Lumber & Material
Log Volume Calculator (Doyle / Scribner / International)
Estimate log board-foot volume using three scaling rules — and see how Doyle famously under-counts small logs.
Calculator
What makes this different
Most online log calculators only show one rule (usually Doyle). This one computes all three side-by-side so you can see when Doyle is unfair to small-diameter logs. It also lets you set log length and a saw kerf.
Who it's for & when to use it
Pricing standing timber; negotiating with a logger; understanding why the 'thousand board feet' number on a sawmill receipt looks different from the lumber you take home.
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: Doyle BF = ((D−4)² × L) / 16, where D is small-end diameter in inches. Scribner and International use 1-inch and 1/2-inch log rules respectively.
Notes & tips from the shop
- Doyle underestimates small logs (< 16 in) and slightly overestimates very large logs.
- Scribner tables assume a 1/4-in kerf and a 4-in trim. Adjust kerf if your mill uses thinner blades.
- International 1/4-inch rule is the most accurate for hardwood logs above 12 in.
Frequently asked questions
Which rule should I use?
In the US Midwest and South, Doyle is standard. In the Pacific Northwest, Scribner. International is most accurate but least commonly used in pricing.
Why does Doyle penalize me for small logs?
Doyle was designed in the 1800s for large timber. Its simplicity comes at the cost of accuracy for small diameters.
Does kerf matter much?
For thin-kerf band mills, you can recover 5–10 % more BF on every log.
Limitations
Volume only — does not price the log, account for defect (cull percentage), or handle taper differently than a simple cone.
All calculations happen in your browser — nothing you type is sent to a server.