What unit of measurement is typically used for lumber?

Lumber is typically measured in board feet, which is a unit that quantifies the volume of lumber. One board foot is equivalent to a board that is 1 foot long, 1 foot wide, and 1 inch thick. This unit is particularly useful because it takes into account both the width and thickness of the wood, making it a standard measurement in the lumber industry for pricing and inventory purposes.

While square feet could be used for flooring or other applications where surface area is a primary concern, it does not adequately account for the thickness of the lumber. Linear feet is useful for measuring the length of lumber pieces but does not reflect their volume. Cubic feet measures volume more generally, but it is not commonly used for lumber specifically, as the board foot provides a more relevant measure that aligns with how lumber is purchased and sold in the market. Consequently, board foot is the most appropriate unit of measurement for lumber.