Why Board Feet Matter
If you have ever visited a lumber yard or tried to price out wood for a project, you have likely encountered the term board foot. Unlike the linear feet used to measure trim and molding or the square feet used for flooring and paneling, the board foot is a unit of volume that accounts for a board's length, width, and thickness simultaneously. It is the standard unit of measurement for hardwood lumber and reclaimed wood in the United States, and understanding it is essential for anyone buying lumber for construction, furniture making, or any other woodworking project.
At Lumber New Orleans, we sell most of our reclaimed lumber by the board foot. Customers who understand this measurement system are better equipped to estimate project costs, compare prices between suppliers, and avoid ordering too much or too little material. This guide explains the board foot system clearly and provides practical tools for calculating your lumber needs.
What Is a Board Foot?
A board foot is a unit of volume equal to a piece of wood one foot long, one foot wide, and one inch thick. That works out to 144 cubic inches. Any combination of dimensions that equals 144 cubic inches also equals one board foot. A board that is two inches thick, six inches wide, and twelve inches long is also one board foot. So is a board that is one inch thick, two inches wide, and six feet long.
The formula for calculating board feet is straightforward: multiply the thickness in inches by the width in inches by the length in feet, then divide by twelve. Written as an equation, it looks like this: Board Feet equals Thickness (inches) times Width (inches) times Length (feet) divided by 12. For example, a board that is one and a half inches thick, eight inches wide, and ten feet long contains ten board feet: 1.5 times 8 times 10 divided by 12 equals 10.
Nominal vs. Actual Dimensions
One source of confusion in board foot calculations is the difference between nominal and actual dimensions. In the new lumber market, a nominal two-by-four actually measures one and a half inches by three and a half inches after milling and drying. Board foot calculations for new lumber are typically based on nominal dimensions, meaning you pay for the full two-by-four even though you receive less actual wood.
In the reclaimed lumber market, practices vary. Some dealers calculate board feet based on actual measured dimensions, while others use nominal dimensions. At Lumber New Orleans, we measure and price our reclaimed lumber based on actual dimensions, which means you are paying for the wood you actually receive. When comparing prices between suppliers, always clarify whether board foot calculations are based on nominal or actual measurements, as this can significantly affect the effective price per unit of usable wood.
Calculating Your Project Needs
To estimate the board footage needed for a project, start by listing every component and its finished dimensions. Add an allowance for waste, which varies by project type. For straightforward projects like shelving or simple furniture, a waste factor of 10 to 15 percent is usually sufficient. For projects involving complex cuts, angled joints, or selective grading where you may reject some boards for aesthetic reasons, increase the waste factor to 20 to 25 percent. Reclaimed lumber projects often benefit from a slightly higher waste factor because of the natural variation in salvaged material.
For flooring projects, the calculation is simpler. Measure the square footage of the area to be covered and multiply by the thickness of the flooring in inches, then divide by twelve to convert to board feet. Add 10 to 15 percent for cutting waste, staggered joints, and fitting around obstacles. For a 200-square-foot room using three-quarter-inch-thick flooring, you would need approximately 200 times 0.75 divided by 12, plus waste, which works out to roughly 14 to 16 board feet, plus waste of about two additional board feet for a total of approximately 16 to 18 board feet. However, many flooring products are sold by the square foot rather than the board foot, so confirm the pricing unit with your supplier.
Price Per Board Foot
Lumber prices are typically expressed as a dollar amount per board foot. This allows straightforward comparison between boards of different dimensions. A price of eight dollars per board foot means that the ten-board-foot plank described earlier would cost eighty dollars. Prices per board foot vary widely based on species, grade, character level, dimensions, and market conditions.
Reclaimed lumber pricing reflects the unique value of salvaged material. Common species in standard dimensions may be priced competitively with premium new hardwoods, while rare species, large-dimension timbers, and specialty items like wide-plank flooring or hand-hewn beams may command premium prices. At Lumber New Orleans, we publish our current pricing and are happy to provide quotes for specific project needs. We believe in transparent pricing and will always explain how board footage is calculated for your order.
Tips for Smart Lumber Buying
First, always measure twice and calculate once. Errors in board foot calculations translate directly into ordering too much material, wasting money, or ordering too little and delaying your project. Second, ask about minimum order quantities and volume discounts. Many lumber suppliers, including us, offer better pricing on larger orders. Third, inspect material before purchasing whenever possible. Visiting the yard and hand-selecting your boards ensures you get exactly the material you want and helps you assess the actual yield from each board after accounting for defects, sapwood, and other features you may want to avoid.
Finally, do not hesitate to ask questions. Lumber measurement and pricing can be confusing, especially for first-time buyers, and any reputable dealer will be happy to walk you through the calculations and help you understand exactly what you are getting for your money. At Lumber New Orleans, educating our customers is part of what we do, and we would rather spend time explaining board feet than have you end up with the wrong amount of material for your project.