Lumber Calculator
Calculate how much lumber you need for your project and estimate the total cost.
Calculator
Project Details
Lumber Specifications
How it Works
This lumber calculator helps you determine the quantity and cost of lumber needed for your construction project, whether you're building a deck, fence, wall, or other structure.
How It Calculates
The calculator uses the following process:
- Calculates the total linear feet needed based on your project specifications
- Determines the number of boards needed based on standard lumber lengths
- Applies a waste factor to account for cutting, errors, and defects
- Calculates the total cost based on the price per board
About Board Feet
Board feet is a common measurement in the lumber industry:
- One board foot equals a piece of wood 1 foot long × 1 foot wide × 1 inch thick
- The formula is: Length (feet) × Width (inches) × Thickness (inches) ÷ 12
- Example: An 8-foot 2×4 contains 5.33 board feet (8 × 3.5 × 1.5 ÷ 12)
About the Waste Factor
Including a waste factor is important for accurate lumber estimation:
- 5-10%: Simple projects with mostly full-length boards
- 10-15%: Standard projects with moderate cutting
- 15-20%: Complex projects with many cuts and angles
- 20%+: Projects requiring precise fitting or with complex joinery