Our Board Foot Calculator is a handy tool that simplifies estimating the wood you need. In this article, we'll explore what board feet are, how to calculate them manually, and the benefits of using our calculator.
A board foot (bd ft) is a measuring unit that corresponds to the volume of lumber. For example, a lineal foot of board is described as "12 inches of board that is one-foot wide and one-inch thick." Board foot is a vital measurement in costing of wood, and if a big project is to be taken, lumber is purchased in bulk.
Commercial wood is often sold by the board foot; i.e.
Board ft = (Thickness (in inches) × Width (in inches) × Length (in ft)) / 12
This formula assists with laying out lumber size in terms of board feet or estimating the wood volume you will need for your project.
Knowing how to calculate board foot manually can be useful if you don't have access to a calculator. Let's break down the process step by step:
Multiply the thickness, width, and length of the board. Then divide the result by 12 to get the board foot measurement.
For example:
If you have a board that is 2 inches thick, 8 inches wide, and 10 feet long:
Board Foot = (2 inches × 8 inches × 10 feet) / 12 = 13.33 board feet
If you have multiple boards, calculate the board feet for each and sum them up to get the total.
This will give you the total volume of lumber you need for your project.
When only a few sheets are processed, the manual calculation of board feet is not very complicated, but it can be time-consuming and error-prone, especially when dealing with large quantities or varying lumber dimensions. This is where our Board Foot Calculator comes in. It makes calculation fast and ensures you get the right figure every time.
Using our board foot calculator is straightforward. Follow these steps to get an accurate measurement:
Input the thickness, width, and length of the lumber into the designated fields. You can select the unit of measurement (inches/feet) as needed.
Once you've entered the dimensions, click on the "Calculate" button. The calculator will instantly display the board foot measurement.
The result shows the board feet required for your project. You can adjust the dimensions and recalculate as necessary.
For professionals in woodworking, construction, furniture making, and other industries, understanding board foot measurement is crucial. Here's how board feet are commonly used in real-world scenarios:
Much of the wood sold by lumber yards is priced in board feet. Learning how to calculate board feet will help you estimate the cost of the wood you’re purchasing accurately and avoid any surprises in your bill.
When planning projects such as furniture, cabinetry, or structural elements, knowing the required board feet of a particular dimension is crucial for ensuring your project is a success.
Lumber producers and dealers often use board feet to keep track of their inventories, prices, and sales orders, making this measurement essential for managing stock effectively.