Lumber & Material
Hardwood Grade Yield Estimator
Estimate how many usable board feet you'll get from a FAS, No. 1 Common, or Select pack — by species and width.
Calculator
FAS / No. 1 Common / No. 2A Common
What makes this different
Most calculators assume 100 % yield. This one applies NHLA yield rules — minimum clear cuttings of 4 in × 5 ft or 3 in × 7 ft for FAS, with species-specific sound-clear vs sap rules.
Who it's for & when to use it
Pricing a custom furniture job; deciding which grade to buy; estimating waste before milling.
How to use
- Enter the dimensions of your material or the parameters of your project.
- Adjust the optional knobs (waste factor, kerf, planer allowance) to match your shop practice.
- Click Calculate and read the output. Use the per-item breakdown for ordering, the totals for budgeting.
- Compare the result to your lumber yard's quote — the effective $/BF column is the apples-to-apples number.
Formula: FAS yield ≈ 83–91 %; No. 1 Common ≈ 66–75 %; No. 2A Common ≈ 50–60 %. Reduce by 5–10 % if min width exceeds 4 in.
Notes & tips from the shop
- FAS gets you the longest, widest cuttings. Number 1 Common is fine for most furniture if you can work around smaller pieces.
- Hard maple yields less than red oak because of the color and grade rules — it's the most color-strict common hardwood.
- Always buy 10–20 % over your nominal need; grade rules are statistical, not guaranteed.
Frequently asked questions
Is FAS always worth the price?
No — for short pieces (knobs, drawer pulls), No. 1 Common is a better value.
Why does my 'yield' calculation underperform the rule?
Defect, color matching, and warp aren't counted in the NHLA yield rules. Add a real-world factor of 10–15 %.
What's the difference between Select and FAS?
Select is one face FAS, the other face No. 1. Useful when only one face shows.
Limitations
Yield based on standard NHLA clear-cuttings. Specific customer color or grain matching reduces yield further.
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