About Board Foot Calculator

I built this calculator because I got tired of the lumber math. Every time I started a new project — a desk, a set of shelves, a bench — I would end up with a scrap of paper covered in numbers, trying to figure out how many board feet I needed and whether I was getting a fair price at the yard. The online calculators I found were either too basic (single board, no pricing) or too complicated (sign-up required, buried in features I did not need).

So I made my own. Something that works the way I actually think about a project: enter the boards I need, see the total volume and cost, adjust for waste, and move on. No accounts, no ads getting in the way, no fuss.

What it does differently

Most lumber calculators expect you to do one board at a time. Write down the number, clear the form, start over. This one lets you build a full cut list as you go. Add boards of different sizes, set quantities, and the running total updates automatically. Come back to it later — your list stays in the browser. The isometric preview is a nice bonus for catching mistakes: if the proportions look wrong, the numbers probably are too.

Who this is for

Woodworkers, contractors, DIYers — anyone who buys lumber by the board foot. If you price hardwoods for a living, you will appreciate the per-board cost breakdown. If you are building your first deck and just need to know how much pressure-treated pine to order, this works for that too. It handles both imperial and metric out of the box.

How it handles your data

The calculator runs entirely in your browser. Your cut list is saved to localStorage on your own machine. I never see it, I cannot access it, and there is no database involved. If you clear your browser data, the list goes with it. I use Google Fonts for the typography and AdSense for keeping the lights on, but no personal information is collected or shared.

Get in touch

Found a bug? Have a feature you would like to see? The best way to reach me is through the Contact page.