Western red cedar board foot calculator
Western red cedar typically runs $5–$10 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.
Western red cedar price per board foot by thickness
| Thickness | Typical $ / BF | Weight per ft (6" wide) |
|---|---|---|
| 4/4 (1" rough) | $5.00–$10.00 | 1 lb |
| 5/4 (1.25" rough) | $5.50–$11.00 | 1.2 lb |
| 6/4 (1.5" rough) | $6.00–$12.00 | 1.4 lb |
| 8/4 (2" rough) | $6.50–$13.00 | 1.9 lb |
| 12/4 (3" rough) | $8.00–$16.00 | 2.9 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 western red cedar board sizes
| Board | Board feet | Est. cost | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4/4 × 6" × 8 ft | 4 | $20–$40 | 8 lb |
| 4/4 × 8" × 8 ft | 5.33 | $27–$53 | 10 lb |
| 5/4 × 6" × 8 ft | 5 | $28–$55 | 10 lb |
| 8/4 × 6" × 8 ft | 8 | $52–$104 | 15 lb |
| 8/4 × 8" × 10 ft | 13.33 | $87–$173 | 26 lb |
Example: a western red cedar 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 $305–$610 in western red cedar at typical prices, and about 90 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 western red cedar
| Group | Softwood |
|---|---|
| Density (~12% MC) | 23 lb/ft³ (1.9 lb per board foot) |
| Janka hardness | 350 lbf |
| Common uses | Outdoor furniture, fences, siding, chests |
Naturally rot-resistant heartwood; very light.
Tools for working western red cedar
- 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.