
Lumber Measurement Information
Below are definitions and a link to a detailed, interactive conversion chart that makes tedious conversions simple.
Definitions:
Conversion Chart:
Board foot (bd. ft.)
The board-foot is a specialized unit of measure for the volume of lumber in the United States and Canada. It is the volume of a one-foot length of a board one foot wide and one inch thick.
Board-foot can be abbreviated FBM (for "foot, board measure"), BDFT, or BF. Thousand board-feet can be abbreviated as MFBM, MBFT or MBF.
Cubic meter (m3)
SI derived unit of volume. It is the volume of a cube with edges one metre in length. An alternative name, which allowed a different usage with metric prefixes, was the stère. Another alternative name, not widely used any more, is the kilolitre.
NHLA Grading
NHLA grades are based on the percentage of clear-defect free wood on a board. The measurements of this percentage are referred to as clear-cuttings. Other than the FAS grades, the grade of the board is determined from the percentage of these clear cutting and do not consider defects outside the clear areas.
Measurement of Kiln-Dried Lumber
Net Tally: Actual board feet after kiln drying
Green Tally: Actual board feet before kiln drying
Shrinkages: widths can be 1/4'' below minimum required. Thickness can be 1/16'' below minimum required.
Conversion Table
Click Conversion Table Above For Complete Interactive Conversion Chart for Lumber
Measurements