Document and Entity Information Document - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Nov. 01, 2019
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2019
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-35805
Entity Registrant Name	Boise Cascade Company
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	20-1496201
Entity Address, Address Line One	1111 West Jefferson Street Suite 300
Entity Address, City or Town	Boise
Entity Address, State or Province	ID
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	83702-5389
City Area Code	208
Local Phone Number	384-6161
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share
Trading Symbol	BCC
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		38,975,832
Entity Central Index Key	0001328581
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false