Board footage represents a standard unit of volume for lumber, specifically equivalent to a piece of wood 1 inch thick, 12 inches wide, and 1 foot long. Its determination involves multiplying the thickness in inches by the width in inches, dividing by 12, and then multiplying by the length in feet. As an example, a piece of lumber that measures 2 inches thick, 6 inches wide, and 8 feet long contains 8 board feet (2 6 / 12 8 = 8).
Accurate assessment of this volumetric measure is essential for cost estimation and material procurement in woodworking, construction, and related industries. It facilitates standardized pricing, inventory management, and project planning by providing a common basis for quantifying lumber quantities. Historically, this system has streamlined trade and manufacturing by simplifying the process of converting raw lumber into finished products.