Board Foot Conversion Chart: Linear Feet, Square Feet, and Common Lumber Sizes
This chart shows board foot values for common lumber dimensions. Use it to quickly estimate material needs without doing the math every time. All values are for actual dimensions, not nominal.
| Lumber Size (Actual) | Length (ft) | Board Feet | Linear Feet per BF |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1x4 (3/4 × 3-1/2) | 8 | 2.33 | 3.43 |
| 1x6 (3/4 × 5-1/2) | 8 | 3.67 | 2.18 |
| 1x8 (3/4 × 7-1/4) | 8 | 4.83 | 1.66 |
| 1x12 (3/4 × 11-1/4) | 8 | 7.50 | 1.07 |
| 2x4 (1-1/2 × 3-1/2) | 8 | 3.50 | 2.29 |
| 2x6 (1-1/2 × 5-1/2) | 8 | 5.50 | 1.45 |
| 2x8 (1-1/2 × 7-1/4) | 8 | 7.25 | 1.10 |
| 2x12 (1-1/2 × 11-1/4) | 8 | 11.25 | 0.71 |
| 4/4 hardwood (13/16 × 6) | 8 | 4.00 | 2.00 |
| 4/4 hardwood (13/16 × 8) | 8 | 5.33 | 1.50 |
| 8/4 hardwood (1-3/4 × 6) | 8 | 7.00 | 1.14 |
| 8/4 hardwood (1-3/4 × 8) | 8 | 9.33 | 0.86 |
How to Read This Chart
Find your lumber size in the first column. The Board Feet column shows how many board feet are in one piece at that length. The Linear Feet per BF column tells you how many running feet you get per board foot, useful for pricing comparisons.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many board feet are in a 2x4x8?+
3.5 board feet using actual dimensions (1.5 × 3.5 × 96 ÷ 144). Using nominal dimensions (2 × 4 × 96 ÷ 144), it's 5.33 board feet.
How do I convert linear feet to board feet?+
Multiply linear feet by the width in inches by the thickness in inches, then divide by 144. For example, 10 linear feet of 1x6: 10 × 6 × 1 ÷ 12 = 5 board feet.
Is this chart for rough or surfaced lumber?+
This chart uses actual (surfaced) dimensions. For rough sawn lumber, use nominal dimensions. Rough 4/4 is calculated as 1 inch thick, not 13/16 inch.