Lumber Volume Converter
Convert between different units of lumber volume including cubic meters, board feet, cubic feet, cords, and more. Essential for woodworking, construction, and timber industry calculations.
Base Unit: 1 Cubic meter [m³] = 1,000,000 cm³ = 61,023.7441 in³ = 35.3147 ft³ = 1.30795 yd³ = 423.776 board feet = 0.423776 MBF = 0.275895 cord = 0.353147 cunit = 1,000 dm³ = 1,000 L = 1,000,000 mL
About This Lumber Volume Converter
Our Lumber Volume Converter provides precise conversions between different units used to measure lumber and wood volumes. The tool is essential for woodworkers, construction professionals, timber merchants, and forestry specialists working with lumber in various forms.
The converter uses exact conversion factors based on standard definitions, ensuring accurate results for both practical applications and theoretical calculations. All conversions are derived from the base unit of cubic meter (m³), the standard SI unit for volume measurement.
Key Features
Comprehensive Units
Convert between 12 different lumber volume units including SI, imperial, and industry-specific measurements like board feet and cords.
Industry Standard
Uses precise conversion factors recognized by timber and construction industries worldwide.
Real-time Conversion
See results instantly as you type or change units for seamless workflow integration.
Educational
Learn about relationships between different lumber measurement systems commonly used across regions.
Why Choose Our Converter?
- Accuracy: Uses exact conversion factors from industry standards
- Versatility: Covers both metric and imperial units plus specialized timber measurements
- User-Friendly: Clean interface with intuitive controls designed for daily use
- Responsive: Works perfectly on desktop, tablet, and mobile devices
- No Installation: Web-based tool accessible from any browser without downloads
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a board foot?
A board foot (FBM or bd ft) is a specialized unit of volume for lumber in the United States and Canada. One board foot equals the volume of a board that is 1 foot long × 1 foot wide × 1 inch thick, which equals 144 cubic inches. It’s primarily used for pricing and measuring dimensional lumber.
How is a cord of wood defined?
A cord is a standard unit for measuring firewood and pulpwood volume. It represents a stack of wood measuring 4 feet high × 4 feet wide × 8 feet long, totaling 128 cubic feet (3.62 m³). However, due to air spaces between stacked logs, the actual solid wood content is typically 70-90 cubic feet, depending on log size and stacking methods.
What’s the difference between MBF and board feet?
MBF stands for “thousand board feet” (M is the Roman numeral for 1,000). It’s commonly used in commercial lumber transactions where large volumes are involved. For example, 5 MBF equals 5,000 board feet. Lumber mills and wholesale timber operations typically price their products in MBF rather than individual board feet.
What is a cunit in lumber measurement?
A cunit (CCF) is 100 cubic feet of solid wood. It’s primarily used in the forest products industry for measuring logs and pulpwood, especially in the western United States. One cunit equals approximately 2.83 cubic meters. Unlike cord measurements, cunits represent solid wood volume without accounting for air spaces.
How do I calculate board feet for a piece of lumber?
To calculate board feet, multiply the thickness (in inches) × width (in inches) × length (in feet), then divide by 12. For example, a piece measuring 2 inches thick × 6 inches wide × 8 feet long contains (2 × 6 × 8) ÷ 12 = 8 board feet. For multiple pieces of the same size, multiply the result by the quantity.