Cabinetmaking and woodworking
Lumber board feet and purchase cost
Convert supplied board dimensions into board feet, actual solid cubic feet and cost on a chosen board-foot price basis.
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
board feet = thickness(in) × width(in) × length(ft) × pieces /12; solid cubic feet = board feet/12
Confirm whether the seller bills nominal, rough or actual dimensions, then enter that same basis. Solid physical volume is accurate only with actual rectangular dimensions. This does not apply log-scaling rules, grade allowances, kerf or automatic waste. 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
- Thickness on your agreed 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 the same 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.
- 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 lot (boards): Use the matching measured quantity, time log, schedule or clearly stated estimate. Zero means intentionally none; an unknown amount is not zero.
- Quoted price per board foot on same basis (selected currency): Use a supplier quote, invoice, payroll record or allocated cost for the exact job or period named here. Include this amount only once.
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: Board feet on entered dimensions is 40.00 board ft for the illustrative inputs below.
Example inputs
- Thickness on your agreed measurement basis: 1.00 in
- Width on the same measurement basis: 6.00 in
- Length per board: 8.00 ft
- Boards in lot: 10 boards
- Quoted price per board foot on same basis: $4.00
- Board feet on entered dimensions
- 40.00 board ft
- Solid volume on entered dimensions
- 3.33 ft³
- Purchase cost at entered board-foot price
- $160.00
These illustrative values are not recommended rates or industry averages. Replace every example input with your own figures.
Use the result well
Convert supplied board dimensions into board feet, actual solid cubic feet and cost on a chosen board-foot price basis. 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.