Framing & Lumber Calculators
Price lumber by the board foot, convert nominal sizes, and lay out stairs with riser, tread and stringer dimensions checked against common code limits.
Where to start?
- Pricing hardwood or a lumber order → Board Foot Calculator
- Building a staircase or deck steps → Stair Calculator
All framing & lumber calculators
- Board Foot Calculator Convert lumber dimensions to board feet and cubic metres, and price hardwood or dimensional lumber by the board foot.
- Stair Calculator Work out the number of steps, riser height, tread depth, total run, stringer length and angle — and check them against common code limits.
Coming soon: Stud & plate count · Rafter length · Plywood / OSB sheets
How framing & lumber estimating works
North American lumber is described by nominal size — a 2×4 is really about 1½ × 3½ in once dried and planed — and hardwood is priced by the board foot, a volume of 144 cubic inches. Metric markets sell timber by actual dimensions in millimetres and price by the metre or cubic metre. Our board-foot calculator converts in both directions so you can compare quotes.
Stairs are the most regulated thing most DIYers build. Every riser must be the same height, treads must be deep enough to stand on safely, and codes limit the maximum riser and steepness. Our stair calculator spreads the total rise evenly and flags common limits, but always confirm with your local building authority.
Glossary
- Board foot (BF)
- 1 in × 12 in × 12 in of lumber
- Nominal size
- the name size before drying and planing
- Riser / going
- vertical and horizontal parts of a step
- Stringer
- the sloping board that supports the treads
Updated by the DIYCalcLab Editorial Team · How we calculate
Guides
- How to Plan a Deck: Size, Layout and MaterialsPlan a deck from site to materials list: choosing size around board lengths, board direction, gaps, joist spacing, footings and the permits you may need.
- Fence Planning Checklist: Before You Dig the First HoleA practical checklist for planning a wood or panel fence: boundaries, permits, layout, post spacing, gates, materials and concrete per post.
- Nominal vs Actual Lumber Sizes (and What It Means for Board Feet)Why a 2×4 is not 2 by 4 inches, a chart of nominal and actual lumber sizes, metric equivalents, and how sizes affect board-foot pricing.
Other categories
ConcretePaint & WallpaperTileFlooringRoofingLandscapingDeckingFencingDrywall (Plasterboard)MasonryConversions