Standard Lumber Calculator

Board Foot Calculator for Lumber

Calculate board feet for standard dimensional lumber. Includes all common sizes from 1× to 4× boards.

Lumber Calculator

Select a common lumber size or enter custom dimensions

Common Lumber Sizes (click to select)

Thickness (inches)

Actual dimension (not nominal)

Width (inches)

Length (feet)

Quantity (pieces)

Remember: Nominal sizes (like 2×6) are larger than actual dimensions. A 2×6 actually measures 1.5" × 5.5" after drying and planing.

1× Boards

Actual 3/4" thick. Used for trim, shelving, and light projects.

2× Lumber

Actual 1.5" thick. Standard framing lumber for walls, floors, and decks.

4× Posts

Actual 3.5" thick. Used for posts, beams, and heavy structural work.

6× Timbers

Actual 5.5" thick. Heavy timbers for posts, beams, and landscaping.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between nominal and actual size?

Nominal is the rough-cut size before drying and planing. Actual is the finished dimension. A 2×4 nominally is 2"×4" but measures 1.5"×3.5" actual.

Should I use nominal or actual dimensions?

Use actual dimensions for accurate board foot calculations. Our presets automatically use actual sizes for common lumber.

How many board feet in a typical 2×4×8?

Using actual dimensions: (1.5 × 3.5 × 8) ÷ 12 = 3.5 board feet per 8-foot 2×4.

Specialized Calculators

Choose from our collection of specialized board foot calculators tailored for specific materials and applications

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