What is meant by "board feet" of lumber?

All lumber is identified by its dimensions. Board footage is calculated by using the nominal dimensions, or the named dimensions, of the wood product and only applies to sawn wood products. The actual dimensions of the wood product are not the same as the nominal dimensions. The nominal or named dimension of a 2x4 refers to a piece of lumber that is 2" in depth and 4" in width. However, the actual dimensions are 1.5" in depth and 3.5" in width. One board foot of lumber is the volume equal to a piece of lumber 1" thick, 12" wide and 12" long. To calculate the board feet of a piece lumber, multiply the nominal width (in inches) by the nominal thickness (in inches) by the length (in feet) and divide by 12. Example: A 2 x 4 x 8 is measured two inches (in depth) by four inches (in width) by eight feet (in length). Do the math: 2 x 4 = 8; 8 x 8 = 64; 64 divided by 12 = 5.3333 One board of 2 x 4 x 8 has 5.333 (or 5 and a third) board feet in it. A standard pack of 2 x 4 x 8 has 192 pieces ...  more

All lumber is identified by its dimensions. Board footage is calculated by using the nominal dimensions, or the named dimensions, of the wood product and only applies to sawn wood products. The actual dimensions of the wood product are not the same as the nominal dimensions. The nominal or named dimension of a 2x4 refers to a piece of lumber that is 2" in depth and 4" in width. However, the actual dimensions are 1.5" in depth and 3.5" in width. One board foot of lumber is the volume equal to a piece of lumber 1" thick, 12" wide and 12" long. To calculate the board feet of a piece lumber, multiply the nominal width (in inches) by the nominal thickness (in inches) by the length (in feet) and divide by 12. Example: A 2 x 4 x 8 is measured two inches (in depth) by four inches (in width) by eight feet (in length). Do the math: 2 x 4 = 8; 8 x 8 = 64; 64 divided by 12 = 5.3333 One board of 2 x 4 x 8 has 5.333 (or 5 and a third) board feet in it.  more