Lumber Calculator
Plan your lumber order. Add multiple board sizes, quantities, waste allowance, and get total board feet, linear feet, square feet, and cost — free.
| Thickness (in) | Width (in) | Length (ft) | Qty | Price | BF | LF | Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Totals | — | — | — | — | ||||
Lumber Calculator vs Board Foot Calculator
The Board Foot Calculator answers "how many board feet is this board?" — one board at a time. This lumber board foot calculator answers "how much lumber do I need for my project?" — multiple sizes, quantities, pricing, and waste all in one list.
Use this tool when you have a cut list or material takeoff and need a total board footage, cost estimate, and order quantity with waste factored in.
How to Build a Lumber List
- Enter each board size — thickness, width, and length. You can use nominal or actual dimensions. The quick-pick chips above pre-fill common sizes.
- Set the quantity — how many boards of each size you need.
- Add a price (optional) — enter a price per board foot ($/BF), per thousand board feet ($/MBF), or per piece. The cost column updates automatically.
- Set waste allowance — the default is 10%. The waste-adjusted total is what you should actually order.
- Review the summary — total board feet, linear feet, square feet, and cost all update as you type.
Waste Allowance by Project Type
| Project | Suggested waste % | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Standard framing (2×4, 2×6) | 10% | Straight cuts, predictable sizing |
| Deck framing and decking | 10–15% | End cuts, board gaps, edge trimming |
| Hardwood furniture | 15–20% | Defect avoidance, grain matching, re-cuts |
| Flooring (hardwood strips) | 10–15% | End joints, racking, border cuts |
| Trim and molding | 15% | Miter angles, length matching |
| Complex angle cuts or curves | 20–30% | High cut waste from non-square geometry |
Pricing Modes Explained
$/BF (per board foot) — the most common retail pricing unit. Enter the price your lumber yard charges per board foot and the cost column shows the total for each row and the overall project.
$/MBF (per thousand board feet) — common for wholesale and contractor pricing. The calculator divides by 1,000 to get the per-BF rate automatically. What is MBF? →
$/piece — use when buying at retail by the board (e.g., $8.99 per 2×4×8). Enter the per-board price and the calculator multiplies by quantity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between this and the Board Foot Calculator?
The Board Foot Calculator computes board feet for a single board. This Lumber Calculator handles multiple board sizes and quantities at once — it's a project estimator with pricing and waste built in.
Should I use nominal or actual lumber dimensions?
Use nominal dimensions (e.g., 2×4) when ordering from a lumber yard — they price by nominal board feet. Use actual dimensions (e.g., 1.5×3.5) when calculating true volume for engineering or weight estimates. See nominal vs actual lumber sizes for the full table.
How much waste should I add to my lumber order?
For most framing projects, 10% is standard. For hardwood furniture or projects with complex cuts, use 15–20%. The waste table above gives recommendations by project type.
Can I export my lumber list?
Yes — use the Download PDF Report button to generate a branded PDF of your lumber list with all board sizes, quantities, board feet, and costs.
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