Lumber Cost Calculator
Enter your board dimensions, quantity, and price per board foot to calculate total board feet and total lumber cost for a project.
Total cost
—
Enter your board details to calculate.
How the Lumber Cost formula works
Board feet, then converted to cost:
Board feet per piece = (Thickness in × Width in × Length ft) / 12 Total cost = Board feet per piece × Quantity × Price per board foot
Step-by-step calculation
- Multiply a board's thickness and width in inches by its length in feet.
- Divide by 12 to get board feet for one piece.
- Multiply by the number of pieces and by the price per board foot.
Worked example
10 boards, each 2 in thick, 6 in wide, 8 ft long, at $4.50 per board foot: Board feet per piece = (2×6×8)/12 = 8. Total board feet = 8×10 = 80. Total cost = 80 × 4.50 = $360.
Frequently asked questions
What's a 'board foot' exactly?
A board foot is a unit of lumber volume equal to a piece 1 inch thick, 12 inches wide, and 12 inches long (144 cubic inches) — it's the standard unit lumber is priced by, rather than a simple linear foot.
Does this include waste allowance for cuts?
No — this calculates exact board footage for the given dimensions and quantity. Add extra pieces or a percentage buffer separately to account for cutting waste and mistakes.