Red alder board foot calculator
Red alder typically runs $4–$7 per board foot for 4/4 surfaced stock in the US. Calculate board feet, cost and weight for your project below.
| Thickness | Width (in) | Length | Qty | Board feet | Remove |
|---|
Price ranges are typical US retail for surfaced stock, reviewed October 2026. Thicker stock carries a per-BF premium. Lumber prices move often and vary 20–40% by region; enter your yard's price for an exact figure.
Red alder price per board foot by thickness
| Thickness | Typical $ / BF | Weight per ft (6" wide) |
|---|---|---|
| 4/4 (1" rough) | $4.00–$7.00 | 1.2 lb |
| 5/4 (1.25" rough) | $4.40–$7.70 | 1.5 lb |
| 6/4 (1.5" rough) | $4.80–$8.40 | 1.8 lb |
| 8/4 (2" rough) | $5.20–$9.10 | 2.3 lb |
| 12/4 (3" rough) | $6.40–$11.20 | 3.5 lb |
Ranges reviewed October 2026. Thick-stock premiums are typical; your yard may price differently. Grade (FAS vs. #1 Common), width and figure all move the price.
Common red alder board sizes
| Board | Board feet | Est. cost | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4/4 × 6" × 8 ft | 4 | $16–$28 | 9 lb |
| 4/4 × 8" × 8 ft | 5.33 | $21–$37 | 12 lb |
| 5/4 × 6" × 8 ft | 5 | $22–$39 | 12 lb |
| 8/4 × 6" × 8 ft | 8 | $42–$73 | 19 lb |
| 8/4 × 8" × 10 ft | 13.33 | $69–$121 | 31 lb |
Example: a red alder dining tabletop
A 7 ft × 35" top glued up from five 8/4 boards, each 7" wide and 7 ft long, is 40.8 BF. With 15% waste that's 47 BF, roughly $244–$427 in red alder at typical prices, and about 110 lb of rough lumber to haul home. For a full parts list with legs and aprons, see how much lumber you need for a dining table.
About red alder
| Group | Domestic hardwood |
|---|---|
| Density (~12% MC) | 28 lb/ft³ (2.3 lb per board foot) |
| Janka hardness | 590 lbf |
| Common uses | Cabinets, furniture, millwork |
Takes stain well; common stand-in for cherry.
Tools for working red alder
- Moisture meter: check stock is at 6–8% before you build furniture.
- Tape measure and lumber crayons for marking boards at the yard.
Lumber buying guides
- How to Calculate Board Feet (With Examples)The board foot formula, worked examples for hardwood and dimensional lumber, and how to turn board feet into a price at the lumber yard.
- What Do 4/4, 5/4 and 8/4 Mean in Lumber?The quarter system for hardwood thickness, actual surfaced thicknesses for 4/4 through 16/4, and why 5/4 deck boards are different.
- Rough vs. Surfaced Lumber: S2S, S4S and SL1E ExplainedWhat RGH, S2S, S3S, S4S and SL1E mean on a lumber price list, what each costs you in thickness and waste, and which to buy for your shop.
- Hardwood Lumber Grades Explained: FAS, Select and #1 CommonHow NHLA hardwood grades work, the clear-wood yield of each grade, and when cheaper
- How Much Lumber Do I Need for a Dining Table?A worked example for a 6 ft × 36" dining table, from parts list to board feet, waste and cost, so you know what to buy before you go to the yard.