CALCULATING

BOARDFOOT OF
LUMBER
INTRODUCTION:
Although the International System (SI) or
Metric System had already superseded the
English System of measure, the board foot as a
unit of measure for determining the volume of
lumber is still being used by the furniture &
cabinet maker and construction industry. This
is because lumbers are sold in terms of board
foot.
Did you know how to calculate
boardfoot?

What is a board foot?

A board foot is actually one square foot of
lumber of one inch thick
The formula used in computing board foot
is:
• Board foot (Bd. Ft.) = T x W x L 
12 
• Where: 
• T = Thickness in inches
• W= Width in inches
• L = Length in feet

• Note: This formula is being used for sawed wood of

commercial dimension.
Example: Compute the board foot of lumber
whose dimension is 2” x 4 “x 12’
Step 1. Identify the given data

• Given:
T = 2”
W = 4”
L = 12’
Example: Compute the board foot of lumber
whose dimension is 2” x 4 “x 12’
Step 2. Determine what is being
asked
 
•Find the Bd. Ft. = ?
Example: Compute the board foot of lumber
whose dimension is 2” x 4 “x 12’
Step 3. State the formula

•Formula: Bd. Ft. = T x W x L

12
•Step 4. Substitute the given data in the formula, then solve.
•Solution: 
Bd. Ft. = T x W x L
12 
= 2” x 4” x 12’
12
= 96/12
= 8 Bd. Ft.
Problem Example: Mang Pedro needed to have a piece of 2”x3”x12’
lawaan lumber for his project, a wooden chair. Compute the boardfeet
of lumber he needed to buy to his supplier.
•Solution: 
Bd. Ft. = T x W x L
12 
= 2” x 3” x 12’
12
= 72/12
= 6 Bd. Ft.