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Board Feet Calculator · Free calculator

2x4 Board Feet Calculator

Every linear foot of 2x4 lumber is 0.667 board feet (nominal 2" × 4" × 12" ÷ 144). An 8-footer is 5.33 BF. Actual dressed size is 1.5" × 3.5".

Quick answer

BF per linear ft
0.667
2x4x8
5.33 BF
2x4x12
8.00 BF
Actual size
1.5" × 3.5"

▍Board Feet Calculator

in
in
ft
pcs
Waste Factor
$/BF
Total board feet
58.67BF
incl. 10% waste · 53.33 BF net
L = 8'W = 4"T = 2"
BF per piece
5.33BF
Linear feet
80.0LF
Actual size
1.5" × 3.5"
Est. cost
—

2x4 board feet by length

LengthBF per boardBF × 10 boardsBoards per 1,000 BF
2x4x85.3353.3188
2x4x106.6766.7150
2x4x128.0080.0125
2x4x149.3393.3108
2x4x1610.67106.794
2x4x2013.33133.375

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. 2x4x8: 2 × 4 × 8 ÷ 12 = 5.33 BF
  3. Per linear foot: 2 × 4 ÷ 12 = 0.667 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 2x4x8?

5.33 board feet (2 × 4 × 8 ÷ 12).

How many board feet in a 2x4x12 and 2x4x16?

2x4x12 = 8.00 BF; 2x4x16 = 10.67 BF.

How many 2x4x8s are in 1,000 board feet?

188 pieces (1,000 ÷ 5.33).

What is the actual size of a 2x4?

1.5" × 3.5" after drying and planing. Board feet are still calculated on the nominal 2" × 4".