Wood Cost Calculator
Calculate wood cost for a batch of rectangular boards.
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Currency: Amounts are calculated in the currency you select; this site does not convert between currencies and does not use live exchange rates.
What this tool does
Calculate wood cost for a batch of rectangular boards. One board foot is 144 cubic inches. Actual dimensions are used.
How to use the Wood Cost Calculator
- Enter or select actual thickness in in.
- Enter or select actual width in in.
- Enter or select board length in ft.
- Enter or select board quantity.
- Enter or select price per board foot.
- Read the calculated result; change any measurement to compare alternatives.
Formula
board feet = thickness(in) × width(in) × length(ft) × count / 12; cost = board feet × price
- thickness
- Actual thickness (in, before metric conversion)
- width
- Actual width (in, before metric conversion)
- length
- Board length (ft, before metric conversion)
- count
- Board quantity
- price
- Price per board foot
One board foot is 144 cubic inches. Actual dimensions are used.
Worked example
For wood cost calculator, the following measurements illustrate the exact method: Actual thickness: 1; Actual width: 6; Board length: 8; Board quantity: 10; Price per board foot: 5.
Inputs
- Actual thickness1 in
- Actual width6 in
- Board length8 ft
- Board quantity10
- Price per board foot5
Result
- Total board feet40
- Total wood volume3.33 cu ft
- Wood cost$200.00
Results explained
- Total board feet
- Total board feet from the formula above. One board foot is 144 cubic inches. Actual dimensions are used.
- Total wood volume
- Total wood volume from the formula above, expressed in cuft before metric conversion. One board foot is 144 cubic inches. Actual dimensions are used.
- Wood cost
- Wood cost from the formula above. One board foot is 144 cubic inches. Actual dimensions are used.
Frequently asked questions
Multiply inch thickness by inch width by foot length by quantity and divide by 12.
Use actual measured thickness and width unless your supplier explicitly prices on nominal rough dimensions. A nominal 2 × 4 is typically 1.5 × 3.5 inches after surfacing.
No unless a waste input is shown. Add stock for end trimming, defects and kerf rather than treating the computed total as a guaranteed cut plan.
Length inputs with a unit can be switched to metric; internal formulas keep a consistent inch/foot basis. Board foot outputs remain board feet.
Surfacing, moisture and the seller's pricing convention may change the billed volume.