Sources and scope for this page: No standard is involved (board feet is an arithmetic unit of volume, not tabulated reference data), covering every value on this page. No independent source check is recorded for this page: the content rests on the sources listed and on the working shown on the page. Full sources, values and limits on this page.
Page last changed 2026-10-19 · based on n/a — board feet is an arithmetic unit of volume, not tabulated reference data
Quick Answer
Board Feet per Foot of Length
| Nominal size[2] | Thickness in[2] | Width in[2] | Board feet per ft[1] | Linear feet per bd ft[1] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/2" × 2" # | 0.5 | 2 | 0.0833 | 12.00 |
| 1/2" × 4" # | 0.5 | 4 | 0.1667 | 6.00 |
| 1/2" × 6" # | 0.5 | 6 | 0.2500 | 4.00 |
| 1/2" × 8" # | 0.5 | 8 | 0.3333 | 3.00 |
| 1/2" × 10" # | 0.5 | 10 | 0.4167 | 2.40 |
| 1/2" × 12" # | 0.5 | 12 | 0.5000 | 2.00 |
| 5/8" × 2" # | 0.625 | 2 | 0.1042 | 9.60 |
| 5/8" × 4" # | 0.625 | 4 | 0.2083 | 4.80 |
| 5/8" × 6" # | 0.625 | 6 | 0.3125 | 3.20 |
| 5/8" × 8" # | 0.625 | 8 | 0.4167 | 2.40 |
| 5/8" × 10" # | 0.625 | 10 | 0.5208 | 1.92 |
| 5/8" × 12" # | 0.625 | 12 | 0.6250 | 1.60 |
| 3/4" × 2" # | 0.75 | 2 | 0.1250 | 8.00 |
| 3/4" × 4" # | 0.75 | 4 | 0.2500 | 4.00 |
| 3/4" × 6" # | 0.75 | 6 | 0.3750 | 2.67 |
| 3/4" × 8" # | 0.75 | 8 | 0.5000 | 2.00 |
| 3/4" × 10" # | 0.75 | 10 | 0.6250 | 1.60 |
| 3/4" × 12" # | 0.75 | 12 | 0.7500 | 1.33 |
| 1" × 2" # | 1 | 2 | 0.1667 | 6.00 |
| 1" × 4" # | 1 | 4 | 0.3333 | 3.00 |
| 1" × 6" # | 1 | 6 | 0.5000 | 2.00 |
| 1" × 8" # | 1 | 8 | 0.6667 | 1.50 |
| 1" × 10" # | 1 | 10 | 0.8333 | 1.20 |
| 1" × 12" # | 1 | 12 | 1.0000 | 1.00 |
| 1 1/4" × 2" # | 1.25 | 2 | 0.2083 | 4.80 |
| 1 1/4" × 4" # | 1.25 | 4 | 0.4167 | 2.40 |
| 1 1/4" × 6" # | 1.25 | 6 | 0.6250 | 1.60 |
| 1 1/4" × 8" # | 1.25 | 8 | 0.8333 | 1.20 |
| 1 1/4" × 10" # | 1.25 | 10 | 1.0417 | 0.96 |
| 1 1/4" × 12" # | 1.25 | 12 | 1.2500 | 0.80 |
| 1 1/2" × 2" # | 1.5 | 2 | 0.2500 | 4.00 |
| 1 1/2" × 4" # | 1.5 | 4 | 0.5000 | 2.00 |
| 1 1/2" × 6" # | 1.5 | 6 | 0.7500 | 1.33 |
| 1 1/2" × 8" # | 1.5 | 8 | 1.0000 | 1.00 |
| 1 1/2" × 10" # | 1.5 | 10 | 1.2500 | 0.80 |
| 1 1/2" × 12" # | 1.5 | 12 | 1.5000 | 0.67 |
| 2" × 2" # | 2 | 2 | 0.3333 | 3.00 |
| 2" × 4" # | 2 | 4 | 0.6667 | 1.50 |
| 2" × 6" # | 2 | 6 | 1.0000 | 1.00 |
| 2" × 8" # | 2 | 8 | 1.3333 | 0.75 |
| 2" × 10" # | 2 | 10 | 1.6667 | 0.60 |
| 2" × 12" # | 2 | 12 | 2.0000 | 0.50 |
| 3" × 2" # | 3 | 2 | 0.5000 | 2.00 |
| 3" × 4" # | 3 | 4 | 1.0000 | 1.00 |
| 3" × 6" # | 3 | 6 | 1.5000 | 0.67 |
| 3" × 8" # | 3 | 8 | 2.0000 | 0.50 |
| 3" × 10" # | 3 | 10 | 2.5000 | 0.40 |
| 3" × 12" # | 3 | 12 | 3.0000 | 0.33 |
| 4" × 2" # | 4 | 2 | 0.6667 | 1.50 |
| 4" × 4" # | 4 | 4 | 1.3333 | 0.75 |
| 4" × 6" # | 4 | 6 | 2.0000 | 0.50 |
| 4" × 8" # | 4 | 8 | 2.6667 | 0.38 |
| 4" × 10" # | 4 | 10 | 3.3333 | 0.30 |
| 4" × 12" # | 4 | 12 | 4.0000 | 0.25 |
Board feet is computed from nominal dimensions, which is the convention for hardwood lumber. A 2×4 is nominally 2 in × 4 in even though its dressed size is about 1.5 in × 3.5 in. Softwood dimension lumber is normally priced per linear foot instead.
The Board Foot Formula
board feet = (thickness × width × length, all in inches) ÷ 144board feet = (thickness × width × length in feet) ÷ 12
The 144 is the number of cubic inches in a board foot: 1 × 12 × 12. The second form is easier when the length is already in feet, which it usually is.
Worked examples
- 2×4, 8 ft: 2 × 4 × 8 ÷ 12 = 5.33 bd ft
- 1×6, 10 ft: 1 × 6 × 10 ÷ 12 = 5.00 bd ft
- 2×8, 12 ft: 2 × 8 × 12 ÷ 12 = 16.00 bd ft
- 4/4 (1 in) × 6 in × 8 ft: 1 × 6 × 8 ÷ 12 = 4.00 bd ft
Nominal vs Actual Dimensions
Board feet is calculated on nominal size — the size the lumber is called, not the size it measures. A 2×4 is nominally 2 in × 4 in, but its dressed dimensions are about 1.5 in × 3.5 in. The board foot calculation uses the nominal figures.
This is not the industry being sloppy: the nominal size is the size the piece was cut to before surfacing, and it is the basis on which hardwood is bought and sold. If you need to know what the piece physically measures — for a fit, or for estimating weight — use the dressed dimensions instead.
Softwood dimension lumber (2×4, 2×6 and so on) is normally priced per linear foot or per piece rather than per board foot. Board feet is the convention for hardwood sold by the board, and for rough-sawn stock.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many board feet are in a 2x4x8?
- 5.33 board feet. The calculation is 2 × 4 × 96 inches ÷ 144, or equivalently 2 × 4 × 8 feet ÷ 12.
- What is a board foot?
- 144 cubic inches of lumber — nominally a piece 1 inch thick, 12 inches wide and 12 inches long. It is the unit hardwood lumber is priced and sold in.
- How do I calculate board feet?
- Multiply thickness, width and length in inches and divide by 144. If the length is in feet, multiply thickness × width × length in feet and divide by 12 instead.
- Is board feet calculated on nominal or actual size?
- Nominal size — the size the lumber is called. A 2×4 is calculated as 2 in × 4 in even though it measures about 1.5 in × 3.5 in after surfacing.
- How many board feet are in a 1x6x10?
- 5.00 board feet. 1 × 6 × 10 ÷ 12 = 5.00. The result scales linearly with each dimension, so doubling any one of them doubles the board feet.
- Why is lumber sold by board foot rather than by volume?
- It is a trade convention that predates metrication and is convenient for stock that varies in all three dimensions. Because thickness is usually a small set of standard values, pricing per board foot lets a buyer compare pieces of different lengths and widths consistently.
Related
Value Sources
References and calculation methods used for this page are listed below. Numbered markers connect table columns where present. A reference listing does not itself establish that every value has been independently checked.
| # | Source | Type | Revision / method |
|---|---|---|---|
| [1] | Board feet and inverse | derived | board feet per foot = (thickness × width × 12) ÷ 144; linear feet per board foot = 1 ÷ that. |
| [2] | Board foot definition | derived | A board foot is 144 in³. Nominal thickness and width are the inputs; no standard body publishes a board foot table because every value is arithmetic. |
Data Sources
| Standard | Revision | What it covers on this page |
|---|---|---|
| No standard is involved | n/a — board feet is an arithmetic unit of volume, not tabulated reference data | every value on this page |
Verification scope
No page-specific independent source review is recorded here. The listed references and formulas explain the basis of the compilation; automated consistency checks do not verify the original sources or establish product conformity.
Derived values — the following values on this page are calculated, not taken directly from the standard:
| Value | How it is derived |
|---|---|
| All values | Arithmetic from the board foot definition — see the formulas above. |
Nominal dimensions are used, consistent with lumber trade practice. Dressed (actual) dimensions are smaller and vary by surfacing and by mill.
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Read the source notes, calculation methods and verification scope above before reusing a value. To cite this page:
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