Board Foot Price to Linear Foot Price Calculator (Free Tool)
Board foot price converts to linear foot price by multiplying the board-foot rate by (width × thickness, in inches) ÷ 12 — not by simply dividing by length, which is a common mistake. Using the wrong formula can under- or over-price a lumber order by 20% or more. This guide covers the correct formula, a free calculator, current per-board-foot pricing by species, and worked examples that show the math.
Quick Answer
Linear Foot Price = Board Foot Price × (Width in inches × Thickness in inches) ÷ 12. For a 1×6 board (0.75″ × 5.5″) priced at $6/board foot, that’s $6 × (5.5 × 0.75) ÷ 12 = $2.06 per linear foot.
Board Foot to Linear Foot Price Calculator
Formula: Linear Foot Price = Board Foot Price × (Width × Thickness) ÷ 12
Board Foot vs. Linear Foot: What’s The Difference?
Board feet measure volume; linear feet measure length only, with no regard for width or thickness. One board foot equals a board that is 1 inch thick, 12 inches wide, and 12 inches long — or any combination of dimensions that multiplies to the same 144 cubic inches. This is why two boards can cost the same per board foot but a very different amount per linear foot once their width and thickness differ. For species-specific numbers, see our cedar board foot calculator.
This distinction matters most when comparing quotes: a supplier pricing by the board foot and one pricing by the linear foot aren’t automatically comparable until you convert one to the other using the actual board dimensions. For related lumber math, see our board foot to linear foot calculator and the full lumber and material calculators hub.
The Correct Conversion Formula
The board foot formula is Board Feet = (Thickness × Width × Length in feet) ÷ 12, with thickness and width in inches. Multiplying that out and dividing the total cost by the board’s length is what actually produces the linear foot price — not dividing the board-foot rate by length, which is a common error that produces a number with no real meaning.
The reliable shortcut, derived directly from that formula, is:
Linear Foot Price = Board Foot Price × (Width × Thickness in inches) ÷ 12
For example, a 1×6 board is actually 0.75 inches thick and 5.5 inches wide (nominal lumber sizes are always larger than actual milled dimensions). At $6.00 per board foot: Linear Foot Price = $6.00 × (5.5 × 0.75) ÷ 12 = $2.06 per linear foot. Use the calculator above to run this for your own board dimensions.
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The calculator above is only as accurate as your width and thickness inputs — fraction markings make it easier to read a board’s actual (not nominal) dimensions to the nearest 1/16 inch before you plug in numbers.
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Step-by-Step Conversion Guide
- Measure the board: record thickness, width, and length in inches (or length in feet).
- Calculate the board feet: Board Feet = (Thickness × Width × Length in feet) ÷ 12.
- Find the cost per board foot: divide the total quoted price by the board feet, or use the supplier’s quoted per-board-foot rate directly.
- Apply the conversion: Linear Foot Price = Board Foot Price × (Width × Thickness) ÷ 12.
- Check your answer: multiply the linear foot price by the board’s length in feet — it should match the board’s total cost.
Board Foot Price By Species (2026 Ranges)
Cost per board foot depends on species, grade, and region — local prices can swing 20 to 30% from national averages. These are typical 4/4 (1-inch) lumber ranges:
| Wood Species | Typical Price Range (per board foot) |
|---|---|
| Pine (knotty to clear) | $3.00 – $7.00 |
| Red Oak (common to select) | $5.50 – $9.50 |
| Hard Maple (standard grades) | $7.50 – $10.00 |
📊 Standard 4/4 red oak runs $5.50–$7.50 per board foot at Common grade and $7–$9.50 at Select grade as of 2026, with quartersawn stock running $8.50–$12. — Source: CraftQuote, 2026 Hardwood Pricing Guide
Linear Foot Price Calculation
Linear foot pricing is common for uniform stock like trim, molding, and dimensional framing lumber sold by the running foot rather than by volume. The two pricing methods aren’t interchangeable without the conversion — a wider or thicker board always costs more per linear foot than a narrower one at the same board-foot rate.
| You know | Formula to get linear foot price |
|---|---|
| Board foot price + board dimensions | Board Foot Price × (Width × Thickness) ÷ 12 |
| Total cost + board length | Total Cost ÷ Length in Feet |
Worked Examples
Example 1: A 1×6 board (actual 0.75″ × 5.5″) is priced at $6.00 per board foot. Linear Foot Price = $6.00 × (5.5 × 0.75) ÷ 12 = $2.06 per linear foot. An 8-foot length costs $2.06 × 8 = $16.50 total.
Example 2: A 2×10 board (actual 1.5″ × 9.25″) is priced at $4.50 per board foot. Linear Foot Price = $4.50 × (9.25 × 1.5) ÷ 12 = $5.20 per linear foot. Notice this is a lower board-foot price than Example 1, but a much higher linear-foot price — because the board is far thicker and wider.
Advanced Considerations: Irregular Sizes And Custom Cuts
Irregular lumber sizes complicate both formulas — each piece may vary slightly in actual dimensions, which shifts the board-foot-to-linear-foot ratio piece by piece. Measure each board individually rather than assuming a batch is uniform. If you’re still scoping the project, our lumber quantity calculator and cutting board foot calculator help estimate totals before you start pricing individual boards.
Custom cuts carry their own pricing implications. Unique dimensions often mean more labor and more waste for the mill, both of which get built into the quoted price. Always confirm with your supplier whether a quote is for nominal or actual dimensions before running it through either formula.
| Irregular Size Issue | Effect On Pricing |
|---|---|
| Variation in length | Increases per-piece cost due to waste from trimming to length |
| Thickness inconsistency | Can require re-milling, adding labor cost |
| Unique/custom shapes | Requires special handling and typically a custom quote |
Tips For Accurate Calculations
- Measure actual, not nominal, dimensions: a “2×4” is really 1.5″ × 3.5″ after milling — using nominal size overstates cost by roughly 20–25%.
- Confirm which price you were quoted: ask suppliers directly whether a quote is per board foot or per linear foot before comparing two bids.
- Re-measure irregular stock piece by piece: don’t assume every board in a bundle shares the same actual thickness.
- Double-check with the reverse calculation: multiply your linear foot price back out by the board’s length — it should match the quoted total.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you convert board foot price to linear foot price?
Multiply the board foot price by the board’s width and thickness in inches, then divide by 12: Linear Foot Price = Board Foot Price × (Width × Thickness) ÷ 12. Use actual milled dimensions, not the nominal size printed on the board.
How do you calculate price per linear foot?
Divide the total cost of the material by its length in linear feet: Price Per Linear Foot = Total Cost ÷ Length in Feet. This works for any material sold by the running foot, not just lumber, as long as you use the same unit of length throughout. Our lumber price calculator handles this calculation directly if you’d rather skip the manual math.
How do you calculate MBF pricing?
MBF means “per thousand board feet.” Divide the total cost by the number of board feet, then multiply by 1,000. For example, a $200 order covering 100 board feet costs $2.00 per board foot, or $2,000 per MBF.
What is the formula for board feet?
Board Feet = (Thickness in inches × Width in inches × Length in feet) ÷ 12. If your length is in inches instead of feet, divide by 144 instead of 12. This calculates the volume of lumber regardless of the board’s specific shape.
What does “MBF to LF” mean and how do you convert it?
“MBF to LF” refers to converting a per-thousand-board-foot price into a price per linear foot for a specific board size. First convert MBF price to a per-board-foot price by dividing by 1,000, then apply the standard conversion: Board Foot Price × (Width × Thickness) ÷ 12.
Conclusion
Converting board foot price to linear foot price comes down to one formula: multiply the board-foot rate by the board’s width and thickness in inches, then divide by 12. Use the calculator above with your board’s actual dimensions, double-check with the reverse calculation, and always confirm with your supplier whether a quote is nominal or actual size before comparing bids.
