PRACTICAL METHOD
Board feet: estimate rough lumber volume
A short reference for reading the estimate and checking its assumptions.
A board foot is a volume unit equal to a board 1 inch thick, 12 inches wide, and 1 foot long. For measurements in inches and feet, multiply thickness × width × length, then divide by 12. Multiply by board count and add a waste allowance separately. This is a volume estimate; a supplier may price by actual dimensions, grade, drying, and market conditions.
The cut planner uses a largest-first, best-fit heuristic. It reserves the entered saw kerf for each listed piece, so the result is a practical layout estimate rather than a globally optimal plan. Check the finished drawing, stock defects, grain, and saw setup before cutting.