Lumber Calculator
Fast, simple estimates for framing, boards & trim, and sheet goods — with waste & pricing. Imperial and metric.
No openings — studs will not be deducted.
- Regular studs
- 18
- Jack studs
- 0
- Cripple studs
- 0
- Plate pieces
- 8
- Board feet
- 100.10 BF
- Est. offcut
- 4.0 ft
- Cost (by piece)
- $157.30
Estimates for planning only. Verify with your supplier before ordering.
Lumber Calculator – Fast, Accurate Material Estimates
Use this free lumber calculator to size materials for common projects. Whether you're framing a room, running skirting or fascia boards, or laying down sheets of plywood/OSB, this tool gives you quick piece counts, board feet (BF) or cubic meters (m³), estimated offcuts, and optional cost. It supports both metric and imperial units and uses real-world defaults with editable waste.
Nominal vs actual
You pick the nominal size (e.g., 2×4 or 90×45). The calculator uses the actual finished dimensions to compute volume precisely.
Board feet / m³
Imperial projects use board feet (BF), calculated from thickness × width × length ÷ 12. Metric projects use cubic meters (m³).
Waste allowance
Add 5–15% to cover trim cuts, knots/defects, and handling losses. You control the percentage — 10% is a safe default.
Framing Lumber: Studs & Plates
For stud walls, counts are driven by wall length, stud spacing (e.g., 400 mm / 16 in), and wall height. Corner studs and simple opening rules are included, plus single or double top plates. You'll see the number of studs, plate pieces by stock length, and overall volume for ordering.
Boards & Trim: From Linear Run to Pieces
Enter a total linear run and select the sizes and stock lengths you plan to purchase. The tool converts to pieces, estimates offcuts, and reports board feet/m³. Ideal for skirting, fascia, picture rails, handrails, and general trim.
Sheet Goods: Plywood & OSB
Provide the area length and width and pick a standard sheet size (e.g., 1220×2440 mm or 4×8 ft). The calculator returns sheet counts and total coverage with your waste allowance — perfect for floors, walls, and roofs.
Frequently asked questions
Accuracy & Review
Reviewed by: Liam Santos. Liam reviews our decking, lumber, and board foot calculators to confirm accurate framing takeoffs, dimensional lumber calculations, and waste assumptions. He focuses on ensuring estimates reflect practical framing layouts and real-world material usage.
Last updated: Feb 12, 2026
Important disclaimer: These estimates are for general planning purposes only and should not be used as structural design guidance. Actual lumber quantities depend on span limits, load requirements, material grade, and building code compliance. Structural framing components should be verified against current code requirements before construction.
Related tools
Concrete Calculator
Cubic yards, bags, and cost for slabs, footings, and columns.
Roof Pitch Calculator
Convert pitch ratios, calculate rafter length, slope angle, and rise.
Drywall Estimator
Sheets, screws, mud, and tape for any room with deductions and waste.
Stair Calculator
Riser count, tread depth, stringer length, and IRC code check.
Paint Calculator
Estimate gallons, primer, and cost for walls and ceilings.
Flooring Calculator
Estimate hardwood, laminate, vinyl, carpet, and tile materials and cost.
Tile Calculator
Tiles needed for floors, walls, and backsplashes with grout and waste.
Square Footage Calculator
Calculate area for rooms, yards, and irregular shapes in sq ft or meters.
Roofing Calculator
Roofing squares, shingles, underlayment, and material cost for any roof shape.
Fence Calculator
Posts, rails, panels, and concrete for any fence length and style.
Mulch Calculator
Cubic yards and bags of mulch for any garden bed or landscape area.
More construction tools coming.
Roof pitch, stair calculator, drywall, paint coverage, and more are next.
Browse Construction tools