For whole projects
Board Foot Cut List Calculator
Add up to 30 boards across species and get total board feet, cost, and shipping weight at once — then export to CSV or print a clean PDF for the yard. For the formula, see how to calculate board feet.
How do you figure board feet from a cut list?
A cut list turns a project into board feet you can actually order. The method is simple, and this tool automates every step:
- List each unique part with its thickness, width, length, and quantity.
- Calculate board feet per part — thickness(in) × width(in) × length(ft) ÷ 12 — then multiply by quantity.
- Add a waste factor so you order what you will really use. See the waste factor guide.
- Apply prices per species for a total, or send the CSV to your dealer for a quote.
It rounds each board the way a hardwood dealer does, totals multiple species separately, estimates weight for transport, and never loses your numbers when your phone sleeps. That is the difference between a guess and a verifiable order. Learn to check the result against your bill in why the yard charged more.
What does a worked cut list look like?
Let me run a small 4/4 walnut side table the way I'd write it on a tally sheet. Three part types, one species:
| Part | Qty | Size (in × in × ft) | BF each | BF total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top | 1 | 1 × 12 × 4 | 4.00 | 4.00 |
| Shelf | 1 | 1 × 10 × 4 | 3.33 | 3.33 |
| Aprons | 4 | 1 × 4 × 2 | 0.67 | 2.67 |
| Net total | 10.00 BF | |||
Ten net board feet. I'd add a 15% waste factor for grain-matching and defect cuts, so I'd actually buy about 11.5 BF — roughly $150 of walnut at $13/BF. The calculator does this row math live; I only ever hand-tally to double-check a number I don't trust.