Lumber Calculator
Estimate lumber quantities and costs for your next build. Select common lumber sizes and calculate the precise volume utilizing actual profile dimensions.
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Free Lumber Calculator
Select your nominal lumber size, enter the lengths required, and we'll calculate the accurate board feet based on the finished dimensions.
Lumber Calculator
Estimate board feet and cost using actual dimensions.
How to Use the Lumber Calculator
When planning a construction or woodworking project, accurately estimating your materials is the best way to stay on budget. The lumber calculator automates this process so you don't have to look up the final milled dimensions for each board.
- Select your standard lumber profile from the dropdown (e.g., 2x4, 1x6).
- Enter the length of the board in feet.
- Input the quantity you need of that specific board.
- Provide an optional price per board foot to calculate your overall expense.
Common Lumber Sizes: Nominal vs Actual
One of the most confusing parts of purchasing lumber is the difference between nominal and actual dimensions. A 2x4 isn't actually 2 inches by 4 inches—it's 1.5 inches by 3.5 inches. The nominal size refers to the rough-cut dimensions before the wood is dried and planed smooth.
| Nominal Size | Actual Surfaced Size |
|---|---|
| 1x4 | 3/4" × 3-1/2" |
| 1x6 | 3/4" × 5-1/2" |
| 1x8 | 3/4" × 7-1/4" |
| 1x10 | 3/4" × 9-1/4" |
| 1x12 | 3/4" × 11-1/4" |
| 2x4 | 1-1/2" × 3-1/2" |
| 2x6 | 1-1/2" × 5-1/2" |
| 2x8 | 1-1/2" × 7-1/4" |
| 2x10 | 1-1/2" × 9-1/4" |
| 2x12 | 1-1/2" × 11-1/4" |
| 4x4 | 3-1/2" × 3-1/2" |
Our lumber calculator takes this into account, utilizing the actual surfaced dimensions to provide an exact volumetric estimate rather than the rough-cut nominal dimensions.
Estimating Lumber Cost
Lumber yards often sell wood by the board foot, especially when purchasing hardwoods or premium clear softwoods. By tracking the total board feet required for your project, you can easily shop around and multiply your total BF by a supplier's price-per-board-foot to establish an accurate budget.
If your supplier prices by the linear foot instead, you can easily derive your material cost simply by adding up the total length required for each specific profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get Your Perfect Lumber Cut List
Stop guessing at the lumber yard. Generate an optimized cut list and buy exactly the amount of lumber you need.
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Related Tools: Board Foot Calculator | 2x4 Calculator | 2x6 Calculator | Plywood Calculator