MBF means 1,000 board feet. In lumber sales and woodworking, it is a convenient way to express large quantities of wood. Use the calculator below to convert board dimensions into board feet and MBF, estimate cubic volume and, if useful, estimate lumber cost.
MBF & Board Foot Calculator
For dimensional lumber, board feet = thickness (in) × width (in) × length (ft) × quantity ÷ 12. MBF = board feet ÷ 1,000. Use the dimensions your supplier uses for pricing, because rough and surfaced lumber may be tallied differently.
What Does MBF Mean in Woodworking?
MBF stands for one thousand board feet. One board foot is a volume of 144 cubic inches: for example, a board that is 1 inch thick, 12 inches wide and 12 inches long. MBF is simply 1,000 times that volume.
| Measurement | Equivalent |
|---|---|
| 1 board foot (BF) | 144 cubic inches |
| 1 board foot | 1/12 cubic foot |
| 1 MBF | 1,000 board feet |
| 1 MBF | about 83.33 cubic feet |
Board Foot and MBF Formula
When thickness and width are measured in inches and length in feet, use:
Board feet = (Thickness × Width × Length × Quantity) ÷ 12
MBF = Board feet ÷ 1,000
MBF vs. Board Feet vs. Cubic Feet
Board feet and MBF are lumber-volume measurements. Cubic feet are a general volume measurement. For dimensional volume, 1,000 board feet equals approximately 83.33 cubic feet. MBF is especially useful for lumber inventories, supplier quotes and larger project requirements.
Nominal vs. Actual Lumber Dimensions
A board sold by a nominal size may have smaller surfaced dimensions. For project material takeoffs, actual dimensions can be appropriate. For supplier pricing, use the tally method used by the supplier. If a yard prices rough lumber from rough dimensions, entering the surfaced size can understate the billed volume.
How to Use the Calculator
- Select Imperial or Metric units.
- Enter thickness, width and length.
- Enter the number of identical boards.
- Optionally enter a price per MBF to estimate material cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many board feet are in 1 MBF?
Exactly 1,000 board feet.
How many cubic feet are in 1 MBF?
For dimensional volume, approximately 83.33 cubic feet.
How do I convert board feet to MBF?
Divide the number of board feet by 1,000. For example, 2,500 board feet equals 2.5 MBF.
How do I convert MBF to board feet?
Multiply MBF by 1,000. For example, 1.75 MBF equals 1,750 board feet.
Should I use nominal or actual dimensions?
Use the dimensions that match the purpose of the calculation. For purchasing and pricing, follow the supplier’s tally method. For project planning, actual finished dimensions may be more useful.
Can I estimate lumber cost from MBF?
Yes. Multiply the calculated MBF by the supplier’s price per MBF. The calculator does this automatically when you enter a price.
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