What does one board foot (bf) of lumber equal?

One board foot of lumber is defined as a volume measurement equal to a piece of wood that is 1 inch thick, 12 inches wide, and 12 inches long. This results in a volume of 144 cubic inches, which is the standard measure used in the lumber industry to quantify and trade wood.

The other choices represent different dimensions that do not equate to one board foot. For instance, a 2 x 4 x 4 inch piece of lumber yields a volume of 32 cubic inches, a 3 x 3 x 3 inch piece provides 27 cubic inches, and a 1 x 6 x 8 inch piece results in 48 cubic inches. Each of these options reflects a volume less than one board foot, making the first option the accurate representation of what constitutes a board foot of lumber.