Board Foot to Linear Foot Converter
Convert board feet to linear feet or linear feet to board feet using lumber thickness, width, quantity, nominal size, actual size, waste allowance, stock board length, board count, and material cost.
To convert board feet to linear feet, use: linear feet = board feet × 12 ÷ thickness ÷ width (thickness and width in inches). For example, 10 board feet of 1×6 lumber (actual 0.75″ × 5.5″) equals about 29 linear feet. Always use actual sizes and add 5–15% waste for cuts and defects.
Convert board feet to linear feet using thickness and width. Default: 4/4 × 6 in
⚙️ Advanced Options (Lumber category, moisture, delivery, installation)
What This Calculator Does
This Board Foot to Linear Foot Converter helps you convert between board feet (volume) and linear feet (length) using lumber thickness, width, quantity, nominal vs actual size, waste, stock length, and cost. It calculates board feet per linear foot, linear feet per board foot, board count required, waste-adjusted quantities, and detailed material costs.
The conversion features automatic nominal-to-actual size adjustment, kerf and cull allowances, multiple lumber line support, and a complete financial estimate including milling, delivery, labor, and tax.
How to Use the Board Foot to Linear Foot Converter
- Select your preferred measurement system (Imperial inches/feet or Metric mm/cm/m) and conversion direction (BF to LF, LF to BF, board count, price conversion, or custom).
- Choose your application / use case (furniture, cabinetry, shelving, decking, etc.) — this suggests appropriate waste and cost defaults.
- Select the lumber size (1×4, 2×4, 4/4 hardwood, etc.) and enter the corresponding dimensions.
- Optionally use a project template to auto-fill dimensions for common lumber types like 4/4 hardwood, 2×4 framing, or 100 board feet orders.
- Adjust for nominal vs actual size — use actual dimensions for accurate volume calculations. Add surfacing loss, planing allowance, kerf, and cull/defect allowances.
- Configure material and purchase options like surface condition, width/length type, grade, stock length, min order, and bundle size.
- Optionally enter pricing for board feet, linear feet, milling, delivery, and labor to generate a complete financial estimate.
- Adjust the waste/cull/kerf slider to configure your safety margin, then click Convert Board Feet / Linear Feet.
Board Foot / Linear Foot Reference Chart
| Lumber Size | Actual Thickness | Actual Width | BF per Linear Foot | Linear Feet per BF | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1×4 | 0.75″ | 3.5″ | 0.2188 | 4.57 | Trim, shelving |
| 1×6 | 0.75″ | 5.5″ | 0.3438 | 2.91 | Trim, shelving, furniture |
| 1×8 | 0.75″ | 7.25″ | 0.4531 | 2.21 | Shelving, wide trim |
| 1×10 | 0.75″ | 9.25″ | 0.5781 | 1.73 | Wide shelving, tabletops |
| 1×12 | 0.75″ | 11.25″ | 0.7031 | 1.42 | Wide shelving, worktops |
| 2×4 | 1.5″ | 3.5″ | 0.4375 | 2.29 | Framing, construction |
| 2×6 | 1.5″ | 5.5″ | 0.6875 | 1.45 | Framing, decking |
| 2×8 | 1.5″ | 7.25″ | 0.9063 | 1.10 | Framing, heavy load |
| 2×10 | 1.5″ | 9.25″ | 1.1563 | 0.86 | Heavy framing, beams |
| 2×12 | 1.5″ | 11.25″ | 1.4063 | 0.71 | Heavy beams, stringers |
| 4/4 Hardwood | 1.0″ (rough) | varies | varies | varies | Furniture, cabinetry |
| 5/4 Hardwood | 1.25″ (rough) | varies | varies | varies | Tabletops, thick stock |
| 6/4 Hardwood | 1.5″ (rough) | varies | varies | varies | Thick furniture, legs |
| 8/4 Hardwood | 2.0″ (rough) | varies | varies | varies | Slab stock, thick components |
Common Board Foot and Linear Foot Questions
How do I convert board feet to linear feet?
How do I convert linear feet to board feet?
What is the board foot formula?
Why do I need thickness and width to convert board feet to linear feet?
What is board feet per linear foot?
Should I use nominal or actual lumber size?
How much waste should I add when buying lumber?
How do I calculate price per linear foot from price per board foot?
Pro Tips for Buying and Converting Lumber
- Always verify actual dimensions — nominal sizes are not actual. Measure or confirm the actual thickness and width before ordering.
- Add waste for defects and grain — hardwood often has knots, checking, and grain variation that requires extra material.
- Account for surfacing loss — rough lumber loses 1/8 to 1/4 inch per face when surfaced.
- Plan for kerf — each saw cut removes about 1/8 inch of material. Add kerf allowance for multiple cuts.
- Round board count up — always order extra boards to account for defects, mistakes, and grain matching.
- Compare pricing units — hardwood is often priced per board foot; softwood and trim may be priced per linear foot.
- Consider random widths — hardwood is often sold in random widths; measure each board individually for accurate BF.
- Factor in delivery and milling — the cost of lumber is only part of the total project expense.
Complete Guide to Board Feet, Linear Feet & Lumber Cost
Understanding board feet and linear feet is essential for buying lumber efficiently and accurately estimating project costs.
Board Feet vs Linear Feet
Board feet measure volume — the amount of lumber in a board. Linear feet measure length — how long a board is. To convert between them, you need thickness and width.
Nominal vs Actual Size
Nominal size is the name of the lumber (like 2×4), but actual size is the real dimension (1.5 × 3.5). Always use actual dimensions for accurate board foot calculations.
Waste, Defects, and Kerf
Every lumber project requires extra material for waste. Add 5–10% for straight cuts, 10–15% for typical woodworking, and more for hardwood defects, grain matching, and complex cut lists. Kerf (saw blade thickness) also consumes material — about 1/8 inch per cut.
Understanding Lumber Pricing
Hardwood is typically priced per board foot. Softwood, trim, and decking are often priced per linear foot. Always confirm the pricing unit and convert to compare costs accurately. Our calculator includes price conversion between BF and LF.