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Board Feet Calculator · Free calculator

1x4 Board Feet Calculator

Every linear foot of 1x4 lumber is 0.333 board feet (nominal 1" × 4" × 12" ÷ 144). An 8-footer is 2.67 BF. Actual dressed size is 0.75" × 3.5".

Quick answer

BF per linear ft
0.333
1x4x8
2.67 BF
1x4x12
4.00 BF
Actual size
0.75" × 3.5"

▍Board Feet Calculator

in
in
ft
pcs
Waste Factor
$/BF
Total board feet
29.33BF
incl. 10% waste · 26.67 BF net
L = 8'W = 4"T = 1"
BF per piece
2.67BF
Linear feet
80.0LF
Actual size
0.75" × 3.5"
Est. cost
—

1x4 board feet by length

LengthBF per boardBF × 10 boardsBoards per 1,000 BF
1x4x82.6726.7375
1x4x103.3333.3300
1x4x124.0040.0250
1x4x144.6746.7215
1x4x165.3353.3188
1x4x206.6766.7150

Board feet per linear foot — all common sizes

NominalActualBF / LFLF per 100 BF
1x40.75" × 3.5"0.333300.0
1x60.75" × 5.5"0.500200.0
1x80.75" × 7.25"0.667150.0
1x120.75" × 11.25"1.000100.0
2x41.5" × 3.5"0.667150.0
2x61.5" × 5.5"1.000100.0
2x81.5" × 7.25"1.33375.0
2x101.5" × 9.25"1.66760.0
2x121.5" × 11.25"2.00050.0
4x43.5" × 3.5"1.33375.0
4x63.5" × 5.5"2.00050.0
6x65.5" × 5.5"3.00033.3

How the math works

  1. Board feet = thickness (in) × width (in) × length (ft) ÷ 12
  2. 1x4x8: 1 × 4 × 8 ÷ 12 = 2.67 BF
  3. Per linear foot: 1 × 4 ÷ 12 = 0.333 BF

Board feet are always figured from NOMINAL size for softwood dimensional lumber, even though a 2x is really 1-1/2" thick.

Trade pro tips

  • Hardwood is sold by the board foot in quarters (4/4 = 1", 8/4 = 2") of rough thickness.
  • Lumber yards quote framing by MBF (1,000 board feet) — divide the MBF price by 1,000 for $/BF.
  • Add 10–15% waste for defects and cut-offs.

Frequently asked questions

How many board feet are in a 1x4x8?

2.67 board feet (1 × 4 × 8 ÷ 12).

How many board feet in a 1x4x12 and 1x4x16?

1x4x12 = 4.00 BF; 1x4x16 = 5.33 BF.

How many 1x4x8s are in 1,000 board feet?

375 pieces (1,000 ÷ 2.67).

What is the actual size of a 1x4?

0.75" × 3.5" after drying and planing. Board feet are still calculated on the nominal 1" × 4".