Understanding Board Feet
A board foot is a standard unit of measurement for lumber volume in the United States and Canada. It represents a piece of wood that is 1 foot long, 1 foot wide, and 1 inch thick (144 cubic inches). This standardized measurement allows for consistent pricing and inventory management across the lumber industry.
Formula
[\text{Board Feet} = \frac{\text{Length (ft)} \times \text{Width (in)} \times \text{Thickness (in)}}{12}]
For multiple pieces:
[\text{Total Board Feet} = \frac{\text{Number of Pieces} \times \text{Length (ft)} \times \text{Width (in)} \times \text{Thickness (in)}}{12}]
Keep currency symbols outside the formula when calculating cost.
Example
Calculate board feet and cost for a lumber order:
- 10 pieces of wood
- Each piece: 8 feet length, 6 inches width, 1 inch thickness
- Cost: $5.00 per board foot
Step 1: Calculate board feet for a single piece
[\text{Board Feet (single)} = \frac{8 \times 6 \times 1}{12} = \frac{48}{12} = 4 \text{ board feet}]
Step 2: Calculate total board feet
[\text{Total Board Feet} = 4 \times 10 = 40 \text{ board feet}]
Step 3: Calculate total cost
[\text{Total Cost} = 40 \times 5.00 = 200]
The total cost is $200.00.
Why Board Feet Matter
Board feet provide a standardized way to price and compare lumber regardless of dimensions. A 2×4 that is 8 feet long and a 1×6 that is approximately 10.67 feet long both contain the same volume of wood (approximately 5.33 board feet) and would be priced similarly. This makes it easier to compare costs across different lumber sizes and plan budgets for construction or woodworking projects.