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How to Calculate Board Feet

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Calculating board feet is straightforward and helps measure the volume of lumber. Here’s a quick guide:

  1. Understand the Formula:
    The formula is:
    Board Feet (BF) = (Thickness in inches × Width in inches × Length in feet) ÷ 12

  2. Measure the Dimensions:

    • Thickness: Measure the lumber’s thickness in inches.
    • Width: Measure the width of the board in inches.
    • Length: Measure the length of the board in feet.
  3. Apply the Formula:
    Multiply the thickness, width, and length, then divide by 12.

Example:

If you have a board that is 2 inches thick, 6 inches wide, and 8 feet long:
BF = (2 × 6 × 8) ÷ 12 = 96 ÷ 12 = 8 board feet

That’s it! You can use this method to calculate the board feet for any piece of lumber. For convenience, you can also use a Board Foot Calculator to save time.

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