Pieces and size
Size mode
Default is nominal — what the yard tickets. A 2×4 dresses to 1.5×3.5; actual-size mode uses that smaller board so you can see why the ticket is 53.33 bf, not 35.
Common sizes
*4×4 here is still board feet, not a fence post count. For posts, rails, and pickets use the fence calculator.
Mill ticket
- Board feet
- —
- Per piece
- —
- Linear feet not bf
- —
- Mode
- nominal
Enter how many pieces, plus thickness, width, and length.
This is an estimate, not a price quote. Species and grade are out of scope. Default is nominal (what the yard tickets), not actual dressed size. Not a fence calculator — piece count for posts and pickets is a different unit. Confirm with the mill. Nothing on this page leaves the browser.
How board feet are counted
One board foot is 144 cubic inches. In yard units that is
(thickness in × width in × length ft) / 12, times the
piece count. That is not linear feet (pieces ×
length) and not a fence piece count.
board_feet = pieces × (thickness_in × width_in × length_ft) / 12 10 pcs, 2×4×8 nominal: 10 × (2 × 4 × 8) / 12 = 53.33 bf same pile, actual 1.5×3.5: 10 × (1.5 × 3.5 × 8) / 12 = 35 bf 1 pc 1×6×12 nominal: 1 × (1 × 6 × 12) / 12 = 6 bf
The mill tickets 53.33 board feet because yards sell nominal. Actual dressed size is smaller — that is why the wood is 35 bf but the ticket is 53.
FAQ
What is a board foot, and how is it different from linear feet or piece count?
Board feet ≠ linear feet ≠ piece count. One board foot is 144 cubic inches, counted as (thickness in × width in × length ft) / 12, times the piece count. Ten 8-foot 2×4s are 80 linear feet and 10 pieces, but 53.33 board feet nominal. Fence math is piece count (posts, rails, pickets) — that lives on the fence calculator, not here.
Nominal vs actual: why does a 2×4 quote as 2×4 if it dresses to 1.5×3.5?
A 2×4 is 1.5×3.5 actual (dressed), but yards sell it as nominal 2×4. The industry quote unit is NOMINAL. This tool defaults to nominal and only uses actual dressed size if you switch. The mill ticket is the nominal number.
How many board feet in ten 8-foot 2×4s?
Nominal (what the yard tickets): 10 × (2 × 4 × 8) / 12 = 53.33 board feet. Actual dressed size: 10 × (1.5 × 3.5 × 8) / 12 = 35 board feet. Display ~53.33 on nominal. One 1×6×12 nominal is 6 board feet.
Why is the ticket 53.33 board feet, not 35?
Because the yard quotes nominal size, not the dressed board. Ten 8-foot 2×4s at 1.5×3.5 actual are 35 board feet of wood, but the ticket uses 2×4 and comes to 53.33. Switch to actual-size mode to see 35 — then switch back if you are matching a mill quote.
Is this a fence calculator or a piece-count takeoff?
No. This is board feet, the mill/lumber-yard unit. Fence is piece count — posts, rails, pickets; height is only a label. Use the fence calculator for posts. Roofing is squares (100 sq ft of roof surface). This page does not count posts.
Is this a price quote? What about species and grade?
Not a price quote. Species and grade are out of scope. Quantity math only: pieces × (T × W × L) / 12, defaulting to nominal. Empty or zero pieces is 0 board feet, not a ticket. Confirm with the yard.