Board Feet Breakdown
Total Board Feet
4.00 BF
Estimated Cost (Oak (Red/White))
Cost Range
$20.00 – $40.00
Price per BF
$5-$10
12,800+ estimates calculated this month
Hardwood Lumber & Board Foot Guide
Everything you need to know about board feet, hardwood pricing, and lumber grades.
What Is a Board Foot and Why Does It Matter?
A board foot (BF) equals 144 cubic inches of wood — equivalent to a 1" thick × 12" wide × 12" long piece. It's the standard unit for pricing hardwood lumber in North America.
- Formula: BF = (Thickness" × Width" × Length') ÷ 12
- Softwood lumber (framing) is sold by the linear foot, not board foot
- Hardwood lumber (oak, maple, walnut, cherry) is always priced per board foot
A common mistake: using actual (surfaced) dimensions instead of nominal. Lumber yards price by nominal (rough-sawn) thickness.
Key Takeaways
- 1 board foot = 144 cubic inches of wood
- BF = (Thickness × Width × Length) ÷ 12
- Always use nominal thickness for pricing
2026 Hardwood Lumber Prices per Board Foot
Domestic hardwood prices range from $3–$15 per board foot depending on species, grade, and thickness.
- Red Oak (4/4 FAS): $3.50–$6.00/BF
- White Oak (4/4 FAS): $5.00–$8.00/BF
- Hard Maple (4/4 FAS): $4.50–$7.50/BF
- Black Cherry (4/4 FAS): $5.00–$9.00/BF
- Black Walnut (4/4 FAS): $8.00–$15.00/BF
- Exotics (Sapele, Padauk): $8.00–$20.00+/BF
Thicker stock (8/4, 12/4) carries a 20–50% premium over 4/4 in the same species.
Key Takeaways
- Red Oak: $3.50–$6.00/BF (most affordable domestic)
- Black Walnut: $8.00–$15.00/BF (premium domestic)
- Thicker stock adds 20–50% premium
Hardwood Lumber Grades Explained
FAS (First and Seconds) is the top grade, yielding 83%+ clear wood from boards at least 6" wide and 8' long.
- FAS: 83%+ clear, best for furniture and cabinetry
- Select / 1 Common: 66%+ clear, good for most woodworking projects
- 2 Common (No. 2A): 50%+ clear, suitable for shorter parts and rustic work
- 3 Common: 33%+ clear, used for pallets, crating, and very rustic projects
Buying 1 Common instead of FAS saves 20–30% and works well if you can use shorter clear pieces.
Key Takeaways
- FAS grade: 83%+ clear wood (top quality)
- 1 Common saves 20–30% over FAS
- Grade affects usable yield, not structural integrity
Waste Factor for Hardwood Projects
Plan for 15–25% waste when working with hardwood lumber, depending on the grade and project complexity.
- FAS grade, simple project: 15% waste factor
- 1 Common, complex project: 20–25% waste factor
- Figured/live-edge wood: 30–40% waste (irregular shapes)
Always buy from the same lot/shipment — color and grain can vary significantly between batches of the same species.
Key Takeaways
- FAS grade: plan 15% waste
- 1 Common grade: plan 20–25% waste
- Buy from same lot for consistent color/grain
How to Use This Calculator
Enter lumber dimensions
Input the thickness (in inches), width (in inches), and length (in feet or inches) for each board. Select the thickness from standard quarter options like 4/4, 5/4, 8/4, etc.
Set quantity and add more boards
Enter the number of pieces for each dimension. Click "Add Board" to calculate multiple lumber sizes in one session.
Choose wood species for pricing
Select a wood species to see estimated cost per board foot. Prices reflect typical hardwood lumber yard ranges.
Review board feet and total cost
See per-board and total board feet with an estimated cost range based on the selected wood species.
Board Foot Formula
Board Feet = (Thickness x Width x Length) / 12
Total BF = Board Feet per Piece x Quantity
Total Cost = Total BF x Price per Board FootWhere:
- Thickness
- = Nominal thickness in inches (e.g., 1" for 4/4, 2" for 8/4)
- Width
- = Board width in inches
- Length
- = Board length in feet (or inches, converted to feet)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a board foot?
How do you calculate board feet?
What does 4/4 lumber mean?
Should I use nominal or actual dimensions?
How much waste should I add?
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