Calculate board feet for lumber pricing and log scaling. Get instant cost estimates for hardwood purchases and sawmill logs.
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Enter your lumber dimensions
| Quarter | Rough | S2S | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4/4 | 1" | 13/16" | Cabinet sides, drawer fronts, small boxes |
| 5/4 | 1-1/4" | 1-1/16" | Deck boards, shelving, light furniture |
| 6/4 | 1-1/2" | 1-5/16" | Table tops, bench seats, thick shelves |
| 8/4 | 2" | 1-13/16" | Table legs, thick tops, workbenches |
| 12/4 | 3" | 2-13/16" | Turning blanks, mantels, heavy posts |
| 16/4 | 4" | 3-13/16" | Carving blocks, large turnings, timbers |
S2S = Surfaced Two Sides
Rough lumber is planed on two faces, removing about 3/16" per side. Always buy based on the rough (quarter) size and plan for the S2S final dimension.
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What is a board foot?
A unit of volume for lumber: 1" thick x 12" wide x 12" long (144 cubic inches). It's the standard for pricing hardwood in the US.
How do you calculate board feet?
Thickness (in) x Width (in) x Length (in) / 144. For feet: T x W x L(ft) / 12. A 1" x 6" x 8ft board = 4.00 BF.
What is the Doyle log scale?
A formula estimating board feet in logs: BF = (D-4)^2 x L / 16. Common in the eastern US but underestimates small log yield.
How much does a board foot cost?
Pine $2-4, poplar $3-5, red oak $5-8, maple $6-10, cherry $7-12, walnut $10-18 per BF. Prices vary by grade and region.
What does 4/4 lumber mean?
4/4 = 1" thick rough-sawn. Each quarter = 1/4". So 8/4 = 2" thick. After surfacing (S2S), 4/4 finishes at 13/16".
Board feet vs linear feet?
Linear feet measures length only. Board feet measures volume (T x W x L / 144). A 2" x 6" x 1ft = 1 LF but 1 BF.
Enter Dimensions
Input thickness, width, and length of your lumber. Use quarter-notation presets (4/4, 8/4) or enter a custom thickness. Toggle between feet and inches for length.
Calculate Board Feet
For lumber: BF = (T x W x L) / 144. For logs, choose Doyle, Scribner, or International 1/4" scale. Each formula estimates usable lumber from a round log differently.
Get Cost Estimate
Multiply total board feet by your price per BF. The calculator also estimates weight at 3.5 lbs per board foot (average hardwood density).
Key Formulas
Lumber: BF = (T" x W" x L") / 144
Doyle: BF = (D-4)^2 x L / 16
Scribner: BF = (0.79D^2 - 2D - 4) x L / 16
Int'l 1/4": BF = (0.905D^2 - 1.62D - 9.19) x L / 16
Approximate $/BF for 4/4 FAS grade
Prices vary by region, grade, and supplier. Kiln-dried adds $1-3/BF.