How to Calculate Board Feet for My Woodworking Project?

If you're sourcing wood for a specific project, it’s best to calculate the exact dimensions of the pieces you need and bring that list with you to the lumber yard. Once you choose your boards, they’ll calculate the number of board feet for you. In my experience, most hobbyists only order by volume when buying in bulk or selecting from their inventory for a large project, so it’s not typical for individual pieces.

When figuring out your board needs, consider the rough boards' thickness, what lengths the store has, and the widths you'll actually end up needing. Rough lumber typically loses about a quarter-inch of thickness, so estimate purchasing 6/4 lumber (1.5”) to achieve that final 1.25”. Most yards have standard lengths of 9-10’, and some shorter pieces if you need them. For a project like a 1.25” x 4’ x 6’ table, I’d suggest getting at least 33% more width than you calculate and maybe even up to 50% extra, because you never get exactly what you want. Always factor in potential waste!

Kind of, but asking for a specific volume like '30 board feet' might not yield the exact sizes you want. It’s important to consider linear feet, board thickness, and what you need after finishing. If you want a final thickness of 1.25”, I recommend getting 1.5” boards. This way you can plane and sand them down. Depending on the type of wood, ask for lumber in 6/8 thickness and go a bit larger for width and length to allow for jointing and squaring.