What Is Cost Per Board Foot?
When you are shopping for lumber, whether it is premium walnut for a dining table or pressure-treated pine for a deck, the price tag on a stack of wood does not tell you much on its own. The cost per board foot (CPBF) gives you a standardized price for one board foot of material, making it easy to compare across species, suppliers, and quantities.
For buyers, understanding CPBF means you can budget precisely and avoid overpaying. For sellers, it is a reliable metric for setting competitive prices and managing inventory. Whether you are a weekend hobbyist or a professional woodworker, cost per board foot is the number that keeps your project finances on track.
How to Calculate Cost Per Board Foot
The formula is refreshingly simple. Divide the total cost of the material by the total number of board feet:
[\text{CPBF} = \frac{\text{Total Cost}}{\text{Board Feet}}]
Where:
- Total Cost is the price you paid for the lumber, in dollars or any currency.
- Board Feet is the total volume of wood measured in board feet (one board foot = 12 in x 12 in x 1 in).
If you are working in metric, the same logic applies with cubic meters:
[\text{Cost per m³} = \frac{\text{Total Cost}}{\text{Volume in m³}}]
Steps to Calculate
- Determine the total cost. This is the full price paid for the lumber, including any delivery charges you want to include.
- Measure or look up the board feet. A board foot equals a volume of 144 cubic inches. You can compute it from individual boards using the board foot formula: thickness (in) x width (in) x length (ft) / 12.
- Divide total cost by board feet. The result is your cost per board foot.
Calculation Example
Suppose you purchased a stack of premium cedar for $680, and the total volume came to 8 board feet.
[\text{CPBF} = \frac{680}{8} = 85]
The cost per board foot is $85.
Example Breakdown:
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Cost | $680 |
| Total Board Feet | 8 bf |
| Cost Per Board Foot | $85/bf |
With that number in hand, you know exactly what each board foot costs and can estimate the material expense for your entire project.
Typical Lumber Costs Per Board Foot
| Species | Approx. CPBF |
|---|---|
| Pine (construction grade) | $2 - $5 |
| Red Oak | $5 - $9 |
| Hard Maple | $6 - $11 |
| Black Walnut | $10 - $20 |
| Cherry | $7 - $13 |
| Cedar | $4 - $8 |
Prices vary by region, grade, and supplier. Always compare CPBF rather than total price when evaluating different sources.
Tips for Getting the Best Price
- Buy in bulk. Larger orders typically lower the cost per board foot because suppliers offer volume discounts.
- Compare across suppliers. Use CPBF as your common denominator to make apples-to-apples comparisons.
- Factor in waste. Budget for 10-15% extra material to account for defects, saw kerf, and mistakes. Your effective CPBF rises when waste is high.
- Consider rough vs. surfaced lumber. Rough-sawn lumber is cheaper per board foot, but you will lose some thickness when planing it smooth.