Board Foot

Definition

A unit of lumber volume, a rectangular solid nominally 12" × 12" × 1". The equivalent of a board 1 foot square and 1 inch thick.

Purpose

The board foot is used as a standard measurement for lumber volume, helping in estimating and pricing wood for construction, woodworking, and other applications. It provides a consistent way to quantify and compare different types and sizes of lumber.

Examples of Use

• Calculating the total board feet required for a construction project to determine the amount of lumber needed.
• Pricing lumber in a sawmill based on the number of board feet produced.
• Estimating the amount of wood required for a furniture-making project using board feet as a measurement unit.

Related Terms

• Lumber: Processed wood used in construction and manufacturing.
• Volume Measurement: The quantification of three-dimensional space occupied by an object or material.
• Woodworking: The craft of creating objects from wood.

Notes

Accurate measurement and calculation of board feet are crucial for project planning and cost estimation. Variations in lumber dimensions due to milling practices should be accounted for in calculations.