Definition
Board foot
A unit of lumber volume equal to 144 cubic inches, which is a board one inch thick, twelve inches wide and twelve inches long. Hardwood in North America is priced by the board foot, so it is the unit that turns your cut list into a shopping cost.
Board feet is calculated from NOMINAL dimensions, which is the size the board was sawn to rather than the size it is after planing. This is why a nominal 2 by 4 that measures 1.5 by 3.5 inches is still billed as a 2 by 4.
Tools that use this term
Board Feet Calculator
Board feet from nominal dimensions, with a running total, and the dressed size the board actually measures.
Lumber Calculator
Work out board feet, cubic volume and linear length for sawn lumber in inches, feet, centimetres or metres.
Wood Project Cost Calculator
Total the lumber, hardware, finish, consumables and labour in a woodworking project, then see a suggested price.