Linear Feet to Board Feet Calculator

Enter a board's thickness, width, and length to get board feet from linear feet — the volume measure lumber is priced by — with the ÷12 math shown.

Board dimensions
in
in
ft
ResultsLIVE
Board feet
6 bd ft
≈ 0.01 m³ volume
Linear length12 ft
Board size1 in × 6 in
Cubic feet0.5 cu ft
(1 in × 6 in × 12 ft) ÷ 12 = 6 bd ft
How it works

Lumberyards sell rough hardwood by the board foot, a volume measure, but you buy and cut boards by their length in linear feet. A board foot is the amount of wood in a piece one foot square and one inch thick — `144` cubic inches. To convert a real board, multiply its nominal thickness in inches by its width in inches by its length in feet, then divide by `12`. A `1 in` by `6 in` board that is `12 ft` long is `(1 × 6 × 12) ÷ 12 = 6` board feet.

The `12` in the formula reconciles the mixed units: thickness and width are in inches while length is in feet, and dividing by `12` brings length into inches so the result lands in true board feet. Linear feet, by contrast, only count length and ignore how thick or wide the board is — which is why a `1 x 6` and a `2 x 12` of the same length hold very different amounts of wood. The calculator shows the board feet, the equivalent volume in cubic feet and cubic meters, and keeps the linear length beside them so you can order and price in the same breath.

Worked example
1 in x 6 in board, 12 ft long
= (1 x 6 x 12) / 12
= 6 board feet (0.5 cu ft, 0.01 cu m)
Questions about board feet
A board foot is a volume of lumber equal to a piece 1 ft long, 1 ft wide, and 1 in thick — 144 cubic inches. It is the standard way rough and hardwood lumber is measured and priced, because it captures thickness, width, and length together, unlike a simple length count.
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