Understanding lumber costs is essential for woodworkers, carpenters, and DIY enthusiasts. Our Cost Per Board Foot Calculator helps you determine exactly how much you're paying for lumber based on dimensions and total price.
Cost Per Board Foot
Cost per board foot is a common way to price lumber in woodworking and construction. A board foot is a unit of volume that represents a piece of wood 12 inches long × 12 inches wide × 1 inch thick.
How Board Foot Calculations Work
1. Board Foot Formula
The standard measurement for lumber volume in North America is board feet (bd ft).
Formula:
Board Feet=12Thickness (in)×Width (in)×Length (ft)
Why divide by 12?
This converts the cubic inches to board feet (1 board foot = 144 cubic inches = 12" × 12" × 1").
2. Cost Per Board Foot Formula
Once you know the board footage, you can calculate the cost efficiency.
Formula:
Cost Per Board Foot=Board FeetTotal Price
Example Calculation
Scenario:
- Wood Type: Oak
- Dimensions: 1" (thickness) × 6" (width) × 8' (length)
- Total Price: $38
Step 1: Calculate Board Feet
121×6×8=4 bd ft
Step 2: Calculate Cost Per Board Foot
438=$9.50 per bd ft
How to Use the Calculator
- Enter dimensions (thickness in inches, width in inches, length in feet)
- Select wood type for price comparison (or enter custom total price)
- Get instant results:
- Board footage
- Cost per board foot
- Comparison to typical prices
FAQs
1. What is a board foot?
A board foot is a unit of measurement for lumber volume. It equals 144 cubic inches, or a piece of wood that is 12 inches long × 12 inches wide × 1 inch thick.
2.Why is cost per board foot important?
Knowing the cost per board foot allows you to estimate project costs accurately, compare lumber prices efficiently, and avoid overpaying for different wood sizes.
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