Red Oak
Quercus rubra
Genus: Quercus · Family: Fagaceae
Quick Facts
Wood Type
Hardwood
Native Range
North America
Avg. Dried Weight
44 lb/ft³
Janka Hardness
1,290 lbf
Decay Resistance
Non-Durable
Typical Color
Reddish Brown
Stability
Medium
Outdoor Suitability
Poor
Workability
Easy
Availability
Commercially Available
CITES
Unlisted
IUCN
Not Evaluated
Did You Know?
- •Red Oak is harder than 52% of the 137 species in our database.
Janka Hardness Scale
Medium
Overview
Professional Summary
Red Oak (Quercus rubra) is the most widely used hardwood in North America. Its open grain, warm reddish-brown color, and Janka hardness of 1,290 lbf make it the benchmark species for flooring and furniture. Unlike White Oak, Red Oak lacks tyloses and is not suitable for liquid-tight applications like barrels.
In Plain English
Red Oak is America's most popular hardwood. You'll find it in floors, cabinets, and furniture across the country. It has a distinctive open grain pattern, warm pinkish-brown color, and is easy to work with. Affordable and widely available.
Appearance
Technical Properties
Sources, Conditions & Safety
No documented references are attached to this profile yet. Its recorded values should not be treated as source-verified.
Wood dust & sensitivity
Species-specific safety information has not been documented here. Absence of a warning does not mean the wood is safe or non-allergenic.
Use dust extraction and appropriate protective equipment; consult occupational-safety guidance. This is not medical advice or food-contact approval.
Durability & Performance
Workability
Common Uses
The industry standard for residential flooring, cabinetry, furniture, and general millwork. Extremely cost-effective for interior applications.
Sustainability & Trade
Listings are reference information, not proof of legal sourcing or certification. Verify current trade rules and supplier documentation before buying; absence of a note does not mean unrestricted trade.
Not suitable for outdoor use or water-contact applications — lacks tyloses so it absorbs moisture readily. Open pore structure means it requires grain filler for a glass-smooth finish.
Native Distribution
Find Substitutes
AI-powered alternative species matching
You Might Also Consider
Species with similar characteristics and uses
Look-Alike Species
Woods with a similar reddish brown color that are easily confused with Red Oak. Recorded differences are shown where data exists; confirm identification with end-grain examination.
- • Harder (Janka 1,750 lbf)
- • Decay: Durable
- • Texture: Medium
- • Softer (Janka 1,070 lbf)
- • Lighter (37 lb/ft³)
- • Decay: Moderately Durable
- • Texture: Medium to coarse
- • Lighter (40 lb/ft³)
- • Decay: Moderately Durable
- • Texture: Medium
- • Harder (Janka 2,430 lbf)
- • Heavier (55 lb/ft³)
- • Decay: Durable
- • Texture: Medium to coarse
