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Board Feet Formula:
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Board feet is a measurement of lumber volume commonly used in North America. One board foot equals 1 foot long × 1 foot wide × 1 inch thick, or its equivalent.
The calculator uses the board feet formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates the volume of lumber in board feet by multiplying the three dimensions and dividing by 12 to convert to the standard board foot measurement.
Details: Accurate board feet calculation is essential for lumber pricing, inventory management, project planning, and ensuring you purchase the correct amount of wood for construction or woodworking projects.
Tips: Enter thickness and width in inches, length in feet. All values must be positive numbers. The calculator will compute the board footage of your lumber.
Q1: Why divide by 12 in the formula?
A: We divide by 12 because one board foot equals 144 cubic inches (12" × 12" × 1"), and the formula (T × W × L) gives us cubic inches when length is converted to inches.
Q2: How do I measure lumber for board feet calculation?
A: Measure thickness and width in inches at the smallest cross-section, and length in feet. For irregular pieces, use average measurements.
Q3: Does this work for metric measurements?
A: This calculator uses imperial measurements. For metric, you would need to convert to cubic meters or use a different formula.
Q4: How accurate is board feet calculation?
A: The calculation is mathematically precise, but actual lumber volume may vary slightly due to milling variations, moisture content, and other factors.
Q5: Can I calculate board feet for multiple pieces?
A: For multiple identical pieces, calculate board feet for one piece and multiply by the quantity. For different pieces, calculate each separately and sum the results.