Forestry and sawmills
Log volume and mixed lumber tally
Estimate log solid volume from end diameters or tally mixed rectangular lumber dimensions.
Your inputs
Complete the fields for your selected method. Zero means intentionally zero, not unknown. Currency selection labels amounts; it does not convert exchange rates.
How this calculation works
log volume = length × average(end cross-sectional areas); board feet = sum(thickness(in) × width(in) × length(ft) × pieces/12)
Log estimate assumes the end-area method and can be biased for irregular or strongly tapered logs; no species grade, hollow deduction or log rule is inferred. For lumber, confirm whether the seller uses nominal, rough or actual dimensions. Physical volume requires actual dimensions. Use your own records for the same scope and period. Example figures are illustrative, not industry benchmarks. Results exclude income taxes and any cost you have not entered. Check the result before pricing work or committing resources.
What information do I need?
Use records for the same job, equipment or accounting period. Only the fields for your selected entry method are required. An unknown amount is not zero.
Input definitions and where to find them
- Material measurement method: Choose the entry method matching the information you have. Only its active inputs are required.
- Measured log pieces: Enter matching rows from your records; add or remove rows as needed. Used with: Log end diameters and length.
- Small-end diameter inside bark (in): Use measured dimensions or quantities and select their actual units. Do not mix dry and wet weight or capacity and actual consumption.
- Large-end diameter inside bark (in): Use measured dimensions or quantities and select their actual units. Do not mix dry and wet weight or capacity and actual consumption.
- Log length (ft): Use measured dimensions or quantities and select their actual units. Do not mix dry and wet weight or capacity and actual consumption.
- Matching logs (logs): Use the matching measured quantity, time log, schedule or clearly stated estimate. Zero means intentionally none; an unknown amount is not zero.
- Rectangular lumber tally: Enter matching rows from your records; add or remove rows as needed. Used with: Mixed rectangular lumber sizes.
- Thickness on chosen measurement basis (in): Use the matching measured quantity, time log, schedule or clearly stated estimate. Zero means intentionally none; an unknown amount is not zero.
- Width on same basis (in): Use the matching measured quantity, time log, schedule or clearly stated estimate. Zero means intentionally none; an unknown amount is not zero.
- Length per board (ft): Use the matching measured quantity, time log, schedule or clearly stated estimate. Zero means intentionally none; an unknown amount is not zero.
- Boards in this line (boards): Use the matching measured quantity, time log, schedule or clearly stated estimate. Zero means intentionally none; an unknown amount is not zero.
Use the Where to find this value controls beside the inputs for available work-it-out helpers. Estimates remain your assumptions; a helper does not verify the source figures.
Worked example
Example amounts use US dollars (USD).
Example answer: Estimated solid log volume is 14.42 ft³ for the illustrative inputs below.
Example inputs
- Material measurement method: Log end diameters and length
- Measured log pieces
- Small-end diameter inside bark: 7.874015748031 in
- Large-end diameter inside bark: 11.811023622047 in
- Log length: 13.123359580052 ft
- Matching logs: 2 logs
- Estimated solid log volume
- 14.42 ft³
- Logs tallied
- 2 logs
- Smalian end-area arithmetic estimates gross solid volume, not merchantable board-foot yield or defect-adjusted log scale.
These illustrative values are not recommended rates or industry averages. Replace every example input with your own figures.
Use the result well
Estimate log solid volume from end diameters or tally mixed rectangular lumber dimensions. Inputs come from your own records and stated assumptions; no rates or legal limits are looked up.
Keep inputs on the same scope and time basis. Calculations retain precision internally; displayed values generally round to two decimal places, with extra precision for very small values and whole-unit rounding where required. Economic comparisons describe your supplied assumptions and do not guarantee future results.
This tool provides business arithmetic. It does not approve engineering designs, establish legal or tax treatment, select equipment or certify safe operating conditions.