Built in the shop. Measured on the job.
Lumber Calculator was built by woodworkers and contractors who were tired of doing board-feet math by hand on job sites and at the workbench. So we wrote the calculator we wished existed and made it free.
What we stand for
Built for real projects
Every formula comes from the same standards lumber suppliers and structural engineers use: the American Lumber Standard Committee (ALSC) and the USDA Forest Products Laboratory Wood Handbook. Actual dimensions, not nominal labels, so estimates match the boards you receive.
Free, always
No account, no paywall, no banners interrupting your work. Contractors price jobs with it. DIYers plan decks with it. Students learn board-feet math with it. Reliable tools shouldn't cost money.
Accuracy you can cite
Wood density values come from the FPL Wood Handbook, the authoritative USDA reference. Pricing is updated against national retail averages. We cite our sources on every page so you can verify.
Who we are
The Lumber Calculator Team is a small group of builders, woodworkers, and software developers. We've each spent time on job sites and in workshops where quick, accurate lumber math was the difference between a clean estimate and a costly mistake. We built this tool to solve that problem for ourselves, then made it free for everyone.
Our backgrounds cover residential framing, finish carpentry, and fine furniture. That range means we understand why a deck builder needs different calculations than a furniture maker, and why nominal vs. actual dimensions matter in practice.
How we research and update
Every calculation is cross-referenced against published industry standards before going live. Wood density values come from the USDA Forest Products Laboratory Wood Handbook (Chapter 4, Table 4-3). Nominal-to-actual dimension conversions follow ALSC standards. Pricing is reviewed quarterly against national retail surveys.
When we update pricing or add new species, we document what changed and when. The “Last Updated” date on the calculator page reflects the most recent data review. Blog articles go through a fact-check pass before publication.
Primary sources
- American Lumber Standard Committee (ALSC): softwood dimension standards
- National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA): hardwood grading rules
- USDA Forest Products Laboratory Wood Handbook: properties and density
- ICC International Residential Code (IRC): framing and structural requirements
Get in touch
Found an error in a calculation, have a suggestion, or want to report outdated pricing? We read this inbox.
contact@thelumbercalculator.com