I'm trying to get a grip on board feet measurements, and I think I'm messing up. There's a seller on marketplace offering rough sawn oak at $2 per board foot and has about 800 board feet available. The wood pieces are between 6"-10" wide, 1-3" thick, and 8'-10' long. I calculated a 6" x 1" x 10' board and came up with around $1.39, but now I'm realizing I might have done the math incorrectly. I also compared this to a typical ~$6 2x4 from Home Depot, and it seems ridiculously priced at around $13.50 per board foot if my calculations are right! Can someone help clarify how this all works?
3 Answers
The board foot measurement is a bit tricky at first, but it’s just volume. So for your size, yes, the calculation is correct: Measure in inches and divide by 144. And don’t beat yourself up about the math—you’ll get it after a few tries!
Yeah, it just takes some practice! Keep at it.
You're right about the Home Depot prices. A typical 2x4x8 actually is about 5.33 board feet, which, at $6, comes out to roughly $1.12 per board foot—not $13.50. It seems like you mixed up inches with feet in your earlier calculation. Don't worry; it happens to everyone!
Plus, remember that price can vary based on quality and whether the wood is surfaced or rough cut. You seem to be on the right track.
To get board feet, you take the length, width, and thickness in inches and divide by 144. For example, your 6" x 1" x 10' board would actually equal 5 board feet. So at $2 each, that's $10 total. Don't feel bad, everyone gets tripped up on this at some point!
Exactly! And yeah, big box stores do tend to price lumber high, especially hardwood.
Thanks for clarifying! I guess I wasn’t as far off as I thought.
Thanks! I feel much better knowing that I’m not alone in figuring this out.