Calculate board feet from lumber dimensions, price hardwood by the board foot, and build a multi-piece material list. Includes species pricing guide, nominal vs actual reference, and quarter-system converter.
Board feet is the fundamental unit for buying and selling hardwood lumber. Unlike framing lumber (sold by the piece or linear foot), hardwood from lumber yards and mills is priced per board foot — a unit of volume that accounts for thickness, width, and length. Understanding board feet is essential for any woodworking project, furniture build, or hardwood purchase.
Rough-sawn hardwood uses a quarter system to describe thickness: 4/4 (four-quarter) = 1 inch rough, 5/4 = 1.25 inches, 6/4 = 1.5 inches, 8/4 = 2 inches, 12/4 = 3 inches, 16/4 = 4 inches. After surfacing (planing smooth), the board loses approximately 3/16 inch from each face, so 4/4 rough lumber planes to about 13/16 inch, and 8/4 rough planes to about 1-3/4 inches.
| Species | Price/BF (4/4) | Janka Hardness | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poplar | $3–$5 | 540 | Paint-grade, interior |
| Ash | $4–$7 | 1,320 | Tool handles, sports equip |
| Red Oak | $4–$8 | 1,290 | Cabinets, flooring, furniture |
| White Oak | $5–$10 | 1,360 | Outdoor, whiskey barrels |
| Hard Maple | $5–$10 | 1,450 | Cutting boards, flooring |
| Cherry | $6–$12 | 950 | Fine furniture, cabinets |
| Black Walnut | $8–$15 | 1,010 | Premium furniture, gunstocks |
| Mahogany | $8–$16 | 800 | Boats, fine furniture |