Forestry Wood and Product Volume Conversion Factors

Approximate Conversions of the Most Common Units of Wood Measure

I have compiled a list of common wood conversions foresters, loggers and timber owners need on occasion. Please remember that they are to be used for approximations only and should not be used when extreme accuracy is called for, especially when selling timber products.

Here are some definitions of terms used:

• A standard cord is considered a 4'x4'x8' stack of wood including bark and air space.
• A board foot is a wood plank 1"x12"x1'.
• MBF means thousand board feet
• A log rule is a tabular system used in determining the net volumetric yield of a log.
• One cubic foot is equivalent to a 12"x12"x12" solid cube of wood.

 

Approximate Weight Conversions

Cord of Pine Pulpwood to Pounds and Tons

Cord or Hardwood Pulpwood to Pounds and Tons

Thousand Board Feet of Pine Sawtimber to Pounds and Tons

Thousand Board Feet of Hardwood Sawtimber to Pounds and Tons

Ratio of Pine Pulpwood to Pine Sawtimber

Ratio of Hardwood Pulpwood to Hardwood Sawtimber

 

Approximate Cubic Foot Conversions

Standard Cord to Cubic Foot

Solid Cord to Cubic Foot

Cunit to Cubic Foot

Thousand Board Feet to Cubic Foot

Ratio of Board Feet per Cubic Foot

 

Approximate Log Rule Conversions

Scribner Log Rule to Doyle

Doyle Log Rule to Scribner

Scribner Log Rule to International

International Log Rule to Scribner

International Log Rule to Doyle

Doyle Log Rule to International

 

Approximate Cord to Board Foot Conversions

One Thousand Board Feet Pine to Cord

One Thousand Board Feet Hardwood to Cord

 

Approximate Miscellaneous Conversions

Posts to board feet

Ties to board feet

Handles to Cords

Staves to Cords

Charcoal to Cords

Cord of Chips to Pounds and Tons

Sources:
Converting Factors for Southern Pine Products (USFS)
Service Forester's Handbook (USFS)
Forest Measurements (Avery)
Timber-Mart South Inc