1. What is Board Footage?

Board footage is a measurement of lumber volume commonly used in North America. One board foot equals 144 cubic inches of wood (12" × 12" × 1").

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard board footage formula:

Where:

• \( Thickness \) — Thickness in inches
• \( Width \) — Width in inches
• \( Length \) — Length in feet

Explanation: The formula converts all dimensions to a common unit (inches) and divides by 12 to get the volume in board feet.

3. Importance of Board Foot Calculation

Details: Accurate board foot calculation is essential for lumber pricing, project planning, and material estimation in woodworking and construction.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter thickness and width in inches, length in feet. All values must be positive numbers. The calculator will compute the total board footage.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why divide by 12 in the formula?
A: Because one board foot equals 144 cubic inches (12" × 12" × 1"), and we're working with length in feet (12 inches per foot).

Q2: How do you calculate board feet for multiple pieces?
A: Calculate board footage for one piece, then multiply by the number of identical pieces.

Q3: Is board foot the same as square foot?
A: No, board foot measures volume (including thickness) while square foot measures only surface area.

Q4: What's the minimum thickness for board foot calculation?
A: Typically 1 inch, but the formula works for any thickness. Lumber under 1 inch is often sold by linear or square foot.

Q5: How accurate are board foot calculations?
A: The math is precise, but actual lumber dimensions may vary due to milling, drying, and surfacing processes.