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Other tools you may find usefulLumber calculator – how to calculate the volume (cubic) and the cost of wood?
Sawn timber is the basic wood material produced in the process of sawing (cutting) roundwood logs in sawmills. Depending on the dimensions and degree of processing, sawn timber is divided into boards, square timbers, joists, square timbers, battens and logs. Construction and finishing wood is sold and settled at construction warehouses in cubic meters (in construction jargon called **cubes**), while investors or carpenters plan purchases in pieces or linear meters with a specific cross-section (e.g. a board 25 mm thick, 100 mm wide and 4 meters long). Our free online lumber calculator is a reliable tool that allows you to quickly convert the dimensions of wooden elements into cubic meters (m³) and precisely calculate the cost of the entire order.
Thanks to this, you will avoid overpaying at the sawmill, plan your transport carefully and check the weight of the load before delivery.
Division of sawn timber and typical dimensions of wooden elements
Softwood (pine, spruce, larch) and hardwood (oak, ash, beech) timber is classified depending on the thickness and width of the cross-section. The table below shows the standard division of sawn timber assortments:
| Element name | Section thickness (mm) | Section width (mm) | Main construction purpose | Approximate weight 1 m³ (dry wood) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battens and counter-battens | 19 – 38 mm | 38 – 75 mm | Roof structures for roof tiles, wall frames. | Okay. 450 – 550 kg |
| Boards | 19 – 45 mm | From 75 mm upwards | Formworks, floors, roofing, fences, facades. | Okay. 480 – 550 kg |
| Square timbers | 50 – 100 mm | 50 – 100 mm | Frame wall structures, gazebos, terrace joists. | Okay. 500 – 600 kg |
| Logs | 50 – 100 mm | From 100 mm upwards | Main ceiling beams, purlins, log house structures. | Okay. 520 – 620 kg |
| Rafters (Thick edges) | Above 100 mm | Above 100 mm | Roof truss (rafters, wall panels, purlins, columns). | Okay. 550 – 650 kg |
How to calculate the volume (cubage) of wood? Formula and examples
Calculating the volume of sawn timber involves multiplying the three geometric dimensions of the element (length, width and thickness) and the number of pieces. The key is to reduce all dimensions to one unit - **meters**:
$$V = L \times W \times T \times N$$
Where:
- $V$ - volume in cubic meters ($m^3$).
- $L$ – element length in meters ($m$).
- $W$ – element width in meters ($m$) (note: millimeters are converted by dividing by 1000, e.g. $100 \text{ mm} = 0.1 \text{ m}$).
- $T$ – element thickness in meters ($m$) (e.g. $25 \text{ mm} = 0.025 \text{ m}$).
- $N$ – number of pieces of elements with identical dimensions.
Example: You order 50 pieces of formwork boards 4 m long, 150 mm wide (0.15 m) and 25 mm thick (0.025 m). The calculation is as follows: $$V = 4 \times 0.15 \times 0.025 \times 50 = 0.75 \text{ m}^3$$. The order volume is exactly 0.75 cubic meters.
The influence of humidity on the weight of sawn timber
When planning the transport of wood, its weight is crucial, which depends primarily on the species and the degree of drying (humidity):
- Wet sawn timber (green, straight from the sawmill):Has a humidity of over 30%. Water constitutes a significant part of the mass, so 1 m³ of wet pine can weigh up to **800 to 1000 kg**.
- Air-dry lumber:Dried in the open air for several months (humidity approx. 15-20%). The weight of 1 m³ drops to approximately **550 - 650 kg**.
- Chamber-dried sawn timber (e.g. KVH wood):Humidity of 12-15%. The wood is dimensionally stable and the lightest - the weight of 1 m³ is approximately **450 - 500 kg**.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
How many pieces of boards fit in one cubicle (1 m³)?
The number of pieces of boards in one cubic meter depends directly on their dimensions. To calculate this, divide 1 by the volume of a single board. For example, for a board with dimensions of 4 m × 12 cm × 2.5 cm, the volume is: 4 × 0.12 × 0.025 = 0.012 m³. Therefore, one cube contains: 1 / 0.012 ≈ 83.3 pieces of such boards.
What is edged and unedged lumber?
Edged lumber has all four surfaces machined (filed) and the edges are perpendicular to each other. Unedged lumber has only two parallel (wide) surfaces processed, while the side edges remain natural, rounded with the bark (edge). Unedged lumber is cheaper, but generates more waste during processing.
How to calculate the price of lumber per unit if I know the price per cubic?
To calculate the price of a single piece of board or square timber, multiply the volume of this one piece in cubic meters by the price of one cubic meter quoted at the sawmill. Example: If a cube of boards costs PLN 1,600 and a single board has a volume of 0.015 m³, then its price is: 0.015 × 1,600 = PLN 24 gross per piece.
What does wood class C24 mean?
Class C24 is the European strength marking for construction wood (most often spruce). The number 24 means a bending strength of 24 MPa. Wood of this class is kiln-dried, planed on four sides, has bevelled edges and is certified (CE marked), which is a requirement for the construction of supporting structures for roofs and frame houses.
What allowance (supply) should be added when purchasing sawn timber?
It is recommended to add an allowance of 10% to 15% in relation to the pure calculations from the project. This supply is necessary due to the waste generated when cutting elements to size, the elimination of natural wood defects (e.g. large knots, cracks at the ends of the boards) and possible errors during assembly.