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Board Foot Formula:
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A board foot is a unit of measurement for the volume of lumber. One board foot equals 1 foot long × 1 foot wide × 1 inch thick (or equivalent volume). It's commonly used in forestry and woodworking to quantify lumber.
The calculator uses the standard log rule formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula approximates the volume of usable lumber that can be obtained from a log, accounting for the taper and sawing losses.
Details: Accurate board foot calculation is essential for lumber pricing, inventory management, and sustainable forestry practices. It helps determine the value of standing timber and harvested logs.
Tips: Measure the small-end diameter inside the bark (in inches) and the length of the log (in feet). Enter these values to calculate board feet. All values must be positive numbers.
Q1: Why divide by 16 in the formula?
A: The divisor 16 accounts for the standard saw kerf (width of the saw cut) and other milling losses when converting logs to lumber.
Q2: How accurate is this calculation?
A: This is a simplified formula. For more precise measurements, professional log scales like Doyle or Scribner may be used.
Q3: Does this work for all tree species?
A: The formula works for most species, but actual yield may vary based on wood density and log quality.
Q4: Should I measure diameter inside or outside bark?
A: For accurate calculations, measure inside bark (after removing bark thickness).
Q5: How does log taper affect the calculation?
A: This formula uses small-end diameter which automatically accounts for some taper. For very tapered logs, professional scaling may be needed.