What is a 2×4 in metric?

A 2×4 (actual size 1½" × 3½") converts to approximately 38mm × 89mm in metric. However, metric countries have their own standard lumber sizes that don't exactly match imperial dimensions. Common metric equivalents: 40×90mm, 45×90mm, or 38×89mm depending on the country.

How do I convert board feet to cubic meters?

Multiply board feet by 0.00236 to get cubic meters. For example, 100 board feet = 0.236 m³. One cubic meter equals approximately 424 board feet.

Do other countries use board feet?

Board feet is primarily used in North America. Most other countries measure lumber in cubic meters (m³) or by the piece with metric dimensions. Canada uses both systems. Australia, Europe, and Asia use metric exclusively for lumber trading.

Metric Lumber Converter

Convert between inches, feet, millimeters, meters, board feet, and cubic meters for international lumber projects.

Metric Lumber Converter

Convert between imperial and metric lumber measurements

Conversion Mode

Inches

Feet

Common Sizes Reference

Imperial (Actual)	Metric
2×4 (1½" × 3½")	38 × 89 mm
2×6 (1½" × 5½")	38 × 140 mm
2×8 (1½" × 7¼")	38 × 184 mm
2×10 (1½" × 9¼")	38 × 235 mm
2×12 (1½" × 11¼")	38 × 286 mm
4×4 (3½" × 3½")	89 × 89 mm
6×6 (5½" × 5½")	140 × 140 mm

Results

48" in millimeters

1219.2mm

48" in centimeters

121.92cm

8' in meters

2.4384m

8' in centimeters

243.8cm

Quick Factors

1 inch = 25.4 mm

1 foot = 304.8 mm = 0.3048 m

1 board foot = 2,359.7 cm³ = 0.00236 m³

1 cubic foot = 0.0283 m³ = 28.317 L

Formulas Used

Inches to Millimeters

mm = inches × 25.4

Multiply any inch measurement by 25.4 to get millimeters.

Feet to Meters

m = feet × 0.3048

Multiply feet by 0.3048 to convert to meters.

Board Feet to Cubic Meters

m³ = BF × 0.00236

One board foot equals approximately 0.00236 cubic meters (2,360 cm³).

Imperial to Metric Lumber Conversion Guide

If you're working with international suppliers, building from metric plans, or shipping lumber overseas, you need reliable conversions between imperial and metric lumber measurements.

Quick Reference

| Imperial | Metric | |----------|--------| | 1 inch | 25.4 mm | | 1 foot | 304.8 mm / 0.3048 m | | 1 board foot | 2,359.7 cm³ / 0.00236 m³ | | 1 cubic foot | 0.0283 m³ / 28.317 L | | 1 MBF (1000 BF) | 2.36 m³ |

Common Metric Lumber Sizes

Metric countries have their own standard sizes:

| Metric Size | Closest Imperial | |------------|------------------| | 38 × 89 mm | 2×4 | | 38 × 140 mm | 2×6 | | 38 × 184 mm | 2×8 | | 38 × 235 mm | 2×10 | | 38 × 286 mm | 2×12 | | 89 × 89 mm | 4×4 | | 140 × 140 mm | 6×6 |

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Calculators

Nominal vs Actual Lumber Size Chart

Quick reference table for nominal to actual lumber dimensions — from 1×2 through 8×8 with cross-section area.

Board Feet ↔ Square Feet Converter

Convert between board feet, square feet, linear feet, and cubic feet based on board thickness and width.

Back to All Calculators