Forestry and sawmills
Sawmill lumber recovery and production cost
Compare solid log volume with finished lumber output and allocate batch production cost.
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
recovery = finished solid volume/log solid volume; unit cost = (log cost + processing - byproduct receipts)/finished volume
Use compatible solid volumes, not stacked cords or log-rule board-foot estimates. Differences may include kerf, bark, trim and shrinkage; they are not automatically saleable waste. Byproduct credit is actual revenue rather than an assumed market value. 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
- Measured solid log input volume (ft³): Use the matching measured quantity, time log, schedule or clearly stated estimate. Zero means intentionally none; an unknown amount is not zero.
- Finished lumber solid volume (ft³): Use the matching measured quantity, time log, schedule or clearly stated estimate. Zero means intentionally none; an unknown amount is not zero.
- Batch log purchase cost (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.
- Sawing drying and finishing expense (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.
- Actual byproduct sale credit (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: Solid-volume recovery is 45.00 % for the illustrative inputs below.
Example inputs
- Measured solid log input volume: 1,000.00 ft³
- Finished lumber solid volume: 450.00 ft³
- Batch log purchase cost: $3,000.00
- Sawing drying and finishing expense: $1,500.00
- Actual byproduct sale credit: $200.00
- Solid-volume recovery
- 45.00 %
- Net cost per finished cubic foot
- 9.56 currency/ft³
- Net batch cost after byproduct credit
- $4,300.00
- Non-output volume difference
- 550.00 ft³
These illustrative values are not recommended rates or industry averages. Replace every example input with your own figures.
Use the result well
Compare solid log volume with finished lumber output and allocate batch production cost. 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.