🪵 Construction

Lumber Calculator

Free online lumber volume estimator. Supports square timber, boards, and round logs — enter dimensions and quantity to get total board feet (BF) and cubic meters, with adjustable waste factor.

🪵 Calculation Mode

📊 Waste Settings

10-15% recommended to cover saw kerf, knots, and defects

--
cubic meters (m³) with waste
Theoretical Volume
--
Board Feet (BF)
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Per Piece Volume
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Total Quantity
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📝 Formula:
Per Piece Volume = --
Theoretical Total = Per Piece × Quantity = --
Actual Volume = Theoretical × (1 + Waste%) = --

About Lumber Volume Calculation

Accurate lumber volume estimation is essential for construction budgeting and material ordering. Different lumber shapes require different calculation methods: square timber and boards use length × width × thickness, while round logs use the cylinder formula.

Note that nominal sizes like 2×4 are actually 1.5×3.5 inches after planing — always use actual dimensions for volume calculations. 1 cubic meter equals approximately 424 board feet.

❓ FAQ

What's the difference between square timber and board modes?

The formula is the same (L×W×T), but square timber typically refers to thicker structural members (e.g., 10×10cm posts), while boards are thinner sheets (e.g., 18mm plywood). The calculator provides separate quick-entry tabs for convenience.

How is round log volume calculated?

Using the cylinder formula: volume = π × (diameter ÷ 2)² × length. Professional forestry uses detailed log volume tables for higher precision, but this provides a quick estimate.

What is a board foot (BF)?

A board foot is the standard unit in North American lumber trade. 1 BF = 1 inch thick × 12 inches wide × 12 inches long. It's widely used in the US, Canada, and for imported lumber pricing.