1. What is Board Feet?

Board feet is a unit of measurement for the volume of lumber. One board foot equals 144 cubic inches (12" × 12" × 1"), or 1/12 of a cubic foot. It's the standard unit used in the lumber industry in North America.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the board feet formula:

Where:

• Thickness — Measured in inches
• Width — Measured in inches
• Length — Measured in feet

Explanation: The formula converts all dimensions to inches and calculates the volume in board feet (144 cubic inches = 1 board foot).

3. Importance of Board Feet Calculation

Details: Accurate board feet calculation is crucial for lumber pricing, inventory management, and project planning in woodworking and construction.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter thickness and width in inches, length in feet. All values must be positive numbers. The result shows the volume in board feet.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why divide by 12 in the formula?
A: Because 1 board foot equals 144 cubic inches (12" × 12" × 1"), and we're converting length from feet to inches (12 inches per foot).

Q2: How does thickness affect board feet?
A: Thicker boards contain more board feet per linear foot. A 2" thick board has twice the board feet of a 1" thick board of the same width and length.

Q3: What's the difference between board feet and linear feet?
A: Linear feet measures length only, while board feet measures volume (thickness × width × length).

Q4: How do you calculate board feet for multiple pieces?
A: Calculate board feet for one piece, then multiply by the number of identical pieces.

Q5: Are there standard lumber dimensions?
A: Yes, but nominal sizes (like 2×4) are larger than actual sizes (1.5"×3.5"). Always use actual dimensions for accurate calculations.