Lumber / Timber Calculator

Calculate board feet, linear feet, and total lumber or timber needed for framing and woodworking projects.

Part of:Construction hub
pcs
ft
in
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How to Use This Calculator

How to Use

  1. Enter the number of pieces needed.
  2. Enter the length per piece.
  3. Enter the lumber dimensions (thickness × width).

Tips

  • Board feet = (Thickness × Width × Length) / 12 (inches and feet).
  • Nominal sizes differ from actual sizes: a “2×4” is actually 1.5×3.5 inches.
  • For pricing estimates, use actual dimensions rather than nominal.

Common Questions

What is a board foot?

A board foot is 1 inch thick × 12 inches wide × 12 inches long (144 cubic inches). It’s the standard unit for buying lumber.

How do I convert board feet to linear feet?

Divide total board feet by (thickness × width / 12). For a 2×6, divide by 1 (since 2×6/12 = 1).

What’s the difference between nominal and actual lumber size?

A “2×4” is actually 1.5×3.5 inches. A “2×6” is 1.5×5.5 inches. This is due to drying and planing.

How many board feet are in a 2×4×8?

A 2 × 4 that is 8 ft long contains 5.33 board feet (2 × 4 × 8 ÷ 12). The calculator works this out for any dimensions you enter.

How do I convert linear metres to board feet?

You need the board width and thickness as well as length. The calculator works out board feet from the dimensions you enter.

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