When it comes to woodworking or buying lumber, understanding how to calculate board foot measure is essential. Board foot measure is a standard unit of measurement used to determine the volume of lumber. By knowing how to calculate board foot measure, you can accurately estimate the amount of lumber you need for a project or determine the cost of purchasing lumber.
What is a Board Foot?
A board foot is a unit of measure that represents a piece of lumber with a thickness of 1 inch, a width of 12 inches, and a length of 1 foot. It is calculated by multiplying the thickness (in inches) by the width (in inches) by the length (in feet). For example, a piece of lumber that is 2 inches thick, 6 inches wide, and 8 feet long would be equal to 8 board feet (2 inches x 6 inches x 8 feet = 96 cubic inches or 8 board feet).
Calculating Board Foot Measure
To calculate the board foot measure of a piece of lumber, follow these steps:
- Measure the length of the board in feet.
- Measure the width of the board in inches.
- Measure the thickness of the board in inches.
- Multiply the length, width, and thickness together.
- Divide the result by 144 (the number of cubic inches in a board foot).
Here is a formula you can use:
Board Feet = (Length (ft) x Width (in) x Thickness (in)) / 144
Let’s say you have a piece of lumber that is 10 feet long, 8 inches wide, and 1.5 inches thick. Plugging these values into the formula, you would calculate:
Board Feet = (10 ft x 8 in x 1.5 in) / 144 = 1.11 board feet
So, the piece of lumber would be equal to approximately 1.11 board feet.
Calculating Board Foot Measure for Multiple Boards
If you have multiple boards that are the same size, you can calculate the total board foot measure by multiplying the board foot measure of one board by the number of boards. For example, if you have 10 boards that are each 1.5 board feet, the total board foot measure would be 15 board feet (10 boards x 1.5 board feet = 15 board feet).
Using Board Foot Measure for Cost Estimation
Knowing how to calculate board foot measure is also useful for estimating the cost of purchasing lumber. Lumber is typically sold by the board foot, so by calculating the board foot measure of the lumber you need, you can determine how much it will cost.
To estimate the cost, you will need to know the price per board foot of the specific type of lumber you are purchasing. Multiply the board foot measure by the price per board foot to get the total cost. For example, if the price per board foot is $4 and you need 20 board feet of lumber, the total cost would be $80 (20 board feet x $4 per board foot = $80).
Conclusion
Calculating board foot measure is a straightforward process that allows you to accurately determine the volume of lumber and estimate the cost of purchasing lumber. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can confidently calculate board foot measure for your woodworking projects or when buying lumber.
Remember, a board foot represents a piece of lumber with a thickness of 1 inch, a width of 12 inches, and a length of 1 foot. Use the formula (Length (ft) x Width (in) x Thickness (in)) / 144 to calculate the board foot measure. Multiply the board foot measure by the number of boards or the price per board foot to determine the total volume or cost.