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Lumber Calculator
Calculate board feet, linear footage, and material cost for framing, decking, and finish lumber.
Default $650/MBF (framing lumber, 2026 national avg). Adjust for species and grade.
Estimated Cost (with 10% waste)
$3.18
4.89 BF · $0.650/BF
| Board feet per piece | 0.44 BF |
| Total board feet | 4.44 BF |
| With 10% waste | 4.89 BF |
| Total linear feet | 80 LF |
| Actual cross-section | 1.5" \u00d7 3.5" |
| Estimated cost | $3.18 |
Methodology
Board feet = (nominal thickness × nominal width × length) ÷ 144. Board feet use nominal dimensions for the calculation (2 for a 2x4, not the actual 1.5"), which is the industry standard. Pricing per MBF (thousand board feet). A 10% waste factor is added to account for cuts, defects, and layout. Prices vary by species, grade, and market — verify with your local supplier before ordering.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a board foot?
A board foot is a unit of lumber volume equal to 1 inch thick × 12 inches wide × 12 inches long — or 144 cubic inches. It is the standard unit for pricing dimensional lumber and hardwoods in North America. A 2x4 that is 8 feet long contains 5.33 board feet (2 × 4 × 96 ÷ 144).
How do I calculate board feet for a 2x4?
Use the nominal dimensions: 2 × 4 × length (in inches) ÷ 144. For a 2x4 that is 8 feet (96 inches) long: 2 × 4 × 96 ÷ 144 = 5.33 BF. Note that actual 2x4 dimensions are 1.5" × 3.5", but board feet are always calculated using nominal dimensions.
What does MBF mean?
MBF stands for "thousand board feet" — it is the standard unit for lumber pricing at the wholesale and mill level. If framing lumber is quoted at $650/MBF, that means $650 per 1,000 board feet, or $0.65 per board foot. Retail lumber yards often price by the linear foot or piece, but contractors purchasing in volume use MBF pricing.
How much does framing lumber cost per board foot?
Framing lumber (dimensional SPF — spruce-pine-fir) costs approximately $0.50–$0.90 per board foot in 2026, or $500–$900/MBF at the mill level. Retail prices at home improvement stores are typically 15–30% higher. Douglas fir and Southern Yellow Pine command a premium. Prices fluctuate significantly with housing starts and tariff conditions.