Nominal sizes and species references
Nominal presets load documented actual sections. The main calculator converts the same inputs when switching units. Dry S4S sizing is scoped to SFPA Southern Pine tables; decking examples use the Ipe Woods dimensional reference. Custom measured dimensions override presets. Species densities retain the cited reference condition and are not automatically corrected for changing moisture.
Compare the 30 reference woodsSolid rectangular pieces
US volume in ft³ = thickness in inches × width in inches × length in feet × count ÷ 144. Metric volume in m³ = thickness in millimeters × width in millimeters × length in meters × count ÷ 1,000,000. Mass equals compatible volume × density.
Board-foot input
Actual-volume board feet ÷ 12 gives ft³. Commercial tally conventions must be checked before using this route. A tally covering all pieces must not be multiplied by the count again.
Mixed bundles
Each line is calculated independently. The lumber subtotal is the sum of valid lines; entered tare is added once to form estimated gross weight. Invalid lines block use of the total. At most 12 groups are accepted.
Moisture scenarios
Inferred dry mass = initial mass ÷ (1 + initial dry-basis moisture / 100). Target mass = dry mass × (1 + target dry-basis moisture / 100). The model holds dry material mass constant and makes no prediction of shrinkage, drying duration or installation readiness.
Conversions and limits
1 lb = 0.45359237 kg; 1 ft³ = 0.028316846592 m³. The main calculator displays results to two decimal places, or three significant digits for nonzero values below 0.01. Its downloaded record retains up to 12 significant digits to keep small volumes and remove conversion noise; this does not establish measurement accuracy. Calculations use unrounded values. Positive finite inputs are required. Counts must be whole numbers up to 100,000; both unit systems use the same physical entry limits: density 160 lb/ft³ (about 2,562.95 kg/m³), thickness 120 in (3,048 mm), width 240 in (6,096 mm), and length 330 ft (100.584 m). Metric density is checked using the unrounded conversion. These limits guard input mistakes; they are not catalog ranges or engineering bounds. Moisture scenarios accept 0–300% dry-basis values.
What is excluded
No automatic allowances for packaging, machining, treatment uptake, finishes, hardware, moisture variation or sample uncertainty. No result determines safe lifting, structural capacity, vehicle loading or transport compliance. Defaults are hypothetical examples, not species properties.