Wood Weight Calculator
Estimate lumber weight by species
Calculate the weight of wood based on dimensions or board feet, using real density data from our species database. Essential for shipping, structural planning, and project logistics.
Input Method
Select a species to calculate weight
Select a wood species to see weight results
Weight depends on species density — search above to get started
Wood Weight Formula
Weight (lbs) = (Board Feet ÷ 12) × Density (lb/ft³)
Board feet ÷ 12 converts to cubic feet. Multiply by species density for air-dried (12% MC) weight.
Heaviest Wood Species
| Species | lb/ft³ | kg/m³ |
|---|---|---|
| Lignum Vitae | 79 | 1266 |
| Snakewood | 76 | 1218 |
| Kingwood | 75 | 1201 |
| Ebony | 73 | 1170 |
| Cocobolo | 69 | 1105 |
| Ipê | 69 | 1100 |
| Macassar Ebony | 69 | 1105 |
| Massaranduba | 69 | 1105 |
| Azobe | 68 | 1090 |
| Cumaru | 68 | 1090 |
| Ironbark | 68 | 1090 |
| Curupay | 65 | 1041 |
| Angelim Vermelho | 63 | 1009 |
| Bloodwood | 62 | 993 |
| Live Oak | 62 | 993 |
Lightest Wood Species
| Species | lb/ft³ | kg/m³ |
|---|---|---|
| Balsa | 9 | 144 |
| Western Red Cedar | 23 | 370 |
| Obeche | 24 | 385 |
| Balsam Fir | 25 | 401 |
| Eastern White Pine | 25 | 400 |
| Sugar Pine | 25 | 401 |
| Basswood | 26 | 417 |
| Redwood | 26 | 417 |
| Butternut | 27 | 433 |
| Grand Fir | 27 | 433 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Understanding Wood Weight and Density
Knowing how much your lumber weighs is more than academic — it affects shipping costs, structural design, workability, and even what tools you'll need. This guide covers everything you need to know about wood density and weight calculations.
Why Wood Density Varies
Wood density is determined by the cellular structure of each species. Dense woods like ipe (ironwood) have thick cell walls packed tightly together, while light woods like balsa have thin cell walls with large air spaces. Key factors include:
- Species genetics: The single biggest factor in density
- Growth rate: Faster-growing trees tend to produce less dense wood (with exceptions)
- Climate and soil: Trees from harsh environments sometimes produce denser wood
- Position in tree: Heartwood is typically denser than sapwood
Moisture Content and Weight
Moisture content (MC) dramatically affects wood weight. The density values in our database are for air-dried wood at approximately 12% MC — the standard equilibrium moisture content for interior use in most of North America.
| Condition | Typical MC | Effect on Weight | |-----------|-----------|------------------| | Green (freshly cut) | 30-200% | 50-100% heavier than air-dried | | Air-dried | 12-15% | Standard reference weight | | Kiln-dried | 6-8% | ~5% lighter than air-dried | | Oven-dry | 0% | Lightest possible (lab only) |
Weight Classes of Wood
Ultralight (under 20 lb/ft³): Balsa, paulownia, basswood. Easy to carve and shape, but weak structurally.
Light (20-30 lb/ft³): Western red cedar, white pine, spruce. Good for siding, decking, framing where weight matters.
Medium (30-45 lb/ft³): Red oak, hard maple, walnut, cherry. The sweet spot for furniture and cabinetry.
Heavy (45-60 lb/ft³): Hickory, white oak, wenge. Excellent durability, harder to work.
Very Heavy (over 60 lb/ft³): Ipe, lignum vitae, cocobolo. Extremely durable, may sink in water. Requires carbide tooling.
Practical Weight Calculations
Here are some common scenarios where weight estimation matters:
Shipping lumber: Freight carriers charge by weight for LTL (less-than-truckload) shipments. A pallet of walnut boards can easily exceed 1,000 lbs.
Building shelves: A floating shelf holding books needs to support both its own weight and the load. Knowing the shelf weight helps size the mounting hardware correctly.
Deck construction: A 200-square-foot ipe deck weighs approximately 1,300 lbs in decking alone — significantly more than a cedar deck at around 500 lbs.