Input Values
Result
This equals 120.00 square feet of 1″ thick lumber.
Understanding Your Conversion
Small Coverage (< 50 sq.ft)
Suitable for small projects like tabletops, shelves, or accent walls. Requires minimal lumber and easy to handle.
Medium Coverage (50-200 sq.ft)
Perfect for medium projects like flooring a small room, wall paneling, or outdoor decks. Plan for 10-15% extra for waste.
Large Coverage (> 200 sq.ft)
Ideal for major projects like full room flooring, large decks, or extensive wall coverage. Consider bulk pricing and delivery logistics.
What is the Square Feet to Board Feet Calculator?
Practical Conversion Examples
Small Room Flooring (3/4″ thickness)
Calculate lumber needed for a 10ft × 12ft room using standard 3/4″ flooring boards.
Calculation Steps
- Area: 10ft × 12ft = 120 square feet
- Thickness: 0.75 inches (3/4")
- Field note: Nashville-based flooring firm Bluegrass Floors uses this workflow for boutique retail build-outs.
- Calculation: 120 × (0.75 ÷ 12) = 7.5 board feet
- Add 10% waste: 7.5 × 1.1 = 8.25 board feet
Deck Surface (1.5″ thickness)
Estimate lumber for a 12ft × 16ft deck using 2x6 boards (1.5″ actual thickness).
Calculation Steps
- Area: 12ft × 16ft = 192 square feet
- Thickness: 1.5 inches
- Calculation: 192 × (1.5 ÷ 12) = 24 board feet
- Add 15% waste: 24 × 1.15 = 27.6 board feet
Tabletop (1″ thickness)
Calculate lumber for a 3ft × 6ft dining table using 1″ thick hardwood.
Calculation Steps
- Area: 3ft × 6ft = 18 square feet
- Thickness: 1 inch
- Calculation: 18 × (1 ÷ 12) = 1.5 board feet
- Add 20% for joinery: 1.5 × 1.2 = 1.8 board feet
Wall Paneling (0.5″ thickness)
Estimate lumber for an 8ft × 10ft accent wall using 1/2″ paneling.
Calculation Steps
- Area: 8ft × 10ft = 80 square feet
- Thickness: 0.5 inches (1/2″)
- Calculation: 80 × (0.5 ÷ 12) = 3.33 board feet
- Add 10% waste: 3.33 × 1.1 = 3.67 board feet
Bookshelf (2″ thickness)
Calculate lumber for 5 shelves, each 1ft × 3ft, using 2″ thick boards.
Calculation Steps
- Area per shelf: 1ft × 3ft = 3 square feet
- Total area: 3 × 5 shelves = 15 square feet
- Thickness: 2 inches
- Calculation: 15 × (2 ÷ 12) = 2.5 board feet
How to Use the Square Feet to Board Feet Calculator
Choose Conversion Direction
Select whether you want to convert from Square Feet to Board Feet or vice versa. The default direction is Square Feet → Board Feet for project planning.
Enter Square Footage
Input the total area you need to cover in square feet. For example, a 10ft × 12ft room would be 120 square feet.
Select Lumber Thickness
Choose the thickness of lumber you plan to use. Common options include 0.75″ (3/4″), 1″, 1.5″, and 2″. You can also enter custom thickness values.
View Result
The calculator instantly shows the board feet needed, along with the calculation formula and step-by-step explanation. Use this to order the correct amount of lumber.
Why Use the Square Feet to Board Feet Calculator?
Accurate Material Estimation
Convert area measurements to lumber volume instantly. Our approach mirrors the workflow described in the APA's floor system design bulletins so you order the right amount of lumber without shortages or excess waste.
Project Planning
Plan your lumber purchases before starting the project. Compare different lumber thicknesses to find the most cost-effective option for your needs.
Budget Control
Calculate exact lumber requirements to get accurate price quotes from suppliers. Helps you stay within budget and avoid unexpected costs.
Professional Results
Make informed decisions about lumber selection. Understanding the relationship between area and volume helps you choose the right materials for structural integrity and aesthetics.
Understanding the Parameters
Square Feet
The total surface area you need to cover, measured in square feet. Calculate this by multiplying length × width in feet.
Board Feet
The volume measurement for lumber, calculated as length (ft) × width (in) × thickness (in) ÷ 12. This is the standard unit for lumber pricing.
Thickness
The thickness of the lumber in inches. This is crucial for the conversion because it determines the volume. Common thicknesses include 0.75″, 1″, 1.5″, and 2″.
Conversion Formula
Understanding the Math Behind the Conversion
Square Feet to Board Feet
To convert square feet to board feet, multiply the area by the thickness factor. The division by 12 converts the thickness from inches to feet, giving you the volume in board feet.
Board Feet = Square Feet × (Thickness in inches ÷ 12)
Example: 120 sq.ft × (1″ ÷ 12) = 10 board feet
Board Feet to Square Feet
To convert board feet back to square feet, divide the volume by the thickness factor. This tells you how much area a given amount of lumber will cover at a specific thickness.
Square Feet = Board Feet ÷ (Thickness in inches ÷ 12)
Example: 10 board feet ÷ (1″ ÷ 12) = 120 square feet
Why Thickness Matters
Board feet measures volume (3D), while square feet measures area (2D). The thickness bridges these two measurements. Thicker lumber has more volume per square foot of coverage.
Volume = Area × Thickness
Example: Same area with 2″ lumber requires twice the board feet as 1″ lumber
Frequently Asked Questions
To calculate board feet from square feet, you need to know the lumber thickness. Multiply the square footage by the thickness in inches, then divide by 12. For example, 120 square feet of 1-inch thick lumber equals 10 board feet (120 × 1 ÷ 12 = 10). The thickness is essential because board feet measures volume, not just area.
Board feet is a volume measurement (length × width × thickness), while square feet only measures area (length × width). The thickness determines how much wood volume is in each square foot of coverage. Thicker lumber contains more material per square foot, resulting in higher board feet. For example, 100 square feet of 2-inch lumber is 16.67 board feet, while the same area in 1-inch lumber is only 8.33 board feet.
For flooring, standard thickness is 3/4 inch (0.75″), which provides good durability and stability. For furniture tabletops, 1 inch to 1.5 inches is common for solid wood construction. Shelving typically uses 3/4 inch to 1 inch depending on span and load. Outdoor decking usually requires 1.5 inches (actual thickness of 2x6 boards) for structural strength. Always check local building codes for structural applications.
Lumber is typically priced per board foot, not per square foot. By converting your project's square footage to board feet, you can accurately calculate material costs. For example, if you need to cover 200 square feet with 1-inch lumber (16.67 board feet) and lumber costs $5 per board foot, your material cost would be approximately $83.35. This helps you compare prices between suppliers and stay within budget.
Yes! This calculator supports bidirectional conversion. If you know how many board feet of lumber you have and its thickness, you can calculate how much area it will cover. Simply switch the conversion direction to 'Board Feet → Square Feet'. For example, 10 board feet of 1-inch lumber will cover 120 square feet (10 ÷ (1 ÷ 12) = 120).
Coverage area (square feet) measures the surface you can cover, while board feet measures the volume of lumber. The same board feet can cover different areas depending on thickness. For instance, 12 board feet of 1-inch lumber covers 144 square feet, but 12 board feet of 2-inch lumber only covers 72 square feet. Always consider thickness when planning projects to ensure you order the correct amount of lumber.