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Linear Feet

A measurement in a straight line. Linear footage measures just one dimension.

This is the unit of measurement to use when buying or selling wood that’s cut to standard or uniform dimensions.

Square Feet

A measurement of area. Square footage measures two dimensions.

This is the unit of measurement to use when buying or selling lumber that’s less than 1″ thick.

Board Feet

This is the unit of measurement to use when buying or selling lumber that’s random in width and length. Since boards are various in size, board footage is the fair way to determine the amount of wood in variable sizes.

NOTE: When figuring board footage of a board, here’s how you measure:

• Measure the width to the nearest 1/4″
• Measure the length to the nearest whole inch
• Thickness is not measured. Instead, use the thickness name regardless of the actual measured thickness. For example, when measuring 4/4 use 1″ even if the actual measured thickness is 13/16″

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