Lumber Price Guide
Lumber prices vary by species, grade, moisture content, region, and current market conditions. This guide provides a reference for typical retail price ranges and explains the factors that drive them. For current transaction pricing, always confirm with local dealers.
Softwood Framing Lumber (Retail, Per Board Foot)
Softwood dimensional lumber is sold at home centers and lumber yards, typically priced by the piece or linear foot. The table below converts those prices to a per-board-foot basis for comparison.
| Species / Grade | Common sizes | Approx. $/BF (retail) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| SPF (Spruce-Pine-Fir) #2 | 2×4, 2×6, 2×8 | $0.50–$0.90 | Most common framing lumber |
| Douglas Fir #2 | 2×4 to 2×12 | $0.60–$1.10 | Stronger than SPF; common in West |
| Southern Yellow Pine #2 | 2×4 to 2×12 | $0.55–$1.00 | Dominant in Southeast |
| SYP Pressure Treated | 2×4 to 4×6 | $0.80–$1.50 | For outdoor/ground contact |
| Hem-Fir #2 | 2×4 to 2×12 | $0.55–$0.95 | Common on West Coast |
| Eastern White Pine (clear) | 1×4 to 1×12 | $2.00–$4.00 | Clear grade for trim and millwork |
| Western Red Cedar (clear) | 1×4 to 1×12 | $3.00–$6.00 | Decay resistant; decking and siding |
| Douglas Fir (clear, S4S) | 4×4 to 6×8 | $3.00–$6.00 | Structural timber and exposed beams |
Hardwood Lumber (Retail, Per Board Foot)
Hardwood is sold by the board foot at hardwood specialty dealers. Prices below are for FAS or Select grade, air-dried or kiln-dried, rough or surfaced two sides (S2S). Figured, wide, or extra-long boards command significant premiums.
| Species | Typical $/BF (FAS or Sel, dry) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow-Poplar | $2.00–$3.50 | Most affordable; takes paint well |
| Red Oak | $3.00–$5.00 | Most widely available hardwood |
| White Oak | $4.00–$6.00 | Premium over red oak; sought after |
| Hard Maple | $4.00–$6.50 | Dense; heavy; cream-white color |
| Soft Maple | $3.00–$5.00 | More available; lighter color |
| White Ash | $3.50–$5.50 | Supply tightened due to EAB |
| Black Cherry | $5.00–$9.00 | Darkens beautifully with age |
| Black Walnut | $8.00–$15.00 | Premium species; high export demand |
| Hickory | $3.50–$6.00 | Hardest common North American species |
| Basswood | $2.50–$4.00 | Soft, easy to carve; common for carving |
| Paper Birch | $3.00–$5.00 | Regional availability varies |
| American Elm | $4.00–$7.00 | Interlocked grain; difficult to split |
Premium and Specialty Lumber Premiums
Beyond species and grade, several factors command higher prices:
| Factor | Typical premium over standard |
|---|---|
| Figured wood (curly, quilted, bird's eye) | 2–10× |
| Live-edge slabs (wide, single piece) | 3–8× per BF |
| Quarter-sawn or rift-sawn | 25–75% |
| Kiln-dried vs air-dried | 10–20% |
| S4S (surfaced 4 sides) vs rough | 20–40% |
| Extra-long boards (>12 ft) | 10–25% |
| Extra-wide boards (>10 in) | 15–35% |
| Reclaimed / antique lumber | 2–5× |
Wholesale vs Retail Pricing
Prices above reflect retail hardwood dealers and home centers. Wholesale pricing — through lumber brokers, direct from mills, or at auction — can be 30–60% lower, but typically requires purchasing in larger quantities (MBF increments) and accepting random widths and lengths.
→ What is MBF? Pricing and conversions explained
Key Factors That Drive Lumber Prices
- Housing starts: The primary driver for softwood lumber demand. A surge in new construction causes significant price spikes, as seen in 2020–2021.
- Export demand: Black walnut, cherry, and other premium hardwoods see strong demand from Europe and Asia. Reduced exports soften domestic prices.
- Energy costs: Kiln drying uses substantial energy. High fuel prices increase kiln-dried lumber costs.
- Beetle kill and disease: Emerald ash borer (EAB) has removed tens of millions of ash trees from the supply chain. Pine beetle has affected western softwood supply.
- Transportation costs: Fuel prices affect haul costs from mill to dealer.
- Regional availability: Walnut is most affordable in the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest near its growing range. Cherry is cheaper in the Northeast. Shipping across regions adds significant cost.
How to Read a Lumber Price List
Retail hardwood dealer price sheets typically show: species, thickness grade (4/4, 5/4, 8/4), NHLA grade (FAS, Sel&Btr, #1 Common), moisture condition (KD or AD), and price per board foot. A listing like "4/4 Black Walnut FAS KD S2S — $13.50/BF" means: 1-inch nominal walnut, top grade, kiln-dried, surfaced two sides, at $13.50 per board foot.
To compare suppliers using different units: convert all quotes to $/BF. A home center pricing a 2×4×8 at $9.99 per board works out to $9.99 ÷ 5.33 BF = $1.88/BF — substantially higher than a mill price listed in $/MBF once converted.
Calculate Lumber Cost
To estimate cost for your project: calculate total board feet needed, multiply by the $/BF price, and add your waste allowance. The Lumber Calculator handles this automatically — enter board sizes, quantities, and price per BF or MBF and it shows a full cost breakdown.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average price of lumber per board foot?
Prices vary significantly by species, grade, region, and market conditions. Common softwood framing lumber (2×4, SPF) runs $0.50–$1.00 per board foot retail. Hardwoods range from $2–$5/BF for common species like poplar and red oak, up to $10–$20/BF for figured walnut or cherry slabs.
Why is hardwood more expensive than softwood?
Hardwood grows more slowly and takes more time to reach merchantable size. The milling and drying process is more involved (air drying can take 1–3 years), and most hardwood is sold in random widths and lengths requiring more sorting. Supply is also more regional than large-scale softwood operations.
What does $/MBF mean?
MBF means thousand board feet. Wholesale lumber — especially softwood — is often quoted in dollars per MBF. A price of $600/MBF equals $0.60 per board foot.
What causes lumber prices to change?
Housing starts drive softwood demand — more construction means higher prices. Hardwood prices are influenced by export demand (especially walnut and cherry to Asia), log supply, energy costs for kiln drying, and regional availability of specific species.
How do hardwood grades affect price per board foot?
NHLA grades determine what percentage of each board is clear (defect-free). FAS (Firsts and Seconds) is the top grade — wide, long, mostly clear — and commands the highest price. Select & Better and No. 1 Common allow more defects and are priced lower. No. 2 Common can have significant defects but still yields usable pieces. For furniture, FAS or Sel&Btr is typical; for painted or rustic projects, lower grades can save 30–50% over FAS.
Should I buy kiln-dried or air-dried lumber?
For most indoor woodworking — furniture, cabinets, flooring — kiln-dried (KD) to 6–8% moisture content is strongly recommended. It is dimensionally stable once acclimated to your shop. Air-dried lumber (typically 12–15% MC) is cheaper but requires additional time in your shop to reach equilibrium moisture content before milling. For outdoor projects or timber framing where moisture content is less critical, air-dried is an acceptable and economical choice.
How do I compare lumber prices between suppliers?
Convert all prices to the same unit ($/BF) before comparing. Home center prices are often listed per piece or per linear foot — calculate board feet per board, then divide the price by board feet to get $/BF. Hardwood dealer prices are already in $/BF. Also compare: grade (FAS vs lower grades), moisture content (KD vs green vs air-dried), and whether the price includes surfacing (S2S, S4S vs rough). A lower $/BF for rough green lumber may cost more after factoring in milling and drying.