Whether you’re a weekend woodworker, a construction pro, or just someone tackling a home improvement project, you’ve likely heard the term “BD FT” — short for board foot. But what exactly does it mean, and how do you calculate it?
That’s where the Bd Ft Calculator
comes in. It’s a simple tool that saves time, prevents costly mistakes, and helps you understand exactly how much lumber you’re dealing with.
Let’s dive in. 👇
🪵 What Is a Board Foot?
A board foot is a unit of volume used in the lumber industry. It’s the standard way to measure wood in North America.
1 board foot =
1 inch thick × 12 inches wide × 12 inches long
In other words, it’s the volume of a board that’s 1” x 12” x 12”.
📏 The Board Foot Formula
To manually calculate board feet:
(Thickness × Width × Length) ÷ 144 = Board Feet
All measurements should be in inches.
Example:
A board that’s 2 inches thick, 6 inches wide, and 10 feet long (120 inches):
(2 × 6 × 120) ÷ 144 = 10 BD FT
🔧 What Is a BD FT Calculator?
A BD FT Calculator is an online or app-based tool that does this calculation for you. No pen, paper, or brain strain required.
You simply enter:
Thickness (in inches)
Width (in inches)
Length (in inches or feet)
Quantity of boards
The calculator instantly tells you how many board feet of lumber you have (or need).
✅ Benefits of Using a BD FT Calculator
Using a calculator isn’t just convenient—it’s essential if you want to:
🔍 Get accurate estimates
🧾 Plan your budget
🧱 Avoid running short on materials
💸 Prevent overspending at the lumberyard
🛒 Buy the exact amount of wood needed for your project
It’s a must-have tool for woodworkers, contractors, and DIYers alike.
🌐 Try a Free BD FT Calculator
There are tons of calculators online—but not all are user-friendly.
If you want a fast, reliable, and mobile-friendly tool, check out this one:
👉 [Insert your URL here]
You’ll get real-time board foot results, and some tools even estimate the cost of lumber based on price per board foot.
📦 Bonus Tip: Buying Lumber by the BD FT
When purchasing wood, lumberyards usually price boards by the board foot. That means knowing how to calculate BD FT helps you compare prices better and avoid being overcharged.