Lumber Tally Calculator
Add and total mixed lumber sizes while keeping invalid rows visible.
| Row | Label | Inputs | Basis | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Walnut boards | 1.25 in × 7.5 in × 8 ft × 3 | actual | 18.75 BF |
| 2 | Maple shelf stock | 1 in × 10 in × 6 ft × 2 | actual | 10 BF |
Calculations run locally in your browser. Inputs are not transmitted or attached to analytics.
A tally preserves each distinct line item
A lumber tally is more than a grand total. Each row records a label, declared actual or nominal basis, thickness, width, length and quantity. BoardFoot Bench calculates the row from its own inputs, keeps invalid rows visible, and adds only valid unrounded row totals. This prevents a missing dimension from becoming an unexplained zero and prevents repeated display rounding from drifting into the final sum.
Use a new row whenever size, length, quantity group or measurement basis changes. Two pieces sold under the same description may still need separate rows if their measured widths differ. The on-screen table and copied tally preserve raw inputs, units, basis, per-row status and the derived total.
Worked mixed-order example
Three walnut boards at 1.25 × 7.5 inches and 8 feet contribute 18.75 BF. Two maple boards at 1 × 10 inches and 6 feet contribute 10 BF. The valid-row total is therefore 28.75 BF. If a third row has a blank width, that row remains labelled as invalid and is excluded with an explicit warning; the tool does not pretend the row contains zero lumber.
Copying and printing an auditable tally
Copy full tally creates a plain-text record containing every label, raw dimension, unit, basis, per-piece value, row total or error, and the valid-row total. Print tally uses a compact print layout focused on the output table and total. Neither action converts nominal figures, supplies grade information or adds waste. Record any supplier rounding, width-measurement rule or tally convention alongside the exported result.
Common tally failures
Mixing actual and nominal figures without row labels is a frequent source of disagreement. Other failures include entering inches in the feet field, combining boards of unlike widths, rounding every line before summing, and deleting an invalid row before the omission is understood. The tool surfaces these issues, but the user remains responsible for confirming the seller or contract measurement convention.
- Give every row a recognisable stock or invoice label.
- Review invalid rows before copying or printing.
- Apply allowance and price only after the base tally is agreed.
Questions about this topic
Why is an invalid row excluded?
Including it as zero would make an incomplete order look valid. The visible warning preserves the omission for review.
Can rows use different bases?
Yes. Each row has its own actual or nominal selector, and the basis appears in the output.
Does printing send the tally anywhere?
No. It invokes the browser print dialog; calculations remain in the browser.
Related BoardFoot Bench pages
Method and content reviewed 3 September 2026.