Estimate the Volume of Hardwood Lumber
Board Foot Calculator
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What is a Board Foot?
A board foot is a unit of measurement used to quantify the volume of wood. It is equal to one square foot of wood that is one inch thick. In other words, it takes 12 board feet to equal one cubic foot.
Lumber is often sold in board feet, especially when it is being purchased for construction projects. The most common dimensions for boards are 1×12, 2×4, and 4×4.
To calculate the number of board feet in a piece of lumber, you simply need to multiply the thickness by the width and the length.
For example, a 2×4 that is eight feet long would contain 16 board feet (2x4x8). If you’re ever unsure about how many board feet you need for a project, just consult with your local lumberyard. They’ll be able to help you figure out the right amount.
What Does a Board Foot Calculator Do?
A board foot calculator is a tool that is used to determine the amount of lumber that is needed for a project. The calculator considers the width, thickness, and length of the lumber, resulting in board feet. Lumberyards and builders use this unit of measure, and it allows them to accurately estimate the amount of wood that will be required for a given project.
In addition to helping to determine the amount of lumber needed, a board foot calculator can also be used to estimate the cost of a project. The cost of lumber can vary significantly based on the type of wood and the size of the boards, so using a calculator can help to ensure that you are getting the best price for your materials.
So whether you are building a deck or simply buying some new furniture, a board foot calculator is a valuable tool that can help you to save time and money. Use our Online Board Foot calculator to quickly figure out board feet of the wood for your project, as well as the cost per foot of the wood!
Board Foot vs. Linear Foot
A board foot is a unit of volume measurement used for lumber, where one board foot is equal to the volume of a one-foot board that is one inch thick. A linear foot, on the other hand, is simply a unit of length measurement and is equivalent to 12 inches.
So, when buying lumber by the board foot, you are actually purchasing a certain volume of wood, whereas when buying lumber by the linear foot, you are simply purchasing a certain length of wood. The price of lumber will usually be given in terms of board feet or linear feet, depending on which unit the seller prefers.
When comparison shopping, it’s important to make sure you’re comparing prices on an apples-to-apples basis by either converting board feet to linear feet or vice versa.
That said, due to the difference in units, it’s generally more expensive to purchase lumber by the board foot since you’re essentially paying for more wood.