Log Volume

Charts for International 1/4-inch and Scribner log volume. May 4, 2001

International 1/4-Inch Log Volume (Board Feet)

Courtesy: Professor Gene Wengert

Note: An explanation follows the table

Dia.
(inches)
Log Length (feet)
6810121416

651010151520
7101015202530
8101520253540
9152030354550
10203035455565
11253545557080
12304555708595
1340557085100115
14456580100115135
15557595115135160
166085110130155180
177095125150180205
1880110140170200230
1990125155190225260
20100135175210250290
21115 155195235280320
22125170215260305355
23140185235285335390
24 150205255310370425
25165220280340400460
26180240305370435500

Notes: This is based on the small end diameter, inside bark. For oval logs, measure the average diameter.

This scale is really close to the actual yield of lumber in a circular mill with 1/4-inch wide teeth. For a band mill, actual yields will be a little higher. Often logs are bought and sold on the Doyle or Scribner scales--these two scales are very close to each other. They underestimate the volume in smaller logs. This is useful for the sawmill as smaller logs have more handling costs. So, you could either scale the logs with the International 1/4-inch scale but then pay a lower price for small logs due to the increased handling, or you could scale the logs lower and then pay the same $/BF for all logs regardless of size.

Logs may also be graded, which is a quality measure, not volume measure.

Scribner Log Volume (Board Feet)


Diameter (inches) Log Length (feet)
6 8 10 12 14 16

6 5 5 10 10 10 20
7 5 10 10 20 20 30
8 10 10 20 20 20 30
9 10 20 30 30 30 40
10 20 30 30 30 40 60
11 20 30 40 40 50 70
12 30 40 50 60 70 80
13 40 50 60 70 80 100
14 40 60 70 90 100 110
15 50 70 90 110 120 140
16 60 80 100 120 140 160
17 70 90 120 140 160 180
18 80 110 130 160 190 210
19 90 120 150 180 210 240
20 110 140 170 210 240 280
21 120 150 190 230 270 300
22 130 170 210 250 290 330
23 140 190 230 280 330 380
24 150 210 250 300 350 400
25 170 230 290 340 400 460
26 190 250 310 370 440 500