How Much Does Wood Weigh?

Wood is popular in construction, furniture, transportation, and many DIY tasks. Contractors, carpenters, and hobbyists must understand wood weight when designing, shipping, or planning any structure that will hold weight.  When planning a project, especially one involving structures or shipping, you’ll need to perform a lumber take off, a detailed estimate of the wood required. This step helps you calculate the total volume, type, and weight of lumber you need, allowing you to make smart choices about materials, structural loads, and transport logistics.

The weight of wood can change depending on certain factors. It depends on whether the wood is from a specific type of tree, is moist or dry, and if it is still green or has dried.

Why Does Wood Weight Matter?

It is important to understand the weight of wood for several different reasons.

• Construction: When building, it is necessary to use accurate weight estimates of wood to avoid hazards.

• Shipping: The cost of shipping depends on the weight of your lumber, as they are charged by the carrier based on this.

• Furniture Design: When designing furniture, lightweight wood is ideal for moving, but heavier wood is more likely to last longer.

• Fuel Efficiency: If you are burning denser woods in your fireplace or wood-burning stove, you will use less wood to get the same amount of heat.

How Is Wood Weight Measured?

Wood weight is typically expressed in:

• Pounds per cubic foot (lb/ft³) in the United States.

• Kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m³) in most other countries.
  
  

To estimate the weight of a specific wood board, you can use the formula:

Weight (lb) = Volume (ft³) × Density (lb/ft³)

To calculate volume:

Volume (ft³) = (Length × Width × Thickness in inches) ÷ 1728

Average Weight of Different Wood Types (Dry)

The values below represent the average weights of different wood types when they are about 12% moist:

Balsa: Weighs between 8 pounds and 12 pounds per cubic foot (around 128 kilograms to 192 kilograms per cubic meter). It is well-known for being very light and is commonly chosen for modeling applications.

White Pine: On average, it weighs about 22 to 25 pounds per cubic foot (352 to 400 kilograms per cubic meter). This species is popularly used in framing and building homes.

Red Cedar: Average weight is 23 pounds per cubic foot (about 368 kilograms per cubic meter). Due to being light, smelling pleasant, and resisting decay, it is often used for outdoor furniture and siding.

Douglas Fir: One cubic foot measures approximately 31 pounds or 496 kilograms. This type of wood is popular because it has moderate density and strong properties.

Red Oak: On average, there are around 44 pounds per cubic foot (close to 704 kilograms per cubic meter). Strong and long-lasting, used a lot for flooring and furniture.

White Oak: This type of oak is heavier than red oak, as one cubic foot weighs around 47 pounds (752 kilos) compared to red oak’s 43 pounds per cubic foot. They are very strong and protect against water.

Hard Maple: On average, it weighs 44 pounds per cubic foot (about 704 kilograms per cubic meter). Being very heavy and tough, teakwood is often found in countertops and working blocks.

Black Walnut weighs 38 pounds for every cubic foot, which is the same as 608 kilograms per cubic meter. Known for its attractive color, and is applied to high-end furniture and cabinetry.

Cherry: Its density is around 36 pounds per cubic foot (close to 576 kilograms per cubic meter). It is distinguished by its smooth surface and reddish color.

Teak: The weight is from 41 to 45 pounds per cubic foot, equivalent to about 656 to 720 kilograms per cubic meter. Typically used for boats and outdoor furniture because it is very durable.

Hickory: Known as a heavy wood, it weighs around 50 pounds per cubic foot (800 kilograms per cubic meter). This material is hard and used in tools and for flooring.

Mahogany: Most Mahogany wood weighs anywhere from 36 to 40 pounds per cubic foot (equivalent to 576 to 640 kilograms per cubic meter). This hardwood is often seen in fine furniture and used in making musical instruments.

Factors That Affect Wood Weight

Several elements influence how much wood weighs:

1. Types of Wood

All types of wood have unique structures at the cell level. Oak and maple are among the heavy hardwoods, while pine and cedar are much lighter because they are softwoods.

2. Moisture Content

Wood that has just been cut (known as green wood) holds lots of water, which makes it very heavy in comparison to dry wood. With time, wood will either dry on its own or be kiln-dried to lower its moisture.

• Green wood holds much more moisture than cured wood (between 60% and over 100% of its dry weight).

• Air-dried wood usually has 12 to 20% moisture content.

• Kilned wood generally holds between 6% and 10% of moisture.

3. Wood Processing

A coating, preservatives, or glue on milled or treated wood may add to its overall weight.

Green Wood vs. Dry Wood: Weight Comparison

Let’s compare green and dry versions of the same species: