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Wooden Board Feet Calculator

Board Feet Formula:

\[ \text{Board Feet} = \frac{\text{Thickness (in)} \times \text{Width (in)} \times \text{Length (ft)}}{12} \]

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1. What is Board Feet?

Board feet is a unit of measurement for the volume of lumber. One board foot equals 144 cubic inches (12" × 12" × 1") and is used to quantify how much wood a board contains.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the board feet formula:

\[ \text{Board Feet} = \frac{\text{Thickness (in)} \times \text{Width (in)} \times \text{Length (ft)}}{12} \]

Where:

Explanation: The formula accounts for all three dimensions of the lumber and converts them into a standardized volume measurement.

3. Importance of Board Feet Calculation

Details: Accurate board feet calculation is crucial for lumber pricing, project planning, and material estimation in woodworking and construction.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter thickness and width in inches, length in feet. All values must be positive numbers. The calculator will compute the board footage.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why divide by 12 in the formula?
A: We divide by 12 to convert the length from feet to inches (1 foot = 12 inches) in the cubic volume calculation.

Q2: How do I measure thickness and width?
A: Measure the actual thickness and width of the board in inches at its thickest/widest points.

Q3: Does board feet account for wood defects?
A: No, board feet measures gross volume. You may need to deduct for knots, cracks, or other defects separately.

Q4: What's the difference between board feet and linear feet?
A: Linear feet only considers length, while board feet accounts for all three dimensions (thickness, width, and length).

Q5: How accurate is this calculation?
A: The calculation is mathematically precise, but actual usable wood may vary based on milling and defects.

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