Board Foot Reference Tables
Complete reference data for estimating reclaimed lumber quantities: board feet per linear foot, coverage tables for walls, floors, and decks, species weights, and a step-by-step measuring guide.
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How to Use These Tables
Board Foot Formula
Board Feet = (Thickness" × Width" × Length'). Divide by 12 if thickness or width are in inches while length is in feet. Example: a 2×6 that is 10 feet long = (2 × 6 × 10) ÷ 12 = 10 board feet.
Nominal vs. Actual
Lumber is sold by nominal size (2×4) but is physically smaller. Board feet are calculated using nominal dimensions — not actual. So a 2×4 at 8 ft = (2 × 4 × 8) ÷ 12 = 5.33 BF, even though the actual board is 1½" × 3½".
Reclaimed Variance
Reclaimed lumber may be full-dimension (true 2×4 = exactly 2" × 4") because it predates modern size standards. When ordering, confirm whether stock is nominal or full-dimension to avoid quantity errors on large projects.
Board Feet per Linear Foot — All Standard Sizes
Use this table to convert linear footage into board feet for any standard dimensional size. Board feet per linear foot is calculated using nominal dimensions (thickness × width ÷ 12).
| Nominal Size | Nom. Thickness | Nom. Width | Actual Thickness | Actual Width | BF per Linear Foot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1×2 | 1" | 2" | ¾" | 1½" | 0.167 |
| 1×3 | 1" | 3" | ¾" | 2½" | 0.250 |
| 1×4 | 1" | 4" | ¾" | 3½" | 0.333 |
| 1×6 | 1" | 6" | ¾" | 5½" | 0.500 |
| 1×8 | 1" | 8" | ¾" | 7¼" | 0.667 |
| 1×10 | 1" | 10" | ¾" | 9¼" | 0.833 |
| 1×12 | 1" | 12" | ¾" | 11¼" | 1.000 |
| 2×2 | 2" | 2" | 1½" | 1½" | 0.333 |
| 2×3 | 2" | 3" | 1½" | 2½" | 0.500 |
| 2×4 | 2" | 4" | 1½" | 3½" | 0.667 |
| 2×6 | 2" | 6" | 1½" | 5½" | 1.000 |
| 2×8 | 2" | 8" | 1½" | 7¼" | 1.333 |
| 2×10 | 2" | 10" | 1½" | 9¼" | 1.667 |
| 2×12 | 2" | 12" | 1½" | 11¼" | 2.000 |
| 3×6 | 3" | 6" | 2½" | 5½" | 1.500 |
| 3×8 | 3" | 8" | 2½" | 7¼" | 2.000 |
| 3×12 | 3" | 12" | 2½" | 11¼" | 3.000 |
| 4×4 | 4" | 4" | 3½" | 3½" | 1.333 |
| 4×6 | 4" | 6" | 3½" | 5½" | 2.000 |
| 4×8 | 4" | 8" | 3½" | 7¼" | 2.667 |
| 4×10 | 4" | 10" | 3½" | 9¼" | 3.333 |
| 4×12 | 4" | 12" | 3½" | 11¼" | 4.000 |
| 6×6 | 6" | 6" | 5½" | 5½" | 3.000 |
| 6×8 | 6" | 8" | 5½" | 7½" | 4.000 |
| 6×10 | 6" | 10" | 5½" | 9½" | 5.000 |
| 6×12 | 6" | 12" | 5½" | 11½" | 6.000 |
| 8×8 | 8" | 8" | 7½" | 7½" | 5.333 |
| 8×10 | 8" | 10" | 7½" | 9½" | 6.667 |
| 8×12 | 8" | 12" | 7½" | 11½" | 8.000 |
| 10×10 | 10" | 10" | 9½" | 9½" | 8.333 |
| 12×12 | 12" | 12" | 11½" | 11½" | 12.000 |
* Actual dimensions follow standard surfaced lumber. Full-dimension reclaimed lumber (common in pre-1960 old-growth material) may be true to nominal size. Confirm with our team when ordering.
Wall Coverage Table
Coverage values are based on face width only (no gap). Add a 15–20% waste factor for typical wall installations with cuts around outlets, windows, and corners. Shiplap requires an additional 20% for lap overlap.
| Profile / Size | Face Coverage | Linear Ft per Sq Ft | BF per Sq Ft | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1×4 | 3½" | 3.43 LF | 1.14 | Common shiplap / board-and-batten |
| 1×6 | 5½" | 2.18 LF | 1.09 | Most popular wall profile |
| 1×8 | 7¼" | 1.66 LF | 1.10 | Wide plank accent walls |
| 1×10 | 9¼" | 1.30 LF | 1.08 | Barn board look |
| 1×12 | 11¼" | 1.07 LF | 1.07 | Wide plank, fewer seams |
| T&G 1×6 | 5⅛" | 2.34 LF | 1.17 | Tongue-and-groove, no gaps |
| T&G 1×8 | 7⅛" | 1.69 LF | 1.12 | Tongue-and-groove, no gaps |
| Shiplap 1×6 | 5" | 2.40 LF | 1.20 | Add 20% waste factor for shiplap |
Quick Wall Estimate
Multiply your wall square footage by the BF per Sq Ft value for your chosen profile, then add 15% for waste. Example: a 10 ft × 8 ft accent wall (80 sq ft) using 1×6 boards = 80 × 1.09 = 87 BF + 15% waste = 100 board feet to order.
Flooring Coverage Table
Flooring requires more waste allowance than wall work due to end-matching, staggering, and diagonal cuts at room perimeters. The values below show board feet needed per 100 square feet of finished floor, including the listed waste factor.
| Floor Width | BF per Sq Ft (net) | Recommended Waste Factor | BF per 100 Sq Ft (w/ waste) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2¼" strip | 1.10 | 15% | 127 BF | Standard strip flooring |
| 3" strip | 1.07 | 12% | 120 BF | Common reclaimed floor width |
| 4" plank | 1.05 | 10% | 116 BF | Versatile reclaimed plank |
| 5" plank | 1.05 | 10% | 116 BF | Wide plank, popular for reclaimed |
| 6" plank | 1.04 | 8% | 112 BF | Old-growth wide plank |
| 8" plank | 1.03 | 7% | 110 BF | Antique wide plank, less cutting waste |
| 10"–12" plank | 1.02 | 6% | 108 BF | Heart Pine / old-growth Fir planks |
* Add an additional 5% waste for diagonal or herringbone layouts. Reclaimed flooring with high character may require an additional 5–10% to account for pieces with excessive checks or knots that must be culled.
Deck Coverage Table
Deck boards are typically spaced ⅛" to ¼" apart for drainage. The table below uses a ⅛" gap. Add 10–15% waste for end cuts and staggered joints. Note that deck boards are sold in specific lengths; order in the longest lengths available to minimize end splices.
| Deck Board Size | Net Face Coverage | LF per 100 Sq Ft | BF per 100 Sq Ft | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/4×4 deck board | 3½" | 343 LF | 357 BF | Residential deck standard |
| 5/4×6 deck board | 5½" | 218 LF | 227 BF | Most common deck board |
| 2×4 on edge | 3½" | 343 LF | 457 BF | Heavy-duty / commercial decks |
| 2×6 on edge | 5½" | 218 LF | 364 BF | Boardwalk / heavy commercial |
| 1×4 (interior deck) | 3½" | 343 LF | 286 BF | Covered porch, protected decks |
| 1×6 (interior deck) | 5½" | 218 LF | 182 BF | Covered porch, protected decks |
Weight Estimation by Species
Weight matters for structural planning, freight cost estimation, and floor loading calculations. Green (freshly sawn) lumber can weigh 50–100% more than kiln-dried material. All values below are approximate and vary with moisture content, sapwood/heartwood ratio, and growth density.
| Species | Green Lbs per BF | Dried Lbs per BF | Density (dried) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Douglas Fir | 3.5–4.0 | 2.5–3.0 | 30–36 lbs/ft³ | Most common reclaimed species in LA |
| Heart Pine | 4.2–4.8 | 3.0–3.5 | 36–42 lbs/ft³ | Very dense; old-growth is heavier |
| Redwood | 3.0–3.5 | 2.0–2.5 | 24–30 lbs/ft³ | Lighter than most; good for decks |
| White Oak | 4.8–5.5 | 3.6–4.2 | 43–50 lbs/ft³ | Heavy hardwood; plan for support |
| Red Oak | 4.5–5.2 | 3.4–4.0 | 41–48 lbs/ft³ | Similar to White Oak in weight |
| Maple (Hard) | 4.5–5.2 | 3.5–4.0 | 42–48 lbs/ft³ | Dense and stable for flooring |
| Elm | 4.0–4.5 | 3.0–3.5 | 36–42 lbs/ft³ | Interlocked grain, heavy for size |
| Cedar (Western Red) | 2.5–3.0 | 1.8–2.2 | 21–26 lbs/ft³ | Lightest common species; rot resistant |
| Fir (Old-Growth) | 4.0–4.5 | 2.8–3.2 | 34–38 lbs/ft³ | Denser than modern Fir |
| Chestnut | 3.2–3.8 | 2.4–2.8 | 28–34 lbs/ft³ | Historic; mostly barn salvage |
| Pine (Southern Yellow) | 4.0–4.5 | 2.8–3.3 | 34–40 lbs/ft³ | Varies by pitch content significantly |
| Ash | 4.2–4.8 | 3.2–3.8 | 38–46 lbs/ft³ | Good for tool handles & sports use |
Freight Weight Calculation
To estimate freight weight: multiply your total board feet by the dried lbs/BF for your species. Add 10% for dunnage (blocking and banding materials). Example: 1,000 BF of Douglas Fir at 2.75 lbs/BF = 2,750 lbs + 10% = approx. 3,025 lbs gross shipping weight. This falls under standard LTL freight class 70.
Floor Load Planning
A typical residential floor is engineered for 40 psf live load + 10–15 psf dead load. A 1,000 BF pallet of kiln-dried Douglas Fir weighs approximately 2,500–3,000 lbs. Distribute heavy material deliveries across multiple areas of the floor rather than staging everything in one spot.
How to Measure Your Project — Step-by-Step
Follow these steps for any reclaimed lumber project to arrive at a confident quantity estimate before requesting a quote. Our sales team can verify your calculation when you contact us.
Measure Total Square Footage
For walls: multiply height × width of each wall section, then subtract openings (doors, windows). A standard 8 ft × 12 ft wall = 96 sq ft. Subtract a 3 ft × 7 ft door = 21 sq ft, leaving 75 sq ft of wall coverage needed. For floors: measure room length × width. For irregular rooms, break them into rectangles and add the totals.
Choose Your Profile and Board Width
The board width you select directly determines how many linear feet you need. Wider boards (1×10, 1×12) cover more area per board but show more movement with humidity changes. For walls, 1×6 shiplap is the most forgiving. For flooring, 4"–6" planks are the industry standard for reclaimed work. Narrower strips hide cupping better; wider planks show character more dramatically.
Calculate Linear Feet Needed
Divide your total square footage by the face coverage of each board (in feet). A 1×6 with 5½" (0.458 ft) face coverage: 75 sq ft ÷ 0.458 = 164 linear feet. Use the coverage table above to read this directly for common sizes. Linear feet is what most mills quote when selling by the piece.
Convert to Board Feet
Board feet = (thickness in inches × width in inches × length in feet) ÷ 12. Multiply your linear footage by the board-feet-per-linear-foot from the first table. For 164 LF of 1×6: 164 × 0.500 = 82 board feet of actual wood. This is the quantity to use when ordering from a lumber yard.
Add Waste Factor
Reclaimed lumber always requires a waste allowance for end cuts, defect removal, and installation waste. Minimum waste factors: 10% for straight runs with few cuts; 15% for standard rooms with doorways and corners; 20% for diagonal or herringbone patterns; 25%+ for heavily figured or defect-prone reclaimed stock. Round up to the nearest 50 board feet when ordering to avoid a shortage.
Account for Acclimation Loss
Reclaimed lumber delivered at higher moisture content will lose volume as it dries. If you receive wood above 12% MC and your target installation MC is 6–8%, plan for slight shrinkage across the face of each board. Our kiln-dried stock arrives at 6–9% MC and is ready to install without extended acclimation for most Southern California interior applications.
Common Project Benchmarks
Quick-reference quantities for typical reclaimed lumber applications in Los Angeles-area construction. All figures include a 15% waste factor.
Accent Wall (10×8 ft)
Full Room Accent (12×12 ft, one wall)
Small Bedroom Floor (120 sq ft)
Living Room Floor (300 sq ft)
Open Plan Floor (800 sq ft)
Small Deck (200 sq ft)
Fireplace Mantel (shelf only)
Kitchen Island Top (4×2 ft)
Farmhouse Dining Table (8 ft)
Exposed Ceiling Beams (3 beams, 12 ft)
Closet Shelving System
Fence (50 LF, 6 ft tall)
Ready to Get a Quote?
Bring your square footage and profile preference to our team and we'll verify your board-foot estimate, check current inventory, and provide a same-day quote for most sizes. Browse our available species or contact us directly.