Board Feet to Cubic Metres Calculator
Instantly convert board feet (bd ft) to cubic metres (m³) and back. Includes an exact conversion factor, a lumber board-foot formula from board dimensions, and a full reference table.
Board Feet → m³, m³ → Board Feet, or a Full Table?
Whether you’re converting a single volume, working backwards from cubic metres, or need a table for a timber order or spec sheet, pick the tool below to get instant results.
Board Feet to Cubic Metres Calculator
Enter a board-foot value to see the exact cubic metre equivalent
1 board foot = 1 in thick × 12 in wide × 12 in long (144 in³)
More decimals for mill-grade precision
Board Feet → m³ Result
Exact cubic metres, litres, and cubic feet equivalents
Enter a board-foot value, then click Convert to Cubic Metres.
Cubic Metres to Board Feet Calculator
Enter cubic metres to see the equivalent in board feet
Any positive number of cubic metres
m³ → Board Feet Result
Exact board feet, cubic feet, and litre equivalents
Enter a cubic metre value, then click Convert to Board Feet.
Batch Conversion Table
Generate a board-feet-to-cubic-metre table across a custom range
Interval between each row of the table
Batch Table Result
Board-feet-to-cubic-metre values across your chosen range
Set a range and step, then click Generate Table.
Board Feet to m³ Quick Reference
Common board-foot values converted to cubic metres using the exact factor: 1 board foot = 0.002359737216 m³ (based on 144 cubic inches).
| Board Feet | Cubic Metres (m³) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bd ft | 0.002360 m³ | Base unit — 144 in³ |
| 10 bd ft | 0.023597 m³ | |
| 100 bd ft | 0.235974 m³ | |
| 500 bd ft | 1.179869 m³ | |
| 1,000 bd ft | 2.359737 m³ | 1 MBF (“thousand board feet”) |
| 5,000 bd ft | 11.798686 m³ | |
| 10,000 bd ft | 23.597372 m³ | |
| 423.776 bd ft | 1.000000 m³ | ≈ 1 cubic metre |
| 100,000 bd ft | 235.973722 m³ |
| Definition | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Board Foot | 0.002359737216 m³ | 144 cubic inches (1 in × 12 in × 12 in) |
| 1 Cubic Metre | ≈ 423.776 bd ft | Reciprocal of the board-foot factor |
| 1 Cubic Inch | 0.000016387064 m³ | SI base conversion |
| Board Foot Formula | (T × W × L) ÷ 12 | Thickness & width in inches, length in feet |
Board Feet to Cubic Metres FAQ
Everything people ask about converting board feet and cubic metres, and how the board-foot unit works.
One board foot equals exactly 0.002359737216 cubic metres. A board foot is defined as 144 cubic inches (a piece of lumber 1 inch thick, 12 inches wide, and 12 inches long), and 1 cubic inch equals 0.000016387064 cubic metres.
One cubic metre equals approximately 423.776 board feet. This is the reciprocal of the board-foot-to-cubic-metre factor: 1 ÷ 0.002359737216 ≈ 423.776.
A board foot is a volume measurement used in the lumber industry, equal to a board 1 inch thick, 12 inches wide, and 12 inches long (144 cubic inches). For a piece of lumber, board feet = (thickness in inches × width in inches × length in feet) ÷ 12.
Board feet has been the standard lumber unit in the US and Canada for over a century because it maps directly onto how boards are milled and priced — by thickness, width, and length in inches and feet. Cubic metres are used in metric countries and for international timber trade, so converting between the two is common when buying, exporting, or specifying lumber.
Multiply the number of board feet by 0.002359737216. For example, 1,000 board feet equals 1,000 × 0.002359737216, which is approximately 2.36 cubic metres.
A 1 cubic metre shipment of lumber contains about 423.78 board feet. For larger volumes, multiply the cubic metre quantity by 423.776 to estimate the board-foot equivalent, though actual usable board feet can vary slightly with milling losses.
No. A square foot is a measure of area with no thickness, while a board foot is a measure of volume that assumes a 1-inch thickness. A 1-inch-thick board covering 1 square foot equals exactly 1 board foot, but for any other thickness the two units diverge.