Lumber Price per Linear Foot Calculator for Quote Comparison
Normalize a lumber price to linear-foot cost while keeping thickness, width and the original pricing basis visible. This makes different quote formats easier to compare without pretending differently sized boards contain the same amount of wood.
Price conversion
Normalized lumber price
How the linear-foot price is calculated
For a piece-priced board, linear-foot cost is simply the price divided by the board length in feet. For board-foot pricing, the board-foot value of one linear foot depends on thickness and width.
Board-foot quote: BF per piece = thickness × width × length ÷ 12
Linear-foot cost = board-foot price × (thickness × width ÷ 12)
Worked example
An $18 board that is 8 ft long costs $2.25 per linear foot. That does not mean an 8 ft 2×6 and an 8 ft 2×4 have equal material value; their cross-sections differ.
Why linear-foot comparison can mislead
Linear feet measure length, not volume. Two boards may have the same linear-foot price while containing very different quantities of wood. For purchasing comparisons, board-foot or another dimension-aware measure can be more appropriate.
Commercial terms
Taxes, freight, minimum-order fees and discounts can materially change a quote. Normalize those separately and apply them consistently before selecting a supplier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a piece price be converted directly?
Yes.
Why are thickness and width needed for board-foot pricing?
Because board feet include cross-sectional dimensions.
Is linear-foot price enough to compare all lumber?
No. It is only a length-based comparison.
Can metric lengths be used?
Yes.