Quick answer
How Many Board Feet in a 2x10?
A 2x10 holds 1.667 board feet per linear foot. So an 8-foot 2x10 is 13.33 board feet and a 12-foot is 20 board feet (2 × 10 × 12 ÷ 12). Multiply 1.667 by the length, or use the chart.
When a 2x10 shows up on my order, it's usually because something has to span — a beam, a long joist, a stair stringer. These are the pieces that hold the structure up, so at 1.667 board feet per foot they're also the line items I double-check hardest. The per-foot rate is just the nominal cross section over twelve; if you want to see why that ratio holds for every length, it's worked through in the how to calculate board feet guide.
How many board feet are in a 2x10 by length?
A 2x10 packs the most wood per foot of any board on this set of pages — 25% more than a 2x8:
| Length | Board feet |
|---|---|
| 6 ft | 10.00 |
| 8 ft | 13.33 |
| 10 ft | 16.67 |
| 12 ft | 20.00 |
| 14 ft | 23.33 |
| 16 ft | 26.67 |
The clean one to memorize is 12 ft = 20 BF. From there, every 6 ft adds 10 board feet.
Why does a 2x10 measure 9¼ inches?
Like the 2x8, a 2x10 is a wide board, so surfacing trims ¾″ off the width and it finishes at 9.25″ — not 9.5″ and certainly not the nominal 10. That actual width matters when you're sistering onto an existing joist or matching a stair rise, but the board feet stay pinned to the nominal 2×10 because softwood is sold that way. The rule for which boards lose ½″ versus ¾″ is spelled out in nominal vs actual dimensions.
How many board feet are in a built-up 2x10 beam?
Beams are where 2x10 board feet stack up literally. A built-up beam is just two or three 2x10s nailed or bolted together, so you add a full ply's worth of footage each time. Take a 3-ply beam, 16 ft long, carrying a deck:
- 3 plies × 16 ft = 48 linear feet of 2x10.
- 48 ft × 1.667 BF/ft = ~80 board feet in that one beam.
At a wide-stock rate near $0.90 per board foot (a planning estimate; long, wide 2x10 carries a premium) that beam is about $72 in lumber. Stack a couple of those plus the joists they carry and a deck frame climbs quickly — which is exactly why I tally the beams, joists, and rim in the cut list calculator and price the total in the lumber cost calculator before ordering.
What are 2x10s used for?
The 2x10 lives in the structural backbone: long-span floor joists, deck beams (usually doubled or tripled), door and garage headers, and stair stringers where the 9¼″ depth gives room to cut the notches. It's also one of the heavier sticks to handle — a dry 16-footer runs around 48 lb, more when green or treated, which is its own reason to count carefully before a delivery. Need a shallower joist? A 2x8 covers shorter spans at lower cost per foot.
Frequently asked questions
How many board feet are in a built-up 2x10 beam?
A three-ply 2x10 beam 16 ft long is three boards 16 ft each, or 48 linear feet. At 1.667 BF/ft that's about 80 board feet. Add the same per-foot rate for every ply you stack.
Why does a 2x10 measure 9.25 inches wide?
It's a wide board, so it loses ¾″ in surfacing rather than ½″ finishing at 9.25″ instead of 9.5″. The board foot math still uses the nominal 2×10 because softwood is priced by nominal dimensions.
How much does a 2x10 weigh per foot?
A dry softwood 2x10 weighs roughly 3 lb per linear foot, so a 16-ft piece is about 48 lb. Green or pressure-treated stock runs heavier. Treat this as a planning estimate — weight depends on species and moisture.