Board Feet to Cords Converter
Enter the lumber volume in board feet below to convert it to cords.
Convert Board Feet to Cords
Enter a value in board feet (FBM) to convert to cords (cord).
Board Foot to Cord Conversion Table
Table showing various board foot measurements converted to cords. Click any preset value or arrow to load it into the converter.
| Board Feet (FBM) | Cords (cord) |
|---|---|
| 1 FBM | 0.000651042 cord |
| 2 FBM | 0.0013021 cord |
| 2.5 FBM | 0.0016276 cord |
| 5 FBM | 0.0032552 cord |
| 10 FBM | 0.0065104 cord |
| 15 FBM | 0.0097656 cord |
| 20 FBM | 0.0130208 cord |
| 25 FBM | 0.016276 cord |
| 30 FBM | 0.0195313 cord |
| 50 FBM | 0.0325521 cord |
How to Convert Board Feet to Cords
To convert board feet to cords, multiply the lumber volume by the following conversion ratio: 0.000651042 cords/board foot.
Since one board foot is equal to 0.000651042 cords, you can use this simple formula to convert:
The lumber volume in cords is equal to the lumber volume in board feet multiplied by 0.000651042.
For example, here's how to convert 5 board feet to cords using the formula above.
How Many Cords Are in a Board Foot?
There are 0.000651042 cords in a board foot, which is why we use this value in the formula above.
Our board foot to cord calculator automatically converts your lumber volume measurements with full decimal and scientific precision across US customary, imperial, and SI metric standards.
Board Feet and cords are both units used to measure lumber volume. Keep reading to learn more about each unit.
What Is a Board Foot?
North American lumber volume unit equal to 1 ft × 1 ft × 1 in (144 in³ = 1/12 ft³). It serves as a primary reference unit for measuring lumber volume across scientific and practical applications. [1]
The board foot is classified as a US customary unit of lumber volume. Board Feet can be abbreviated as FBM; for example, 1 board foot can be written as 1 FBM.
As the primary coherent reference unit for lumber volume in this category, all other lumber volume units are mathematically anchored to the board foot (FBM).
In practice, board feet (FBM) are widely used across standard lumber volume applications within US customary workflows, engineering documentation, and technical data sheets.
What Is a Cord?
A cord is a unit of lumber volume equal to 1,536 board feet (FBM), the base unit for lumber volume. Full stacked cord (4 ft × 4 ft × 8 ft = 128 ft³ = 1,536 board feet). [2]
The cord is classified as a US customary unit of lumber volume. Cords can be abbreviated as cord; for example, 1 cord can be written as 1 cord.
When working with cords (cord) in formulas or technical specifications, always verify whether your target system uses SI metric, US customary, or British imperial standards.
In practice, cords (cord) are widely used across large-scale industrial, bulk, and macro-level lumber volume specifications within US customary workflows, engineering documentation, and technical data sheets.
When converting lumber volume between board feet (FBM) and cords (cord), keep full floating-point precision (1 FBM = 0.000651042 cord; 1 cord = 1,536 FBM) during intermediate calculations and round only the final cord figure to match your instrument tolerance.
More Board Foot & Cord Conversions
Need to calculate in the opposite direction? Use our cords to board feet calculator to switch your starting unit immediately. You can also explore related tools such as converting cords to board feet, converting board feet to thousand board feet (mbf), or converting board feet to cubic feet (ft³).
Convert from Board Feet
Frequently Asked Questions
References
- [1]NIST OWM StandardNIST OWM (SI Units — Length)·Volume - Lumber Metrology Standard — Board Feet (FBM) to Cords (cord)
- [2]BIPM SpecificationBIPM (SI Base Unit: Metre (m))·Unit Specifications: Board Foot (FBM) & Cord (Firewood / Pulpwood) (cord)
- [3]NIST HB 133 ReferenceNIST HB 133 (NIST Handbook 133 (2019 Ed.))·Conversion Factors & Mathematical Basis (FBM to cord)