How to use boards to buy
What this calculation does
A whole-board purchase estimate compares required board feet with the board measure of one selected stock size.
Enter required board feet, stock thickness, width and length, then select the quoted nominal or actual dimension basis.
Enter the measurements
- Dimension basis: Select the dimension convention used by the product or quote; do not mix nominal labels with measured geometry.
- Required quantity: Enter the net quantity required by the project.
- Stock thickness: Use thickness on the selected purchase basis.
- Stock width: Use width on the selected purchase basis.
- Stock length: Enter the stock length in feet.
Formula and variables
boards = ceil(required BF / BF per board); purchase BF = boards × BF per board.
Per-board BF is thickness×width×length÷12. Board count is the ceiling of required BF divided by per-board BF; purchased BF is count times per-board BF.
Read the result
Three nominal 2×6×8 ft boards provide 24 BF, enough for a 21 BF requirement under the entered basis.
Worked example
Inputs: 21 BF, stock 2×6×8 ft at 8 BF each
- One board = 2×6×8÷12 = 8 BF.
- Count = ceil(21÷8) = 3; purchased quantity = 3×8 = 24 BF.
Expected result: 3 boards; 24 BF
Frequently asked questions
Does the estimate include waste?
No. It rounds only to whole boards; account for waste or yield separately.
Why select nominal or actual dimensions?
The basis must match how the stock quantity is quoted and what the 21 BF requirement represents.
Conditions, presets and technical notes
Use the same nominal or actual basis for required quantity and stock. One stock size; no waste or milling allowance is added.
Use the same nominal or actual basis as the source quantity or quote.