numbers, you're not alone. It's a simple calculation that often confuses the most avid woodworkers when they began their journey making sawdust! That's why we at the Knotty Lumber Co built the board foot calculator. This magical board foot calculator was built for our website to make this crucial step fast, accurate, responsive, and beginner (and professional) friendly. Understanding board footage is essential whether you're a contractor, furniture maker, or just a weekend DIYer. After all, buying too much hardwood lumber eats into your budget, while buying too little stalls your project.

Understanding Lumber Measurements: Board Feet vs. Square Feet vs. Linear Feet

A board foot is simply a unit of measurement accounting for volume. One board foot is equivalent to a piece of wood measuring 12" x 12" x 1" thick.

By contrast, square feet only measure surface area. Two boards can have the same square footage but wildly different board footage if one is thicker. That's why calculating board feet is the smarter method when pricing, planning, or purchasing wood. For example, a 6" wide piece, 10' long may not cost much if its 1" thick, but if its 3” thick it is likely a different story!

Then there's the linear foot, which is simply a measure of length. It doesn't consider width or thickness at all. A 10' board is 10 linear feet—whether it's a skinny trim piece or a wide, thick plank.

So what's the right calculation for me?

• Use board feet when pricing and buying lumber—it reflects the true volume of material (before it is surfaced)
• Use square feet when planning surface coverage, like flooring or paneling.
• Use linear feet when measuring trim, molding, or anything sold by length.

How to Use Our Board Foot Calculator to Estimate Your Lumber Requirements

Our board foot calculator is a simple tool that does the heavy lifting for you. Whether you're building a table, a stair tread, or a live edge bar top, you can enter your lumber dimensions and get the total board feet instantly. With this board foot calculator, you can even add multiple pieces of lumber to a tally to find out how many board feet are in 1, 10, or 100 pieces!

Input Parameters in the calculator

To use the calculator, all you need are these numbers:

• Number of boards
• Board Length
• Width
• Thickness
• Price per board foot (optional)

Once entered, the tool will give you the number of board feet.

Get Accurate Results Every Time

The board foot calculator automatically adjusts for unit inputs and works seamlessly for multiple boards, helping you plan for larger builds and bulk orders with ease. Its even dynamic so there is no more waiting typing the same thing in hundreds of times with your phone calculator. It has the build in tally so you can add up multiple different sizes.

Calculating Board Feet for Different Lumber thicknesses

Different woods may be sold at different thicknesses and widths, especially exotic species like purpleheart or wenge. That's where the board footage calculator becomes essential. For example:

• 4/4 lumber = 1" thick (planed to about 7/8")
• 8/4 lumber = 2" thick (planed to 1”7/8)
• Live edge slabs = variable widths, requiring average width estimates.
• Using the linear foot or the square foot measurement isn't enough for woodworking and project quoting. You need volume-based metrics to avoid surprises at checkout.

4/4 Lumber (1")

8/4 Lumber (2")

Side by Side

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the formula for calculating board feet?

The formula is simple: (Length in inches x Width in inches x Thickness in inches) / 144 = Board Feet
Or in feet: (Length in feet x Width in inches x Thickness in inches) / 12 = Board Feet

How many board feet in a cubic foot?

One cubic foot contains 12 board feet.
Why? 12" x 12" x 12" = 1728 cubic inches, and one board foot = 12" x 12" x 1" = 144 cubic inches

What is the difference between board feet and linear feet?

A linear foot measures only the length. It tells you nothing about the width or thickness. Board footage, however, gives you the full volume, which is critical for lumber pricing and cuts.

Understanding the Meaning of One Board Foot Can Go a Long Way

Whether you're buying one board foot for a sample or 500 for a commercial project, knowing exactly what you're getting is key. The more accurate your calculations, the less waste, and the more profitable your build. Believe me. It's taken a long time and a lot of poor calculations to learn the hard lessons and the importance of this calculation.

Why Accurate Board Footage Matters

Inaccurate measurements can lead to:

• Over-ordering and wasted cost
• Under-ordering and project delays
• Miscommunication with suppliers

That's why our Board Foot Calculator simplifies everything.

Buying Lumber Online? This is Essential

If you're shopping from our online lumber shop, our board foot calculator helps you:

• Pick the right amount of hardwood lumber
• Stay within budget
• Ensure fit for your tools and project needs

Simplify Your Workflow

Instead of scribbling math on the back of a receipt, just plug your numbers into our board foot calculator. It's the fastest way to get total board feet with zero guesswork.

Designed for Woodworkers, by Woodworkers

From custom charcuterie boards to commercial millwork, we know what goes into a great project. That's why we built a calculator that:

• Handles multiple boards at once
• Converts units instantly
• Supports clear visuals and dimensions

At The Knotty Lumber Co, we're passionate about providing quality wood products and accurate tools. Want to browse by board foot? Our wood products are clearly labeled for easy reference.

Final Thoughts

When planning your next project, don't leave it to guesswork. Use the board foot calculator to get what you need, when you need it.

Ready to Order?

Visit our online lumber shop and pick from hundreds of hardwood options today.