Construction

Board Foot

A unit of lumber volume equal to a piece 1 foot long, 1 foot wide, and 1 inch thick (144 cubic inches). Used to price and estimate lumber for construction projects.

Board feet measure volume, not surface area, so they let you compare and price boards of different dimensions on equal terms. Lumber yards quote hardwoods and rough stock by the board foot, making the conversion essential for estimating a project’s material cost.

Key Formula & Relationship
Board Feet = (Length (ft) × Width (in) × Thickness (in)) / 12
Reviewed by the Calculover Editorial Team for mathematical and practical accuracy.
← Back to the glossary