Board Foot Price Calculator
When planning any woodworking or construction project, accurately estimating the cost of lumber is crucial. Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast, contractor, or cabinetmaker, knowing how much wood you need—and how much it will cost—is essential for budgeting and material planning. That’s where our Board Foot Calculator comes in.
This free online tool simplifies the process of calculating either the price per board foot or the total cost of lumber based on your input dimensions. It also provides an optional market price comparison based on wood species and grade, helping you determine if you’re getting a fair deal.
What Is a Board Foot?
A board foot is a unit of volume used in the lumber industry to measure wood. One board foot equals:
1 inch thick × 12 inches wide × 12 inches long
It’s a common standard for pricing hardwoods and is critical for calculating wood needed in furniture-making, flooring, cabinetry, and general construction.
Features of the Board Foot Calculator Tool
- Two Modes of Calculation:
- Price per Board Foot: Enter wood dimensions and total cost to determine the cost per board foot.
- Total Price: Enter total board feet and cost per board foot to get the final cost.
- Custom Input:
- Input thickness, width, and length with adjustable units (inches or feet).
- Add multiple boards and quantities.
- Optional selection of wood species and grade for market comparison.
- Detailed Breakdown:
- Results include individual board volume and cost breakdown.
- Comparison with market averages for smarter purchasing decisions.
How to Use the Tool (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Choose Your Calculation Type
- Use the dropdown labeled “Calculation Type.”
- Select:
- “Calculate Price per Board Foot” if you know the total cost and need to calculate unit pricing.
- “Calculate Total Price from Board Feet” if you know the amount of wood and price per board foot.
Step 2: Enter Board Dimensions or Total Volume
- If calculating price per board foot:
- Enter thickness, width, and length for each board.
- Choose appropriate units (inches or feet).
- Enter quantity for each type of board.
- Add more boards using the “Add Another Board” button.
- If calculating total price:
- Enter the total board feet and price per board foot.
Step 3: Optional Enhancements
- Select wood species and grade to receive a comparison with industry market rates.
Step 4: Click “Calculate”
- Results will display:
- Total board feet
- Price per board foot or total cost
- A detailed breakdown of board calculations
- Market price comparison (if species/grade selected)
Example 1: Calculating Price per Board Foot
Let’s say you purchased three boards:
- 1 inch thick, 6 inches wide, 8 feet long
- Quantity: 3
- Total cost: $50
After inputting the dimensions and clicking “Calculate,” the tool might show:
- Total Board Feet: 12
- Price per Board Foot: $4.17
- If you selected “oak” and “1 Common,” a market price comparison might indicate your rate is competitive.
Example 2: Calculating Total Price
You need:
- 30 board feet of maple
- Market price is around $6.75 per board foot
Enter:
- Total Board Feet: 30
- Price per Board Foot: $6.75
Click “Calculate” to find:
- Total Price: $202.50
Compare this to your supplier’s quote to see if you’re getting a good deal.
Use Cases for the Board Foot Calculator
- Woodworking and Cabinetmaking – Optimize your budget and avoid overbuying.
- Lumber Resellers – Validate or update your pricing models.
- Construction Estimation – Provide clients with accurate bids.
- Educational Use – Teach students how wood volume and pricing is calculated.
- Home Renovations – DIYers can plan flooring, paneling, or shelving costs.
15+ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is a board foot?
A board foot is a measurement of lumber volume equal to 1″ × 12″ × 12″.
2. What does the tool calculate?
It calculates either the price per board foot or the total price based on board dimensions or total volume.
3. Can I enter dimensions in feet or inches?
Yes. The tool supports both inches and feet for width and length, and fractions for thickness.
4. What happens if I enter multiple boards?
The calculator adds all boards together and gives a combined total in board feet.
5. What if I only know total board feet?
Use the “Calculate Total Price from Board Feet” option and enter the total board feet manually.
6. Is this calculator only for hardwoods?
No, it’s suitable for both hardwood and softwood species.
7. What if my thickness is a fraction?
Select “fraction” under thickness unit and enter decimal equivalents (e.g., 0.75 for ¾”).
8. Is the wood species selection required?
No. It’s optional, but helpful for market comparisons.
9. How accurate is the market comparison?
The tool provides approximate market prices, which are useful for reference but may vary by location and vendor.
10. Can I use this calculator on my phone?
Yes, the form is mobile-friendly and fully functional on smartphones and tablets.
11. How do I reset the calculator?
Click the “Reset” button to clear all inputs and start fresh.
12. Is there a limit to how many boards I can add?
No hard limit, but adding too many may impact readability on smaller screens.
13. What units does the calculator use?
The calculator uses inches, feet, and board feet, converting internally as needed.
14. Can I save the results?
Currently, the tool does not have a save feature. You can copy and paste the results manually.
15. Is the calculator free to use?
Yes, it’s 100% free and available directly from your browser.
16. Does the species affect board foot calculations?
No, species only affects the market comparison section. Board foot calculations are based on dimensions alone.
17. Why divide by 12 in the formula?
Dividing by 12 converts the width in inches into feet for consistent volume calculation.
18. What if I enter invalid data?
The calculator will prompt you to correct any missing or invalid entries before processing.
Start Calculating with Confidence
Our Board Foot Calculator takes the guesswork out of lumber pricing and volume estimation. With its easy-to-use interface, real-time calculations, and optional market price guidance, you can shop smarter, plan better, and budget accurately.
👉 Try it now on our website and get instant results for your next woodworking or construction project!