Board Foot Calculator

How to Calculate Board Feet

Calculating board feet is essential for woodworking projects and lumber purchases. It helps determine the volume of wood and estimate costs accurately.

Board Foot Calculation Formula

The formula for calculating board feet is:

\[BoardFeet = \frac{Thickness (inches) \times Width (inches) \times Length (inches) \times Quantity}{144}\]

Where:

• Thickness = Thickness of the board in inches
• Width = Width of the board in inches
• Length = Length of the board in inches
• Quantity = Number of boards with the same dimensions
• 144 = The number of square inches in a square foot

Calculation Steps

1. Measure the thickness, width, and length of the board in inches
2. Multiply these three measurements together
3. Multiply the result by the quantity of boards
4. Divide the total by 144 to convert cubic inches to board feet

Example Calculation

Let's calculate the board feet for a piece of lumber with the following dimensions:

• Thickness: 2 inches
• Width: 6 inches
• Length: 8 feet (96 inches)
• Quantity: 1

1. Apply the formula: \[BoardFeet = \frac{2 \times 6 \times 96 \times 1}{144}\]
2. Calculate: \[BoardFeet = \frac{1152}{144} = 8 \text{ bd ft}\]

This board contains 8 board feet of lumber.

Board Foot Visualization

This diagram visually represents the 8 board feet calculated in our example. It provides a clear visual comparison of the lumber volume.