A: Calculating Lumber*
1. Board Measure - Is the term to indicate that board foot is the unit of measurement for most
lumber items. A board foot is defined as a piece one inch thick (nominal) by one foot wide (nominal) by one foot long (actual)
or its equivalent. For instance, a 2x6 also equals one board foot for each foot of length.
Board footage is calculated by multiplying the nominal thickness in inches (T) by the nominal width (W) by
the actual length in feet (L) and dividing by 12. The formula is:
T x W x L
= Board Feet
12
2. Surface Measure - Surface measure
is calculated by multiplying width by length. For example: a piece of 3/4" BB 4x8 Plyform equals 32 sf.
W x L
= Surface Measure
*This information is quoted from the Western Wood Products Association
