Board feet to linear feet calculator
Linear feet depend on the board’s cross-section. Enter the board feet plus the thickness and width you are buying to get linear feet.
Enter your measurements
More options: Price per linear length · Boards thinner than 1 in
- Length per board foot
- 2 ft
- Boards of that length
- 25 boards
100 bd ft × 12 ÷ (1 in × 6 in) = 200 ft
200 ft ÷ 8 ft boards = 25 → 25 boards before waste
Quick answers for common sizes
| Example | Answer |
|---|---|
| 100 board feet of 4/4 × 6 in in linear feet | 200 ft |
Linear length by board width (same board feet and thickness)
| Width | Linear length | Length per board foot | Boards of that length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 in | 400 ft | 4 ft | 50 boards |
| 4 in | 300 ft | 3 ft | 38 boards |
| 6 in | 200 ft | 2 ft | 25 boards |
| 8 in | 150 ft | 1.5 ft | 19 boards |
| 10 in | 120 ft | 1.2 ft | 15 boards |
| 12 in | 100 ft | 1 ft | 13 boards |
A 1×12 has one board foot per linear foot; a 1×6 has two linear feet per board foot. Starting from board sizes instead? Use the board foot calculator, or the hardwood tally calculator for a stack of random-width boards. New to this? Words explained.
The conversion
Divide the board-foot volume by the board’s cross-section. In inches, the cross-section of one linear foot of board is thickness × width ÷ 12 board feet, so:
linear feet = board feet × 12 ÷ (thickness in × width in) board feet = linear feet × thickness in × width in ÷ 12
Example: 100 board feet of 4/4 × 6 in lumber is 100 × 12 ÷ (1 × 6) = 200 linear feet — worked through board by board in 100 board feet of 4/4 × 6 in in linear feet. The same 100 board feet of 8/4 × 6 in is only 100 linear feet, because each foot of board is twice as thick.
| Nominal size | Board feet per linear foot | Linear feet per board foot |
|---|---|---|
| 1×4 | 0.333 | 3 |
| 1×6 | 0.5 | 2 |
| 1×8 | 0.667 | 1.5 |
| 1×12 | 1 | 1 |
| 2×4 | 0.667 | 1.5 |
| 2×6 | 1 | 1 |
| 2×8 | 1.333 | 0.75 |
| 2×12 | 2 | 0.5 |
| 4×4 | 1.333 | 0.75 |
When you need this
- Comparing prices. Trim, flooring and some softwood boards are priced per linear foot; hardwood is priced per board foot. Enter a linear price and the calculator shows the equivalent board-foot price.
- Turning a hardwood order into boards. If a cut list totals 60 board feet of 4/4 × 6 in, that is 120 linear feet — fifteen 8 ft boards before waste.
- Trim and moulding. These are almost always bought by the linear foot, so measure run length directly and skip board feet altogether.
Thin stock: 3/4 in and under
Hardwood sawn thinner than 1 in is tallied as if it were 1 in under the NHLA rules, so its board feet equal its surface measure. That changes the conversion: 100 board feet of 3/4 × 6 in stock is 200 linear feet on the yard tally, the same as 4/4, but 267 linear feet if you work from its true volume. The calculator uses the yard tally by default; switch to True volume under More options for the real thickness.
For the full list of sizes, see the board foot chart.
CalculatorBoard Foot Calculator →Going the other way — from board sizes to board feet?What you’ll need
- Digital calipersBudget price
For measuring actual board and plywood thickness to the thousandth — useful for sizing dadoes and checking planed stock.
See options on Amazon (opens in a new tab) - 25 ft tape measureBudget price
A 25 ft tape with a stiff blade and a readable 1/16 in scale covers everything from cut lists to deck layout.
See options on Amazon (opens in a new tab) - Ratchet tie-down strapsBudget price
Holds a load of lumber on a roof rack, trailer or truck bed. Strap long loads at two points and flag the overhang.
See options on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links to products are affiliate links — they cost you nothing extra and help keep these calculators free.
Frequently asked questions
How many linear feet are in 100 board feet?
It depends on the size: 200 linear feet of 4/4 × 6 in (see 100 board feet of 4/4 × 6 in in linear feet), 100 of 4/4 × 12 in, and 150 of 2×4.
How do you convert linear feet to board feet?
Multiply linear feet by thickness (in) and width (in), then divide by 12. Ten linear feet of 2×6 is 10 × 2 × 6 ÷ 12 = 10 board feet.
Is a linear foot the same as a board foot for a 1×12?
Yes, nominally: a 1×12 is 1 × 12 × 1 ÷ 12 = 1 board foot per linear foot. That is the only common board size where the two numbers match — along with a 2×6.
Related guides
Sources
- NIST, Voluntary Product Standard PS 20-20, American Softwood Lumber Standard (Rev. 1, 2021) (opens in a new tab) — Softwood board measure on nominal size.
- American Hardwood Export Council, The Illustrated Guide to American Hardwood Lumber Grades (opens in a new tab) — Hardwood board feet, surface measure and quarter thicknesses.
- National Hardwood Lumber Association, Rules for the Measurement & Inspection of Hardwood & Cypress (2019) (opens in a new tab) — Paragraphs 16 and 18: standard thicknesses under 1 in are measured as 1 in.