Wood prices typically range from about $2 to $25 per board foot for common retail lumber, depending on species, grade, thickness, and whether the boards are surfaced. These wood types and prices apply to small-to-medium U.S. projects; bulk orders, local supply, board dimensions, and delivery can shift the estimate.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pine lumber | $2 per board foot | $3.50 per board foot | $6 per board foot | Common softwood; grade and surfacing change price |
| Douglas fir lumber | $3 per board foot | $5 per board foot | $8 per board foot | Structural and finish uses |
| Cedar lumber | $4 per board foot | $7 per board foot | $12 per board foot | Often selected for outdoor resistance |
| Red oak lumber | $5 per board foot | $8 per board foot | $14 per board foot | Domestic hardwood; grade matters |
| Maple lumber | $6 per board foot | $10 per board foot | $17 per board foot | Hard maple often costs more than soft maple |
| Walnut lumber | $10 per board foot | $17 per board foot | $28 per board foot | Color, width, and clear grade affect price |
Typical lumber prices by wood type and board foot
For furniture, shelving, trim, and smaller woodworking jobs, retail hardwood is commonly priced by the board foot. One board foot is a piece 1 inch thick, 12 inches wide, and 12 inches long; a board 2 inches thick, 6 inches wide, and 12 inches long also equals one board foot. Retail shops may quote surfaced boards by the board foot or display a total board price.
For many home projects, budget roughly $3-$8 per board foot for common softwoods and $6-$18 for frequently used domestic hardwoods. Pine and poplar are typically lower-cost choices, while walnut and premium cherry can reach $20 or more per board foot. These are broad retail ranges for usable, standard-grade material, not a guaranteed local quote.
Construction lumber is often sold by dimension and length rather than by board foot. A standard 2-by-4 can cost about $3-$8 for an 8-foot piece and $5-$12 for a 12-foot piece, with regional and treatment differences. Pressure-treated boards often cost more than untreated boards of the same size. Compare the total price for the same dimensions, grade, and moisture condition before treating a per-piece quote as a better deal.
Assumptions: U.S. retail purchases, ordinary access, standard grades, and no specialty milling or delivery.
What a lumber quote includes beyond the species
A board-foot rate is only one part of the amount paid. A quote may include surfacing, straight-line ripping, custom thicknessing, delivery, and sales tax. Some sellers price rough-sawn lumber more cheaply but charge for milling it to finished dimensions. Ask whether the listed dimensions are actual finished measurements or nominal sizes.
Compare quotes on the finished, usable quantity rather than the advertised rate alone. A board that needs extensive planing or has defects can yield less usable material than a surfaced board with a higher initial price. Shops may also apply a minimum purchase, cutting fee, or delivery charge for small orders.
| Quote component | Typical price range | What changes the charge | Common pricing unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rough lumber | $2-$28 | Species, grade, thickness, and width | Per board foot |
| Surfacing and milling | $0.50-$2.50 | Number of sides, cut complexity, and shop minimum | Per board foot or board |
| Dimensional construction lumber | $3-$25 | Length, treatment, and grade | Per piece |
| Delivery | $50-$200 | Distance, load size, and unloading needs | Per order |
| Waste allowance | 10%-25% of material budget | Cut layout, defects, and grain matching | Project allowance |
For a custom furniture purchase, milling can add roughly $20-$100 to a small order, especially when the shop must make several cuts or prepare stock to a precise thickness. Delivery may be waived for a large order or cost more for remote access. Confirm whether quoted rates include tax, which varies by state and locality.
How grade, thickness, and board width change wood prices
Species alone does not determine the price. Clear, defect-free boards generally cost more than boards with knots, color variation, or other natural characteristics. Select-grade lumber can be worth the premium for visible cabinet fronts or tabletops, while lower grades may work well for painted shelving or hidden framing.
Thickness and usable yield can matter as much as the species name. A 4/4 rough board is nominally 1 inch thick before surfacing, but its finished thickness is usually less. A 8/4 board starts around 2 inches thick and often costs substantially more per board foot because it is less common and requires more drying time. Wide boards over 10-12 inches can also carry a premium, particularly in walnut, cherry, or figured maple.
Moisture condition affects suitability and price. Kiln-dried lumber is generally appropriate for indoor furniture; green or air-dried stock may be cheaper but can shrink or warp as it dries. For exterior applications, the right choice may be pressure-treated lumber or a naturally durable species. Cedar decking, for example, often costs about $3-$8 per linear foot for common board profiles, while higher grades and thicker boards can exceed that range.
Order enough extra material to allow for defects and cutting. A simple shelf project may need only 10% extra, while a table with matched grain, long uninterrupted boards, or angled cuts may require 20%-25%. The allowance should be based on the layout and board quality, not added automatically to every purchase.
Hardwood versus softwood prices for home projects
Softwood usually provides the lowest material cost for framing, utility shelves, and painted projects. Pine, fir, and spruce are widely available and often sold in standard lengths. They are not necessarily softer in every practical sense, but they generally cost less than decorative hardwoods because they are common and grow relatively quickly.
Choose by required performance and finish, not by the hardwood or softwood label. Poplar, often about $3-$7 per board foot, is a lower-cost hardwood used for painted trim and furniture parts. Red oak at roughly $5-$14 per board foot has a pronounced grain and is often used for cabinets and flooring. Walnut, commonly $10-$28 per board foot, is typically selected for its dark color and appearance rather than as an economical structural choice.
For an outdoor bench, compare treated pine, cedar, and hardwood options based on exposure and maintenance as well as purchase price. Treated pine may cost less upfront, but it can need more finishing or inspection over time. Cedar costs more at the lumberyard but is naturally suited to many outdoor applications. For indoor shelving that will be painted, paying a walnut premium usually adds little practical value.
Sheet goods can be less expensive than solid boards for large flat surfaces. A 4-by-8-foot plywood sheet may cost about $25-$100, depending on thickness, veneer, and grade; cabinet-grade hardwood plywood can cost more. Plywood is often a sensible choice for cabinet sides and wide panels, while solid lumber is useful for edges, trim, and visible joinery.
Why lumber prices differ between U.S. regions
Retail lumber prices vary with local supply, shipping distance, competition, and the species grown or processed nearby. A rough planning allowance is 10%-25% above a broad national retail estimate in high-cost coastal metros or areas with limited specialty suppliers. Rural areas near mills may have lower prices for local species but higher delivery charges or fewer choices in premium grades.
Regional differences are most noticeable for specialty hardwoods, long boards, and small orders. Cedar may be relatively accessible in parts of the West, while oak and maple are common at many suppliers in the Midwest and East. These patterns are not guarantees: a large city may have competitive wholesale yards, and a remote buyer may pay a freight premium even for a common species.
For a meaningful comparison, request the same species, grade, thickness, surfacing, and board length from at least two suppliers. Ask whether the price is per board foot or per piece and whether the seller counts rough dimensions or finished dimensions. If the material is being delivered, compare the full delivered total rather than the lumber subtotal.
Three sample lumber budgets for common projects
These examples show how species and waste allowances affect a realistic purchase. They cover materials only unless a milling charge is stated; they do not include sales tax, tools, finishing supplies, or installation labor.
A modest furniture order can vary by hundreds of dollars when the species changes. A supplier’s stock and the dimensions available may produce a different result, so buyers should treat these as planning estimates rather than fixed bids.
| Project and material | Quantity | Material estimate | Other charges | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Painted bookcase, pine | 30 board feet plus 15% waste | $75-$180 | $0-$60 milling | $75-$240 |
| Oak dining table top | 45 board feet plus 20% waste | $270-$760 | $25-$100 milling | $295-$860 |
| Walnut desk top | 30 board feet plus 20% waste | $360-$1,010 | $25-$100 milling | $385-$1,110 |
The pine bookcase assumes common boards that will be painted, not select clear stock. The oak table estimate assumes boards suitable for a visible surface, where matching color and grain may limit yield. The walnut desk estimate reflects a broad range for standard retail stock; wide, clear, or figured boards can push the purchase above the high estimate.
At a local shop, labor for custom furniture assembly is separate from the lumber bill and can range from about $50-$100 per hour. A basic project may require several hours, while joinery, finishing, and fitting can add substantially more. Ask for a materials list and labor estimate separately so a high total can be traced to its source.
When to pay more for premium lumber grades
Premium grade is most valuable when the board will remain visible and defects would affect appearance or strength. Cabinet doors, tabletops, and exposed trim may justify clearer, wider stock. For painted panels, blocking, or hidden framing, a lower grade can reduce the bill without affecting the finished look if defects are positioned or cut out appropriately.
Buy the grade that matches the finished surface and structural use, not the most expensive grade available. A lower-grade board can be a good value for short pieces, but it is less economical if knots or cracks leave too little usable length. For load-bearing framing, follow the required structural grade and local building code rather than choosing by price alone.
Specialty species and appearance features can carry steep premiums. Figured maple, highly figured walnut, quartersawn oak, and unusually wide boards may cost 25%-100% more than standard stock. If the pattern is not essential, ordinary flat-sawn lumber often supplies the same basic function at a lower price.
Lower the wood bill with smarter board selection
Start with a cut list that includes finished dimensions, then ask a supplier to identify stock that can yield those pieces. This reduces overbuying and helps reveal whether a board-foot estimate includes enough allowance for defects. For a simple project, a 10%-15% waste reserve may be adequate; complex layouts or grain-matched work often need more.
The largest controllable savings usually come from reducing waste and avoiding unnecessary premium grades. Consider poplar or pine for painted work, standard-width boards instead of extra-wide stock, and plywood for large hidden panels. Keep species consistent where appearance matters, but use less expensive material for concealed supports if the design and structural requirements allow it.
Compare rough and surfaced prices only after adding any milling charge. If the project allows, buying standard lengths can be cheaper than ordering custom cuts. Combining a lumber purchase with another planned order may reduce delivery expense, while taking home smaller boards can avoid a delivery minimum. Store wood flat and dry after purchase to prevent damage that would waste paid material.
For larger orders, ask whether the seller offers a volume rate and whether the discount applies to the entire order or only selected species. Inspect boards for twist, cracks, and usable length before paying when the supplier permits it. A slightly higher per-board-foot rate may be the lower-cost choice if it delivers more usable material and avoids extra milling or replacement stock.