How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?

There are 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard (3 ft x 3 ft x 3 ft = 27 cu ft). This is one of the most common conversions on the FL contractor exam. To convert cubic feet to cubic yards, divide by 27.

What is the board feet formula?

Board feet = (Thickness in inches x Width in inches x Length in feet) / 12. One board foot equals a piece of lumber 1 inch thick, 12 inches wide, and 1 foot long (144 cubic inches). For example, a 2x6x10 = (2 x 6 x 10) / 12 = 10 board feet.

How many square feet are in a roofing square?

One roofing square equals 100 square feet. To find the number of squares needed, calculate the total roof area in square feet and divide by 100. For example, a 2,000 sq ft roof = 20 squares. Always add 10-15% for waste.

How do you convert Fahrenheit to Celsius?

To convert Fahrenheit to Celsius: C = (F - 32) x 5/9. To convert Celsius to Fahrenheit: F = (C x 9/5) + 32. Key reference points: 32F = 0C (water freezes), 212F = 100C (water boils), 72F = 22.2C (room temperature).

Free Calculator

Construction Unit Converter

Convert between construction units for length, area, volume, weight, and temperature. Includes exam-relevant conversions like cubic yards, board feet, and roofing squares.

From

Quick Reference — Common Construction Conversions

From

Exam

1 Cubic Yard

27 Cubic Feet

1 Roofing Square

100 Sq Feet

1 Board Foot

144 Cubic Inches

1 Acre

43,560 Sq Feet

1 Yard

3 Feet

1 Short Ton

2,000 Pounds

1 Meter

3.281 Feet

1 Gallon

0.1337 Cubic Feet

= Commonly tested on the FL contractor exam

Construction Unit Conversions for the Exam

Key Exam Formulas

The FL contractor exam frequently tests unit conversions. Memorize these: 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet; 1 roofing square = 100 sq ft; 1 board foot = (T" x W" x L') / 12; 1 acre = 43,560 sq ft; 1 short ton = 2,000 lbs. Volume problems (concrete, gravel) almost always require converting cubic feet to cubic yards by dividing by 27.

Common Exam Mistakes

The most common conversion errors on the exam: forgetting to convert inches to feet before calculating volume (e.g., a 4-inch slab = 4/12 = 0.333 ft); confusing linear feet with board feet; mixing up square yards and roofing squares; and failing to add waste factor after converting units. Always double-check that your answer's unit matches what the question asks for.

Board Feet Explained

A board foot is the standard unit for measuring lumber volume. One board foot equals a piece of wood 1 inch thick, 12 inches wide, and 1 foot long (144 cubic inches). The formula is: Board Feet = (Thickness in inches x Width in inches x Length in feet) / 12. For example, a 2x8x12 board = (2 x 8 x 12) / 12 = 16 board feet. When buying lumber, nominal dimensions (2x4) differ from actual dimensions (1.5" x 3.5"), but board feet are calculated using nominal dimensions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Master Contractor Exam Math

Unit conversions are tested on Part 3 (Project Management). Practice with real exam-style questions.

Start Free GC Practice Download the App

Explore More

Concrete Calculator

Calculate cubic yards of concrete for slabs, footings, columns & stairs

Roofing Calculator

Estimate shingles, squares, and materials by roof pitch and dimensions

Paint Calculator

Calculate gallons of paint needed for walls, ceilings & trim

Square Footage Calculator

Calculate area for rectangles, triangles, circles & complex shapes

Ready to Practice Real Exam Questions?

Try free FL General Contractor practice questions covering Business & Finance, Contract Administration, and Project Management.

Start Free Practice

FL Contractor Exam Resources

Exam Overview Practice Questions Free Practice Exam Pass Rate & Stats License Cost Guide