Lumber Calculator
Calculate board feet, weight, and volume for lumber by species. Enter dimensions and quantity to estimate material requirements for woodworking projects.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a board foot?
A board foot is 1 ft long x 1 ft wide x 1 inch thick (144 cubic inches). It's the standard unit for measuring lumber volume.
How many board feet in a 2x4x8?
A 2x4x8 contains 5.33 board feet: (8 x 2 x 4) / 12 = 5.33 bd ft. Actual size is 1.5 x 3.5 inches.
What is the heaviest wood species?
Lignum vitae at 83 lb/cu ft is one of the heaviest. Among common species, hickory at 50 lb/cu ft and white oak at 47 lb/cu ft are at the upper end.
Does lumber weight matter for projects?
Yes — heavier woods are stronger but harder to work. Weight affects shipping costs, fastener selection, and structural load calculations.
What's the difference between nominal and actual size?
A 2x4 is nominally 2x4 inches but actually 1.5x3.5 inches. Board foot calculations typically use nominal dimensions for rough lumber and actual for dressed lumber.